*Warning* This part is particular has harrassment towards the fl. Be advised.

•••

The bar was alive with energy, with laughter, music, and clinking glasses creating a vibrant atmosphere. People were dancing, lost in the rhythm of the night, while others engaged in animated conversations. Amidst the chaos, Ronan and Mathew sat at the bar, their drinks in hand.

Mathew leaned in slightly, a drink in his hand, a look of genuine concern on his face. "How's your arm today?" he asked, referring to the gunshot wound Ronan had sustained a week ago.

Ronan shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "It's healing," he replied nonchalantly. "Still aches a bit, but nothing I can't handle."

Mathew nodded, satisfied with the response but still worried. "You should take it easy for a while, you know. Let it heal properly."

Ronan chuckled, taking a sip of his whiskey, and shaking his head. "You know me, Mat. I can't sit still for too long. Besides, there's too much going on right now to take a break."

Both of them talked for a moment when the older one glanced behind the younger. "There's a girl checking you out at the end of the bar and she's hot."

"She's good," Ronan replied as he turned his head back. "But I'm not interested."

Mathew raised a brow, intrigued. "Oh, really? That sounds like there might be someone specific you want to see or talk to."

Ronan met his friend's gaze, his expression deliberately blank. "It's not like that. I... have a lot on my mind. Can't afford distractions."

He couldn't reveal who he wanted to see again. Rosetta. The woman had been on his mind since the night they spent together but Mathew had no idea.

His friend chuckled, shaking his head. "Or maybe there is a distraction?"

Ronan would have replied when his pockets buzzed, indicating a call. "Yes sir?" he asked as soon as he picked up.

"Ronan meet me at the house in a few," the man hung up as he replied while Ronan sighed, finishing his drink and standing up.

"Let's go. Our duty awaits," he said as he put his phone back in his pocket and they both left the bar together.

Meanwhile, Rosetta wandered the streets, the evening air was crisp and cool, the fading light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the pavement. The sky was painted with hues of deep orange and soft pink, a tranquil backdrop to the otherwise quiet cityscape.

She pulled her jacket tighter around her, feeling the chill of the evening settle in. The streets were eerily empty, the usual hustle and bustle of the day replaced by an almost unsettling stillness. Street lights flickered on, one by one, casting pools of warm light that illuminated her path.

The streets were growing darker as Rosetta continued her search for a place to stay. The once picturesque evening had taken on an ominous feel, with the shadows deepening and the silence becoming more oppressive. As she wandered, her mind preoccupied with finding shelter, she failed to notice the three men who had started to follow her.

Their voices cut through the quiet, crude, and mocking. "Hey, sweetheart, where are you going all alone?" one of them called out, his tone dripping with malice. Rosetta's heart began to pound, and she quickened her pace, hoping to lose them.

"Don't ignore us, honey!" another taunted, the laughter of his companions echoing in the empty street. Rosetta felt a surge of fear, her steps faltering as tears welled up in her eyes. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing the men closing in, their intentions clear in their predatory gazes.

"Leave me alone!" she yelled and she broke into a run, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The men's footsteps pounded behind her, their jeers growing louder. "Get back here!" one shouted, his voice filled with cruel amusement. Rosetta's vision blurred with tears, her mind racing with thoughts of escape.

Suddenly, headlights flooded the street as a car turned the corner. In her desperation to get away, Rosetta didn't see it until it was too late. The vehicle struck her with a jarring thud, and she fell to the ground, pain shooting through her body. She lay there, dazed and on the brink of unconsciousness, as the men stopped short, their expressions shifting from predatory to fearful.

The car screeched to a halt, and Ronan leaped out, his heart racing with a mix of shock and concern. Mathew followed closely, his eyes scanning the scene. "Rosetta?" Ronan called out, recognizing her immediately. He dropped to his knees beside her, checking for signs of serious injury as he cupped her bloodied cheek.

The three men, seeing the arrival of the car and its occupants, exchanged nervous glances before turning and fleeing into the night. Ronan's eyes narrowed as he watched them go, but his immediate concern was Rosetta.

"Matt, we have to get her to the hospital now!" He yelled as Matt nodded and Ronan gently lifted Rosetta into his arms, carrying her to the car and placing her carefully in the backseat.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Ronan and Mathew hurriedly exited the car, carefully lifting Rosetta out and placing her on a stretcher brought out by the hospital staff. As she was wheeled away, Ronan's worry was etched deeply on his face, his eyes never leaving her as she disappeared through the swinging doors of the emergency room.

