Ronan: The O'Hanlon Family Trilogy Book Three: Social Rejects Syndicate: The O'Hanlon Family Trilogy, #3

By Theresa Sederholt

RONAN

My entire life has been manipulated by other's lies and secrets. Choices have been taken out of my hands before I even knew they existed. Loved ones have been ripped from my life.

Yet, somehow, I am supposed to guide others down the road of forgiveness.

I am Father Ronan O'Hanlon, but I may not be for long. Situations have arisen that are making me consider walking away from a calling I never got in the first place. Where will I go, though? Fall in full swing with my birthright as a member of the O'Hanlon family, where I can master the art of secrets and lies?

All I've known is the Church, my parishioners, and the women I've blessed with my own holy spirit. I don't know how to be anything but the collar around my neck. All I can do is pray for a miracle for my family and guidance for me.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Theresa Sederholt
• Release date: Jul 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201073732

Theresa Sederholt

If you love Nutella…we’re already friends. I’m Theresa Sederholt, and I like writing. More than that, I love to tell stories. I write in multiple genres, but my heart, my passion, lies in writing stories that connect to those that have withstood dramatic personal experiences. I want to bring awareness and understanding by dealing with subject matter that is intimidating to navigate. On the flip side, I also like to whip up a steamy romance filled with suspense and sprinkled with mystery. Keeping you guessing with a twist here and there makes me happy. When I’m not writing, I’m cooking with my amazing husband, spoiling my dogs, or enjoying the rolling hills of North Carolina that are my backyard. If you would like to contact me, you can find me on any of the following social media platforms or feel free to email me at: [e-mail] Website: http://bit.ly/2JOBg9TAuthorWebsite Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/2LO66knAmazonAuthorPage Twitter: http://bit.ly/2sWKHO1Twitter Instagram: http://bit.ly/2JYrSn4Instagram Facebook: http://bit.ly/2JD0GGeTheresaSederholtFacebookAuthorPage

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Ronan The O’Hanlon Family Trilogy

Copyright© 2021by Theresa Sederholt

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in the book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book contains strong language, and violence. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.

Publisher: Theresa Sederholt©

Author: Theresa Sederholt

Cover designer: Taylor Dawn

Formatter: Stacey Blake, Champagne Book Design

Editor: Jacquelyn Ayres

Title Page

Copyright

About This Book

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Epilogue

Reading List

Other Books

About the Author

RONAN

My entire life has been manipulated by other’s lies and secrets. Choices have been taken out of my hands before I even knew they existed. Loved ones have been ripped from my life.

Yet, somehow, I am supposed to guide others down the road of forgiveness.

I am Father Ronan O’Hanlon, but I may not be for long. Situations have arisen that are making me consider walking away from a calling I never got in the first place. Where will I go, though? Fall in full swing with my birthright as a member of the O’Hanlon family, where I can master the art of secrets and lies?

All I’ve known is the Church, my parishioners, and the women I’ve blessed with my own holy spirit. I don’t know how to be anything but the collar around my neck. All I can do is pray for a miracle for my family and guidance for me.

This book is dedicated to the researchers that are trying every day to put an end to Alzheimer's and dementia. To the people that are living with it, and to those who have lost their battle. To the healthcare professionals and the caregivers, I’m thankful for your dedication and patience to helping these families.

Ronan

It’s amazing how one small turn of events can change your entire life. Well, I guess a pregnancy is not such a small event. Months have passed since Patrick disappeared without a trace. Brigid prays for him every night before she goes to bed. Savanna has put up a brave front, especially when she is around Brigid, but it’s not always easy. I’ve waited and prayed for Ciarán to come up with some sort of plan, but he’s got nothing. Hell, he won’t even talk about it anymore.

I’ve been praying for God to guide me through these terrible times. I asked Savanna to meet me at the church before baseball practice. I can only hope I’m doing the right thing.

I leave the rectory and head into the church. I find Savanna by the candles, praying. I kneel down next to her and begin to pray for answers; same as I do every day. Finally, she puts away her rosary beads and smiles at me. I get up and offer her my hand. I notice she’s gotten a little bump, and as excited as I am for her, I’m sad for my brother. I’m sad for all the things he’s going to miss. We walk up towards the altar and take a seat.

You wanted to see me about something?

Yes, since there is never any privacy at home, I thought this would be a good place.

Have you learned anything new about Patrick? Her eyes filled with hope.

No, nothing new. I feel that your pregnancy is moving along quickly and it’s not something you should be doing on your own. I have been thinking about this for a while. I think you and I should get married. At this, she gasps as her eyes open wide. Savanna, just hear me out, I plead.

