But it was the fifth man who grabbed my attention. His dark hair gleamed under the lights, the width of his shoulders, his imposing height, and the sound of his laughter easily identifying him. I gasped as I took him in.
It was Ronan. But a Ronan I never dreamed existed. He was dressed in an expensive suit, obviously custom tailored to his large form. A striped tie hung around his neck, perfectly knotted with a glittering pin holding it in place against his snowy shirt. Loafers encased his large feet, polished to a high gloss. An oversized silver watch was clasped around his wrist. His face was smooth, none of the scruff I was used to showing on his chin.
All the men looked too alike to be anything but brothers. The older man obviously their father. Even the more casually dressed one shouted money.
His name escaped my lips in a painful sound. “Ronan.”
They all stopped, looking my way. When he saw me, Ronan’s face drained of color, and his eyes grew round.
He stepped forward, and I pushed at the elevator button as my breathing picked up in my panic.
“Beth,” he pleaded quietly. “I can explain.”
I looked at the picture behind him.
BAM.
Bentley Ridge, Aiden Callaghan, Maddox Riley, it read under the frame.
Callaghan.
Ronan’s father. He was part of this wealthy company. From the looks of it, the entire family was.
I looked at him again. Construction workers didn’t dress in three-thousand-dollar suits. They didn’t work in fancy offices and wear watches that would pay for a car.
He’d been hiding his identity.
I felt the flicker of shame and anxiety when the obvious conclusion as to why became apparent.
A sense of déjà vu hit me. He was hiding me. I wasn’t good enough for him. Hurt and betrayal rolled through me.
He moved closer. “Please,” he murmured, holding out his hand. “Come with me.”
I shook my head, unable to talk, only needing to get away.
He stepped closer.
“Don’t.”
My hand flew up, and he stopped, his eyes beseeching. The other men stared at us, the one wearing the leather jacket shaking his head and looking upset.
I stumbled into the elevator, unable to think clearly. To process what was happening. Tears filled my eyes as pain lanced through my chest. I met his pleading gaze as the door shut.
I had been fooled again.
I hung my head, letting the tears fall.
* * *
I ran across the lobby, pushing open the door. I could barely see the steps through my tears, but I made it down, and for a moment, I stood, confused. I had to go to the library—I had work to do. But I wanted to go home. Lock myself in my room and figure this out before Evan got home.
Oh God, Evan. How was I going to tell him? It would break his heart.
With a sob, I turned to the right, heading toward the house. I needed time to think, so I would walk. I’d go in through the side door so Paige didn’t see me, and by the time she did, I would be calmer.
Except the sound of running footsteps and my name being shouted came from behind me. I began to hurry, trying to rush away from that voice. His voice.
A large hand closed around my elbow, forcing me to stop.
“Beth. Little bird, please.”
I spun, jerking my arm from his touch. “Don’t call me that,” I snarled. “Don’t you ever call me that again. I don’t want to talk to you, Ronan Callaghan. If that’s even your real name,” I spat.
“It is.”
“It’s the only thing that was real, wasn’t it?”
“No. Everything was real,” he insisted, his voice sounding thick and odd.
“Oh. Really?” I looked at him, blinking away the tears, ignoring the looks we were getting.
“So, you’re a construction worker?” I indicated his clothing. “Dressed like that?”
“I design buildings.”
“At your father’s company.”
“No. I work for ABC, not BAM. Well, not directly.”
I rolled my eyes. “Trying to figure out the lies, Ronan?”
He stepped closer. “Beth, come with me. I’ll tell you everything. Answer any question you want.”
“As if I could believe you?”
“Please,” he murmured. “I’m begging you. I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry because you got caught, you mean.”
“No. I was going to tell you. To explain. Give me a chance.”
I laughed, wiping my cheeks. “So you can lie some more?” I indicated the building behind us. “How are you going to explain me to your rich family, Ronan? Your little piece on the side? A joke?” I looked at him, suddenly feeling ill thinking of the odd times he would appear. “Oh God, you’re not married, are you? Was that your little fuck pad you took me to?”
“No!” He wrapped his hands around my upper arms. “Jesus, no, I’m not married. That is my condo.” He looked horrified. “I’m not hiding you away. Please, I need to explain it to you.”