Elena forces the last of the burp cloths into the drawer. “How about I bake you something to take with you?”
Ciara claps. “That’s a great idea!”
“You really don’t need to?—”
Riley shakes her head. “Don’t bother arguing. You will lose.”
Elena smiles. “Do your nieces like cupcakes or cookies?”
I laugh. “They like anything with sugar. Skye’s first thought after she found out her sister no longer needs to visit the hospital so often is that she’s going to miss the chocolate pudding.”
Elena shakes her head as she chuckles to herself. “I’ll whip up a chocolate pudding too.”
“Can you accidentally make two?” Riley suggests. “I’m quite partial to some chocolate pudding.”
“I swear, it’s like I’m living in a house full of children,” Elena grumbles under her breath, though her eyes shine with amusement.
Ciara laughs. “You’re only realizing this now? I mean, have you met Brennan?”
“Better make it three, Elena. You know how Brennan doesn’t like to share,” Riley says, and we all burst out laughing.
I soak in the sound, my chest so full it almost hurts. This is what family sounds like.
And one day, I hope Amber and Skye can be a part of it too.
Chapter Twenty-Two
CORMAC
Fiona isthe most animated I’ve seen her in a long time on the drive over to see her nieces. That is, until I park across the street and kill the engine.
She suddenly falls quiet, and I can see the nerves kick in from the way she twists her sleeve around her fingers and glances anxiously out of the window.
“Are you ready?” Though I sound calm, I feel anything but.
This Joe guy is a complete scumbag. And from the sounds of it, a bit of a live wire.
If I had it my way, I would storm into that house and take Amber and Skye home with us, but I’m not sure Fiona would be up for a kidnapping mission.
At least not today.
Fiona swallows as she glances out of the window at the house.
It’s pretty nondescript, with bay windows on either side of the pale blue front door and a minivan parked in the driveway.
It’s exactly the sort of place I would imagine a small family to live in, but considering Joe is harboring millions of dollars in secret bank accounts, I was expecting something a little more upmarket.
“Let’s do this,” Fiona finally says.
I reach for her seatbelt, and in the process, lean in to press a quick kiss to the corner of her mouth.
“I’m right here,” I murmur.
She nods again, offering me a small smile.
I climb out of the car, taking a moment to survey the surroundings before opening Fiona’s door.
The air is crisp, but the winter sun is in full force, causing us both to squint as we cross the street.
