Page 154 of Deceived Wrath

My stomach drops. “What about her sister?”

“Thought you said you were busy?”

“Tell me again why I decided to hire you?”

“Do you want the information or not?”

“I’ll meet you tonight. When?”

“Eleven. I’m downtown anyway. There’s that place on Holloway Road. We can talk there.” He hangs up.

I grit my teeth so hard my jaw aches as Kieran’s voice immediately hijacks my thoughts.

You don’t know anything.

Something cold and unwelcome coils in my gut, because while today has led to nothing but dead ends in terms of finding Lorcan, it has made one thing painfully clear.

I’m dangerously invested in a woman I barely know.

Chapter Thirty-Three

FIONA

After Cormac’ssubtle warning this morning, I’ve been on the verge of throwing up all day. Just hearing him say Lorcan’s name has me running to the bathroom.

I can’t keep doing this, claiming to be on both sides when the reality is Lorcan has me wrapped in chains. Even if I wanted to run, he would find me, and I’m not stupid enough to think he would be merciful and kill me quickly. He would make examples out of the people I care about the most, taking them apart piece by piece, but keeping me alive so I can drown in the grief.

I brace my hands against the sink and stare at my reflection in the mirror.

My eyes look hollow, and my already pale skin has a grayish tint to it.

I can pretend all I like, but my body knows the truth. It’s been carrying it for weeks now, but at some point, it’s going to break.

I’m running out of time, and if I’m not careful, the choice to tell Cormac the truth on my own terms will be taken from me.

“Fiona! You promised to play astronauts with me,” Scout yells from the other side of the door.

I quickly wipe the few stray tears from my cheeks and force a smile.

A strangled laugh escapes me as I catch my reflection again. It’s pathetic, barely convincing, but it’s the smile I give him anyway because no matter what war I’m fighting in my mind, Scout doesn’t get to witness it.

Cormac doesn’t get home until I’m plating up dinner. He looks exhausted and distracted, but somehow he still manages to give Scout his full attention even though I can practically see the weight sitting on his shoulders.

While Cormac takes Scout up to bed, I quickly clear the dishes and head upstairs to my room.

My face is aching from forcing smiles all day, and I’m desperate for a quiet night in. One where Cormac and I curl up on the couch with a blanket and watch a corny rom-com and pretend like the outside world doesn’t exist.

I have a feeling he needs it even more than I do. He’s barely spoken two words to me, and I can tell from the faraway look in his eyes that something is bothering him.

But I know better than to ask questions.

I take a quick shower, towel-dry my hair, and pull on one of Cormac’s T-shirts I stole from his closet. It hangs off oneshoulder and comes down to my knees, but I don’t care. It smells of him. And tonight, I need the extra comfort.

The penthouse is dim, lit only by the lamp in the upstairs hallway.

I pad down the last few steps and freeze when I find Cormac standing by the elevator with his coat on and his keys in hand.

Was he planning on leaving without saying goodbye?