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What could she possibly say to the sister who had given so much innocence and life to save hers?
“I can never thank you for what you did for me, and I wish I could have somehow erased the hell you endured. I’m sorry I cursed you for leaving me to Bill as if you had a choice. I didn’t know…” Raine felt the onslaught of more tears, seemingly more desolation than she could take. “I wish I’d seen the amazing things you could have accomplished in life. I hope that, wherever you are, you finally found something better than the best lip gloss or the perfect prom dress. I’m sorry you never got to see the last Matrix movie. If it helps, you didn’t miss much.” She tried to smile because her sister had never been one for tears. “I hope you and Mom found each other up there. I sincerely hope you’ve found peace.”
“Oh, kidlet…” River bowed his head. “I would have found some way to protect you if I’d guessed Bill’s plans. He never let on that he wanted me out because he wanted you.”
Her brother choked as if he had more words to say but simply couldn’t get them out, then he fell into a terrible sorrow-filled silence. Raine reached for his hand. He clutched it for a heartrending moment before he enveloped her against his body again. Last time, he’d been supporting her, helping her with grief. Now he clutched her like a lifeline.
They shared anguish without words, and Raine was silently grateful.
It was early days yet…but maybe she’d found that silver lining River had mentioned. Maybe she’d have her brother in her life again. And if the police dropped all these ridiculous charges against Hammer, she might finally have said good-bye to the darkest parts of her past today—and said hello to a beautiful future.
Saturday, February 16
Liam lay curled into Raine, resting his head on one elbow as he watched her sleep. She hadn’t had much of it lately. He and Macen hadn’t, either, but they weren’t nurturing another human being within their bodies.
Her inky lashes curled against translucent skin, now bruised with dark circles. She fidgeted restlessly.
Liam’s heart ached for her. “Rest easy, mo grá.”
He brushed aside an errant lock of her lush hair, frowning at how vulnerable she appeared in repose. His lass was under so much stress.
As if his merely thinking of Raine had roused her, she opened her eyes, the color of warm waters, clear and deep enough to drown a man in. “Why are you awake?”
He kissed her gently. “Not tired yet. Are you all right?”
“I should be sleeping like the dead now that it seems Macen’s legal troubles should be more or less over, but I just can’t shut off my brain.” She sighed. “And our little peanut seems to be sitting on my bladder.”
Her wry smile had him chuckling.
Snoring rent their silence, and they both turned to look at Hammer sleeping soundly on the other side of Raine.
“Cuddle up to him and go back to sleep, love. I’m heading downstairs for a cup of tea.”
He pressed a soft kiss on her forehead and left the bed, groping for his sweat pants. In short work, he had them on and headed quietly out of the room. He’d bet his parents were up, and he could use the time with them. No telling how long before they packed up and headed back to Ireland. Now that their crisis was seemingly averted, he was a bit surprised his mother hadn’t mentioned it. Maybe she felt that something uneasy giving her a nagging tug, too.
Halfway down the hall, a shuffling had him turning back to find Raine rushing to catch up to him, belting her robe as she hustled.
“I’ll go with you. Tea sounds good,” she whispered as she took his hand.
The big house was quiet until they approached the kitchen. Then the sound of his father’s voice became louder with every step.
“Aye, lass. I will. You tell those boys that Grandda said they best knuckle down, then. If they do, I might bring them each a bag of lollies from America.”
They couldn’t hear the reply, but his father laughed as they entered the kitchen. Duncan gave Raine a warm smile, and Liam was grateful to his da for trying to set her at ease.
She nodded in greeting and made her way to the teapot before pouring two cups. As she slid one across the counter to him, Liam squeezed his father’s shoulder and took a stool beside him at the bar, drawing the cup Raine had poured closer.
“You’re in luck, then. Your brother and Raine just walked in. Do you want to say hello?”
Liam smiled and arched a brow, but his father nudged the cell into his hand instead, not saying which of his sisters was on the line.
