His New Obsession

Ronan sat back in his office chair, a lit cigarette between his lips, while he poured over a file in his hands. He looked over at Blaze who was doing back spins with his pen while checking reports of their latest heist. The rest of his men were meticulously cleaning their weapons while discussing their new English rivals that seemed to have popped out of nowhere. The stakes had never felt higher and Ronan could feel the weight of it all settling on his shoulders.

But, all of that paled in comparison, as his mind kept wondering back to his Little Enchantress. The name seemed fitting, she had enchanted him without saying a word. The way her small pink lips curved into a soft smile, the way her Bambi eyes sparkled with mischief and excitement, the softness of her silky chocolate brown hair. Everything about her seemed to drive him wild.

Blaze and the others had caught the soft smile and slightly dazed look Ronan’s face, exchanged looks of amusement and surprise. Ronan, a picture of composure and focus, now looked as if cupid’s arrow had pierced him straight in his cold heart.

“Earth to boss,” Blaze waved his hand inn front of Ronan’s face, but when that didn’t work he shook him, “Hey, lover boy!”

Ronan, finally snapped out of his trance, looked at his friend with a deadpanned expression but his eyes held a hint of annoyance, “What?”

His crew burst out laughing while others seemed to smirk knowingly, “I think our boss is a little occupied with the thoughts of a certain mystery girl,” Marco nudged Blaze with his elbow.

“You mean his Little Enchantress,” Blaze corrected.

The men squealed like school girls, the hardened criminals turning into a puddle at the thought of their formidable leader finally finding love. Ronan glared at them but there was no heat behind it, although a possessiveness coursed through his veins, he’d rather they didn’t talk about her. She was his, whether she knew it or not.

“Ronan, as much as we’re excited for you. Don’t let her distract you from what really matters,” Luca, always the voice of reason, spoke up.

The ghost of a smile that had graced Ronan’s lips faded, “I am perfectly capable of doing two things at once.”

Blaze turned serious too, “Just be careful, man. Our job doesn’t allow weaknesses. Last thing we need is her throwing you off your game.”

“She is not a weakness! And I am not weak!” he snapped, his tone was harsher than intended. He took a deep breath, “I appreciate you all looking out for me. But, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and protecting all of you. Now, get back to work we have a lot to take care of.”

With that they all get back to doing what they were doing before. Ronan tried to keep his head in the game, but he had a hard time. He couldn’t afford any slip-ups. He had an empire to run and he would do everything in his power to make sure it’s all smooth sailing, although in his world, smooth sailing was a luxury not everyone could afford.

Ronan cleared his throat gaining everyone’s attention, “Right, Luca. Take a team with you. I want ears on the ground and reports hourly. Dismissed.”

Everyone quickly packed their things away and left the office leaving him alone with Blaze. Ronan lit another cigarette and offered one to Blaze which he took gratefully and quickly lit it before taking a drag.

“Blaze, do me a solid and-”

“Consider it done, boss,” Blaze winked.

Ronan nodded, “I owe you.”

“Brothers don’t owe each other anything.”

Ronan and Blaze grew up together as Blaze’s father was Ronan’s father’s right hand man. So when it came to Ronan taking over he already knew who he wanted beside him.

“Want me to hire a few guys to protect her too?” Blaze asks.

“No. I don’t trust anyone to keep her safe apart from me,” Ronan says stuffing his hands in his trouser pockets.

“Ron, you can’t keep an eye on her 24/7 mate. Hire a couple of guys you trust,” he reasons.

Ronan wants to argue but he knows Blaze is right, “Okay. I trust you to find me someone suitable.”

“Won’t let you down, boss,” Blaze smiles.

“You never do, brother,” Ronan replies.

“And I never will. You alright though? You look confused and Ronan Knight is never confused,” Blaze sits on the edge of my desk.

Ronan sighs softly and goes to stand by the window, he looks at the city below as he takes a drag from his forgotten cigarette held between two fingers.

“Am I doing the right thing? We’re the Mafia for crying out loud. what if I’m in over my head with this girl?” he asks. “She’s too innocent, Blaze. Last thing I want is to snub her light and replace it with the darkness that often surrounds me.”

“Yeah. But we’re the good guys. Northern Ireland is now becoming drug, crime and gang free every passing day,” Blaze points out.

“Good guys or not, Blaze. I’m still a killer,” Ronan’s voice takes on a more self loathing note.

Blaze expression darkens slightly, “Now you listen to me Ronan Alistair Knight if it weren’t for you then Northern Ireland would probably be up in flames. Yes, we’re killers. Yes, we’re the Mafia. But we are doing exactly what the police ain’t! We are turning this place for the better. Haven’t you seen the news? Drug rates, knife crime, violence, everything has gone down significantly all thanks to who? You. Who got rid of all those sex trafficking rings? You. Who took down the biggest players? You. Rapists, murderers, domestic violence perpetrators. All taken down by none other than you, mate.”

Ronan’s eyes widen as he blinks slightly taken aback, he knew his best friend was protective of him but he had never seen this fierce side of him, “I think I needed to hear that.”

“It was about bloody time too. What we cannot see, you do. We’ve seen the way you pour over CCTV cameras to make sure that everyone in Northern Ireland are safe, and if they’re not then you take care of the problem. Two wrongs may not make a right, but a wrong and a right don’t make a right either, there is still going to be a wrong somewhere in the equation,” Blaze says.

“I think you’re wasting away here. You should be a philosopher,” Ronan jokes.

“Ah, if I left. Who would keep you lot in check?” Blaze ruffles Ronan’s hair making him swat his hand.

“Fair point. But, you could have said that without messing up my hair.”

“Ah, where’s the fun in that? You’re like my baby brother, it’s my job to annoy the crap out of you. She’s different isn’t she? The way you look at her, the way you act when you think about her. She’s changing you, but in a good way. I approve,” Blaze nods.

I sighed in relief, if Blaze approves of her that means I have his endless support in pursuing this connection.

“Alright. I’m going to do a little research on her, find out more and make sure that she doesn’t have a boyfriend, if she does then…” Blaze chuckles.

Ronan lets out a laugh, “Just scare him away. No need to get your hands dirty for my sake.”

Blaze pouted, “Just one broken finger.”

“No,” Ronan deadpanned.

“You’re no fun,” he whined.

“Get out of here,” he laughed and Blaze complied albeit reluctantly.

Ronan watched him leave and wished he and Blaze were real brothers. He had a younger brother; Rory but he was a right bastard. While Ronan was trying his hardest to make the world a safer place, Rory was ruining it. As soon as Ronan went into power, he cut off all ties with Rory and burnt all bridges, last he heard of Rory was when he was in a million dollar debt with a few shady men. Ronan being the protective older brother he was repaid the debts his brother owed and told the men to leave Rory alone after that he never heard of his brother and half hopes he changed his ways but is half convinced his younger brother is dead in a ditch somewhere in Illinois.

Ronan’s phone pings and he gets a video sent from Marco. It shows a group of girls being taken out of a van, the video is grainy but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the girls are between the ages of 10-15 the eldest being maybe 16 from her height, but he could be wrong.

A deep growl reverberates in Ronan’s chest and he’s so close to launching his phone out the window. Disgust wars with unadulterated anger.

“Blaze!” he roars and Blaze walks in wearing the same hard expression as Ronan.

“I know. Let’s go get ‘em fuckers and blast them to oblivion,” Blaze growls.

Ronan smirks while grabbing his sidearm and checking the cartridge for bullets before grabbing a few extra magazines as well.