"Who is she?" Mathew finally asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern as they stood in the sterile, brightly lit corridor.

Ronan ran a hand through his hair, his usual composed demeanor cracking. "Her name is Rosetta," he replied, his voice strained. "I know her... we've met before."

Mathew raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story, but refrained from pressing further. Instead, he placed a reassuring hand on Ronan's shoulder. "Looks like you care about her. Don't worry she'll be okay."

Ronan nodded absently, his mind racing with worry. He paced the corridor, his thoughts a chaotic swirl of guilt and fear. Why does it scare me? Should it scare me?

Mathew watched his friend's distress with a mixture of sympathy and confusion. He had never seen Ronan this shaken before, not even in the most dangerous situations they had faced together. It was clear it was something more than just his worry.

Finally, a doctor approached, his expression professional yet kind. "She's stable," he said, addressing Ronan. "She has a mild concussion and a few bruises, but nothing life-threatening. She should wake up soon."

Ronan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, doctor."

"You should be really careful with her. The baby's okay but she's weak, she needs a lot of energy to survive," the doctor stated, handing Ronan some paperwork to fill out as his eyes widened in confusion.

"Excuse me?" he asked while sharing a glance with a bewildered Mathew. "What baby?"

The doctor looked at Ronan and then at Mathew. "She's pregnant. I assumed one of you is the father."

Mathew opened his mouth in amusement, quickly recovering from the shock. "Yes, one of us is the father."

"Alright well, she is 2 weeks pregnant and the baby is healthy. You can meet her in a while when she wakes up," he said before walking away.

Ronan's mind raced, struggling to process the revelation. He stared at the paperwork in his hands, his thoughts a chaotic mess. Mathew, still trying to grasp the situation, turned to Ronan with a mixture of surprise and concern.

"So, you're the father?" Mathew asked, his tone incredulous yet supportive.

"Look, it's not confirmed if it's me," he said while his friend chuckled. "What?"

"I knew you liked someone. I just never assumed it'd be her," Mathew confessed as Ronan sighed, not knowing what else to say.

The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air as Ronan and Mathew entered Rosetta's hospital room. The soft beeping of medical equipment provided a constant, rhythmic backdrop. Rosetta lay on the bed, her face pale but peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that had led her here. Her eyes fluttered open, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings before settling on Ronan and Mathew.

"Ronan?" she whispered, her voice weak and filled with confusion. "What happened? Why am I here?"

Ronan stepped closer to her bed, his expression a mix of relief and worry. "You were in a car accident," he explained gently, trying to keep his voice calm. "But you're okay now. You're safe."

Rosetta's brow furrowed as she tried to recall the events leading up to her hospitalization, but her memory remained hazy. She shifted to sit up slightly, wincing at the discomfort to which he helped. "I don't remember," she admitted, her eyes searching Ronan's for answers.

Mathew stood back, giving them space, but his presence was a silent support for Ronan.

"That's alright Rose, you don't have to worry," he said softly, making her gulp. "Besides, what were you doing out in your condition?"

Her expression froze and her blood ran cold. Had he known? Fuck, what do I do? Her silence confirmed his doubt.

"Rose I know you're pregnant," Ronan started as he passed a hand through his brown hair, closing his eyes for a moment. Mathew left the room to give them both privacy as he shut the door slowly.

Ronan moved closer, sitting beside her on the bed. "Is it mine?" he asked softly, his tone gentle but filled with concern.

Rosetta's lip quivered, and tears began to stream down her face. She covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed by the situation. "I don't know how to respond," she sobbed. "I'm so scared, Ronan."

Ronan's heart ached to see her like this. He gently pulled her into his arms, letting her cry against his chest. "Hey, it's okay," he murmured, stroking her hair soothingly. "We'll figure this out together. I'm here for you, no matter what."

After a few moments, Rosetta pulled back, wiping her tears away. She took a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. "My father kicked me out," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I have nowhere to go."

Ronan's expression hardened with anger at the thought of her being abandoned, but he kept his voice calm and reassuring. "You can come with me," he said firmly. "I have a place where you'll be safe. It's where I live with my gang members. They're good people, and we'll take care of you."

Rosetta looked at him with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Absolutely," Ronan replied, his eyes filled with determination. "You and the baby will be safe with me. I'll make sure of it."

A/N

Another part! How is this series going? Do you like Mathew?

I hope you enjoyed! Please vote and comment. It takes me a lot of time to write so at least voting and commenting is smth you can do :)

See ya soon!

xoxo

-lily