Instead, screaming at him, threatening him, it had poked at his anger and that was where the rows had started. And fuck . . . maybe Raven was right. Maybe Adam had been destroying him because towards the end, there hadn't even been any anger. Just . . . fear. He had stopped fighting back, and that . . .

"Ro?"

"Sorry," Ronan said softly. "Was just thinking."

"Did it hurt?"

"Aww, look at you stealing my lines. How original."

"You know us old geezers. Always trying to keep up with you whippersnappers."

"Hurry up and eat," Ronan said, rolling his eyes. "And don't forget to put your dentures in...