Page 45 of Unexpected Complication

“I’m sorry,” I offered, repentant. “I panicked.”

“Do you have any more?”

I knew what he was asking. I nodded truthfully. “Yes.”

“Why do you have sleeping pills?”

“They were my dad’s. I kept them in case.”

His brow furrowed. “In case?”

“In case I couldn’t take life anymore,” I answered honestly.

His fast inhale of air was sharp. He grabbed my face, holding it between his rough hands. “It all goes—today. You can’t even think like that, Kitten.” His voice broke. “I can’t even—” He yanked me into his arms, holding me tight. “Your life is going to change now, I promise. I’ll look after you.” He pulled my head back, forcing me to meet his distressed gaze. “Please tell me you believe that.”

The honesty blazing from his eyes left me no doubt he was telling the truth. “Yes,” I whispered with a small smile. “Yes, I believe you, Cian.”

His mouth on mine was hard and desperate and far too brief. He pulled away and stood, grabbing a shirt.

“I’ll check on Sean. I want those pills. All of them.” He paused at the door. “Stay there. We’ll do this when I get back.”

I nodded and he left.

I stared after him, my fingers pressed against my mouth, still feeling the possession of his touch.

Knowing, somehow, when he came back, things were going to change.

My whole world was going to change.

Part of me wondered if I was ready for it.

Chapter 10

Cian

Sean was out cold, but he was fine—his breathing deep and even. I stopped in the kitchen, grabbing some water and chugging the entire bottle. My mouth felt like it had been dragged across the Sahara for days. I took a couple more bottles, leaving one on Sean’s nightstand. He’d need it when he woke up. I also knew once he was fully awake, Skylar was going to witness his anger.

If she thought I was scary when upset, wait until she got a load of him.

Back in my room, I found Skylar right where I left her. Sitting on the edge of the bed beside her, I opened the water and handed it to her, studying her as she sipped at it. Her eyes were downcast, her skin shockingly pale. The cut on her forehead was a vivid red gash against the white of her face. Her bruises, which I’d thought were fading, once again seemed so dark against the pallor, and she looked completely exhausted.

Sitting up all night, planning on drugging people and running, did that to a person, I supposed. I ignored the little voice that whispered, “Being scared and upset for days on end didn’t help either.” That voice could fuck off right now. I was suddenly furious with her.

“Where are the pills?”

Her head snapped up at the sound of my voice. I knew my anger had crept into my tone, but I wanted her to hear it. What she’d done was incredibly stupid. When I thought of what would have happened had her plan succeeded, I shuddered. Sean and I would still be passed out, and Skylar would be dead.

“In my room.”

I stood, holding out my hand. “Let’s go.”

She ignored my outstretched palm, rose to her feet silently, and walked in front of me. I tried hard not to notice how my shirt looked on her or the way it touched the back of her thighs as she moved. I especially tried hard not to notice how her hips swayed as she walked or the way the back of the damp T-shirt clung to the curve of her ass. I’d never removed her underwear, putting her into bed with them wet from the bath. The fabric clung to her curves like a second skin. I shook my head, knowing I needed to ignore those feelings right now.

I followed her into the bathroom, watching as she unzipped the small bag I’d looked in the other day. She pulled out a small tube and opened it, spilling some pills into her palm. I pulled on her wrist, tipping her hand over the sink and washing the pills down the drain. She didn’t say a word.

“Are there more?”

She hesitated. “No. I have no more sleeping pills.”