Well, knowing you and the story you shared with me, this should be one hell of a plan. She bites her lip, obviously holding back the urge to laugh.

Patrick will always be not just my brother but my best friend. He is a loyal man and would lay down his life for me. Yes, I’m a priest with a questionable past and an uncertain future. The only thing I do know is that your baby should not be brought into this world without a father. If the shoe was on the other foot, Patrick would step up. Hell, he showed that when he stepped up to marry you. I don’t mean that in a bad way. You needed help . . . protection, and he was your white knight. I need to do the same now.

What did Ciarán say about all of this?

I didn’t tell him, and, by his on-going attitude, I don’t think he really gives a shit. Besides, he was the one who suggested it when you told us you were pregnant. I reach into my pocket and pull out a ring. I tried to think of everything, Savanna. Will you marry me? I ask.

She stares at the ring like touching it might burn her. She takes my hand as a lone tear runs down her cheek. Ronan, as sweet and as noble as this is, I can’t marry you. My heart belongs to Patrick. I don’t think marrying you would be fair to you or this baby. I want a family not just someone I’m sharing a child with. Ciarán suggested it’s safest for me to stay at the house, so that’s what I plan on doing. I found out today that it’s a boy. In my heart I believe Patrick is coming home . . . home to me and his son. She leans over and kisses me on the cheek and then she leaves. I thought I had all the answers. I prayed to God that I was making the right decision. Instead, nothing turned out like I planned. I head back to my office in the rectory. I sit behind my desk and as I stare at the ring, lost in my thoughts, there is a light knock on the door.

Come in, I barely get the words out. The door opens and Renee steps in. She is the woman that Savanna found me in the confessional with. How ironic is this moment? The woman I would give up my gigolo ways for said no and Renee, the woman who, no doubt would jump at the chance, steps in. She drops her coat to the floor and kneels before me naked. Isn’t life a bitch?

Ronan

When I was in the seminary, I read the Bible every day. I couldn’t absorb it fast enough. Now I find every time I read a passage, I get something different than I did before. It almost feels like it’s a live book that keeps changing to meet my needs.

I never struggled with my infidelities until Savanna found out the truth. She has me questioning my reasons for accepting this path I’ve been on all these years. I should have told her the whole truth. I was part of a deal that Red brokered. A deal that—to this day—I only know a little bit about. Red made sure I didn’t know the details of the deal. I’m pretty sure Ciarán knows—he knows everything. Who knows . . . maybe that has some part in why he hates any organized religion. Instead of telling her the whole truth, I sugarcoated it, putting most of the blame on me. By doing that, I continue to protect my father. It’s ironic; after all these years I’m still seeking his approval, knowing that will never happen. Yes, I got caught with my pants down and my dick in Darlene’s mouth, however, after my dad died, her husband Ian came to me and forgave me. Even though he was part of the church choir and had to see me all the time, he still forgave me. He said he realized I was a teenager with raging hormones. He told me if I wanted to leave the church, he wouldn’t stop me. He actually asked me to forgive him! That made me realize there was more to it than I ever knew. I thanked him and spent a long time thinking about what I should do. Do I stay or do I go? I have been doing something that my heart was never into. I have a great setup here, though. I have actually been helping people. On top of that, the ladies are always practically lining up to fuck me. I couldn’t walk away from that. That is until today. I was willing to walk away from all of it to marry Savanna. I want to protect my family. Instead, she turned me down. I know the women will continue to line up to fuck me, yet, I’m miserable to the core.

Savanna

Well today has been quite an interesting day, to say the least. Last year at this time, I was planning my nuptials with Dax. One year later, Dax is dead because of his own greed and stupidity. I married Ciarán in a fake wedding that was supposed to save his sister’s life; that was a bust. I was planning to marry Patrick, whom I can honestly say I was falling in love with, when he went missing. Now, I get a marriage proposal from the last standing brother, who is a priest of all things. On top of all of this, I’m pregnant with Patrick’s son. The only male heir to the O’Hanlon family business. The only grandson of Jason Aiello, which would not only put him first in line to take over daddy’s business, it would make him the most wanted man in the world. It makes me wonder what else could possibly go wrong.

No one talks about Patrick’s disappearance except Brigid. She misses her uncle every day. The child has experienced two major losses in her young life. Other than the hope that Patrick will be found, Brigid is the reason I stay here. We are not related by blood, but our bond is deeper. She is who I was at that age: a very sad, lonely little girl. A girl who has to live her life within a bubble for her safety. I’m hoping she