a third note showed up, and we no longer had a choice. Vance had come up with a plan and arranged for the private jet. My stomach had been an impossible twist of knots the entire flight over, but when I saw Ronan on the plane, it cruelly felt like I was taking my first full breath in ten years.
Addressing Vance, André Luna crossed his arms. “How did the notes get past your security?”
“It’s security hired for the tour,” I corrected. “Not anyone from Mr. Trefor’s company. I called him in after I received the first note.” Feeling Ronan’s eyes on me as sure as if he was touching me, I couldn’t bring myself to look at him as I defended his brother.
Mr. Luna asked the next question without hesitation. “Do you know who it is?”
“No,” Vance lied.
Mr. Luna’s eyes narrowed. “No leads?”
“Nothing solid,” Vance replied dismissively. “But we’re working on it. That’s where you and Ronan come in.”
Mr. Luna stared at Vance for a moment, then he glanced at Adam before looking back at Vance. “Trefor has people for this.”
“Demo’s on assignment,” Adam interjected. “The handful of other people I know who are qualified to handle this are active duty. That only leaves one other person I know who can identify what we’re dealing with and find this bomber’s signature.” Adam looked at Ronan. “We have the detonation devices from the defused bombs for analysis. This is in your wheelhouse.”
Staring at me with his eyes that weren’t green or brown, Ronan quietly spoke to Adam. “Homeland Security has qualified people.”
“I am not involving the authorities in this.” I knew what would happen.
André pointed out the obvious. “If there’s an explosion at one of your concerts, you won’t have a choice. Many agencies will get involved.”
“That’s why I need help.” I hated asking, but I especially hated asking Ronan. “I need to protect my fans and stop this before anything bad happens.”
The angles of his exquisite face sharper than when he was younger, and his impassive expression even more difficult to read, Ronan’s intense stare continued to hold me captive as this time he spoke directly to me. “Vance has already defused two bombs.”
I felt the words as if they were a physical blow. Nothing in Ronan’s aloof manner changed, and maybe it was all in my head, but I shrank from his statement as if he were accusing me of a reproachable offense. Which I was absolutely guilty of. Being here with his brother, after what had happened ten years ago, it wasn’t honorable.
Before I could reply, Vance gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Yes, well, not without difficulty and sheer luck. Which, frankly, I’m hoping to not have to push that luck again.”
Looking as if he was put out, André turned his attention to Adam. “You should’ve called me before this meeting, Trefor.”
Pouring on the charm, Vance smiled and answered before Adam could. “My apologies. I jumped the gun and beat him to it.” His expression turning serious again, he absently took my hand as he glanced between André and Ronan. “We could really use both of you on this.”
Shifting out of his hold, I fought back a mountain of regret as I selfishly, greedily stared at the only man I’d ever given my heart to. “I’m asking for your help, Ronan.”
Luna tipped his chin at Trefor and Vance before turning his attention to Sanaa. “Miss Narine, Mr. Conlon and I will confer and get back to you by end of business today.” Glancing at me, he turned toward the exit.
I stood.
“Ronan.”
No other woman had ever said my name like she did. Her voice had changed from a girl’s to woman’s in ten years, but it was still the same—sultry, lilting, deeper than you expected when you looked at her.
I gave her my attention.
Her dark eyes pleading, she did the same thing she did the last time I saw her before everything went to hell. She begged. “Please.”
My brother next to her, touching her back, holding her hand, his thigh pressed against hers—I wasn’t angry. I was fucking irrational.
“We’ll be in touch,” Luna reiterated, answering Sanaa.
Silas appeared and opened the door before scanning the airport. “Clear.”
His customary smile missing, Vance stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
With one last glance at Sanaa, I went down the airstairs.
Luna paused on the tarmac, and I stood next to him as Vance joined us.
“Give us a minute,” Vance directed Luna.
Luna played hardball. “Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of me.”