In Too Deep

Epilogue

Ronan tugged at the tie that strangled him. This was why he’d never considered a job that required wearing a suit. He stood with his family at a bogus grave as they finally said goodbye to their father. Most of the neighborhood had turned out. Some just for the gossip, but most because they wanted to support the Doyle family.

Chloe stood by his side, holding his hand as the priest said prayers. Even the McCarthys were in attendance and they hadn’t given Ronan one dirty look. Mr. McCarthy shook his hand and Mrs. McCarthy offered a smile, stiff as it might’ve been.

Many of the old-timers from Cahill came to the service. Ronan watched them from behind his sunglass and wondered if any of them would now come forward with more information. He tuned out the prayers and responses and just studied the people in attendance.

When it was done, he stood beside Brendan and his mother, shook hands, and accepted hugs. He nodded as people told him what a beautiful service it was and how they should finally find peace. As Gavin and Killian walked their mother to the car, he and Brendan stayed back by the grave.

Chloe went to pull away, but he held her tight. “You can stay. You’ve been in this since near the beginning.”

“And it’s time now for you guys to step back,” Brendan said.

“Fuck no.”

Brendan blew out a slow breath. “You’re moving on. Starting a fresh life with each other. It’s my turn to take the reins of this now. I don’t want this to continue to hold you back. We lost you for a long time and now that you’re back, we want you to stay. I’m asking you to trust me to see this to the end.”

“You think I’m just going to walk away? Keep working for Cahill knowing his father had a hand in something that took mine from me?”

“I’ll keep you in the loop, but no, I don’t want you to keep working for Danny if it’s going to cost you. You’ve done enough. Let me take over.”

Ronan kicked at the soft earth. “I don’t know that I can just walk away.”

“If you don’t, you might lose more.”

“What about you?”

“My life has been my job. I haven’t done anything to cause me to lose that.”

Suddenly Ronan was struck by how lonely his life had been before he began dating Chloe and let Declan move in. Having people in his life had helped with the struggles of searching for answers. He nodded. “I’m here whenever you need anything. And I’ll stick at Cahill for a while longer. Danny thinks he’s watching me, but he’s the one who’ll be in the public eye running for office.”

“I know. And when I need your help, I’ll ask.”

“Or demand. That’s usually your method.”

“Comes with the territory of being the oldest.”

“You’re barely a year older than me.”

Chloe squeezed his hand. “Trust me. There’s no arguing with the logic of the oldest siblings. Let him believe he runs the world. Let’s join the rest of your family.”

Ronan and Chloe walked to his truck. “How’s everyone else handling all of this?”

He looked ahead to where his siblings were all piling into cars. “I’m not sure. Declan is having a hard time and he knew before the others. When I told him I believed Dad was dead, it hit Declan hard. For some reason in his mind, Dad ran off. I don’t know if somehow that was easier to believe or what. But knowing that it wasn’t Dad’s choice to leave us...he’s struggling with that.”

“It’s gotta be hard. Regardless of what they thought, to have confirmation makes it real.”

“Nessa is probably handling it best. She was so young when he disappeared. She lived her whole childhood without a father. The twins aren’t saying anything. At least not to me. But they’ve always been like that. They turn to each other first.”

“What about Gavin?”

“Gavin’s quiet too. He’s probably pouring himself into his work. We’ll turn around one day and Gavin will pop up with a museum’s worth of art. He processes things with his hands.”

She hugged his arm. “You know, for someone who supposedly stayed away from his family for years, isolating himself for whatever strange reason, you know them all really well.”

“Yeah, I guess I do. They’re all I’ve got.”

“That’s not true. Now you have me, too. We’re in this together.”

“I love you.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She was definitely the best addition to his life.

Declan walkedthrough his brother’s kitchen and admired his handiwork. Ronan hadn’t believed he could build and install the custom cabinets. But they looked damn good.

And he got them done just in time. Although Ronan hadn’t said anything, Declan knew that he wanted Chloe to move in. He hadn’t told Declan to move out, even though Declan pretty much had just become a squatter. But with all of the information that had come to light recently, he knew it was time to go.

He had his duffel packed and sitting at his feet. He snapped some pictures of the finished product as proof of what he was capable of when he put his mind to it.

Chloe and Ronan came through the front door discussing something in loud tones. Not an argument really, heated, but in a light way. He put his phone away as they came into the kitchen carrying bags of groceries.

“Declan, can you please tell your brother that there’s no way that oatmeal cookies are better than chocolate chip. Everyone knows that chocolate chip is the universe’s best cookie.”

“Never argue with your woman over inconsequential shit,” he said to Ronan. “Looks like I still need to give you lessons on how to treat a lady.”

“I do just fine.” Ronan’s gaze landed on Declan’s bag. “Going somewhere?”