In all the time I've spent with Declan, she's the one he mentions most. Not his parents. Not even Callum. Just her. They have a special bond, I suppose you would with your twin.
And unlike Callum's cold assessment, hers feels warmer, more curious.
"So you're the one," she says, still leaning against the doorframe, looking at me.
"Apparently," I say, my voice rough.
As I glance at her, I can't help but look her over. Where I feel haunted and hollow, she radiates life. Her jeans are high-waisted, her blouse crisp, and her skin flawless. No dark circles under her eyes, no trauma clinging to her like fog. She's got that kind of beauty that doesn't try too hard because it doesn't have to.
She looks like the kind of woman who wins and carries a natural confidence I envy. She's also taller than I expected.
"You saved his life," she says, not a question, but rather a statement.
I shrug, trying to play it down. "I did what anyone would do."
She raises an eyebrow. "Girl, that's bullshit." She laughs. "What you did? No. That's not just 'anyone.' He would've died without you. So, thank you."
The sincerity in her tone knocks the wind out of me.
I'm not sure what to say to that. I look down at my hands, still faintly stained with dried blood around the cuticle beds. I couldn't let him die. Not after everything. Not him. Not when I had the skills to save him. Not when his blood was literally on my hands.
"You're welcome," I say softly.
She steps farther into the room, looking more curious than suspicious now.
"Can I be up front with you?" she asks.
"Sure, everyone else has been," I say.
She smiles. "Callum's harmless. Most of the time. No, I mean, what's your story?"
"Like with the Albanians?"
"No," Keira shakes her head. "I don't want you to relive that shit. I mean with you now. Here. With my brother?"
I exhale, running a hand over the inside of my arm where the IV left a dull ache. "I don't. I don't know."
She nods, stepping further into the room. "Do you care for him? Is this just a fling? Need money? What?"
"Oh," I say, clearing my throat.
"Look, I'm not going to chastise you if you need some sex. Hell, I tell my best friend that all the time, though she wound up with a baby so maybe don't take my advice if you're not ready," she says, laughing.
That's not something I need to worry about.
"But I know what your story is on paper. I want to know what's your story up here," she says, pointing to her head.
"Well, I…." I pause. "Honestly. I like your brother. I have strong feelings for him, but I won't lie. I also need money, which is why I decided to work for him. As for this being just a fling, I guess you'd have to ask him."
"Fair enough," Keira says.
"But I did NOT have anything to do with what happened, at least I don't think so."
"That's what he claims," she says, arms folded now. "But you know how it looks, right? Albanian past, mystery nurse, sudden attack on my brother right after he suddenly decides to take out the head of the Albanian family around here, so..."
Oh, I wasn't sure she knew about that. I wasn't sure who Declan told.
"Yes, but?—"
