Page 135 of Bound Lies

“Don’t curse, we’re in a hospital. Why don’t you go and make yourself useful by running and getting us some coffee?”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

Brennan looks like he’s about to argue, but then he catches the look on Ronan’s face and thinks better of it.

Once his footsteps have disappeared out of earshot, I lean against the wall and run a hand through my hair.

“Play nice with Brennan,” Ronan warns. “He works hard.”

“I always do.”

Ronan’s lips twitch, and we stand in silence for a moment, listening to the faint beeping sounds of monitors and the announcements in the overhead speakers.

But when Ronan’s eyes burn on me, I look over and frown. “What?”

“You’ve changed.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re thinking more.” He’s still looking at me with the sort of intensity that our father used to look at Ronan with.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, you’re using less brute force and more strategy. A few months ago, if you rocked up at Sean’s estate, it would have ended with at least half a dozen men in body bags. Instead, you took the time to find leverage and gave him an ultimatum. You probably saved a lot of lives today, Kieran.”

“Don’t remind me.”

Ronan chuckles under his breath. “Maturity looks good on you.”

Just then, Ciara’s door opens, and Riley appears, wearing a huge smile on her face.

When her eyes lock with mine, I find myself smiling back despite the weight resting heavily on my shoulders.

“For once, things are going right,” I say to Ronan before crossing over to Riley and wrapping her up in my arms.

All I can hope for is that it lasts. Because if there's one thing I’ve learned in this life, it’s that it never stays quiet for long.

Chapter Thirty-One

RILEY

I’m perched at the kitchen island with my laptop open in front of me, bouncing my leg as I stare at the university portal on the screen.

The cursor blinks in the password box, taunting me for being such a coward.

“I feel sick.”

Kieran stands in front of the coffee machine grinding beans, wearing nothing but a pair of black joggers slung low on his hips.

I’m so stressed by the academic life-or-death moment I’m about to face that I can’t even find it in me to admire how good he looks.

“Are you sure caffeine is a good idea right now?” He leans against the counter, folding his arms over his muscled chest.

But when I stare daggers at him, he quickly pulls a second mug out of the cupboard and pours some milk into the jug to froth. “So demanding.”

“I’m allowed to be. For all I know, this day could be my last.”