Page 130 of Broken Lies
Chapter Twenty-Eight
RILEY
I sitin the middle of the hotel bed with my knees tucked to my chest, staring at the blank TV. The room is quiet, save for the low hum of the air conditioning and the occasional siren outside the window.
I was hoping for a sense of relief by being here, but I just feel empty, considering that I can't stop thinking about the way Kieran looked at me once he realized I was a virgin the night we slept together in Vegas.
I had expected him to be a little confused, but what I wasn’t expecting was the way he pulled away from me like I was suddenly made of glass. I could see in his eyes that he was reevaluating everything he thought he knew about me, and that hurt more than I ever thought possible.
I wrap my arms tighter around my knees, my stomach twisting. I should have told him sooner. When it happened, even. But I didn’t know how. And now he’s going to think I didn’t tell him on purpose, which is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.
Kieran’s probably driving around right now, trying to come up with the best way to let me down gently.
“Thanks for the sex, kid. Shame about the emotional baggage.”
The thought of sitting through that conversation with him is too much for me to handle right now, what with everything else going on. So, I did the cowardly thing and left.
I didn’t want him to see me cry again or give him the satisfaction of knowing that I care.
I’m well aware of the risks I’m taking by leaving the safety of the penthouse, but to be honest, I’m past caring. I need some space and time to think, and I can’t do that around Kieran.
I considered turning up on Lucy’s doorstep, but that would compromise her safety, and I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her.
A hotel room for the night paid for in cash had the concierge giving me some serious side-eye. But I would rather look like a prostitute than charge it to my card for my brother to see. Other than Kieran, Oscar is the last person I want to see right now.
I glance at the clock. It’s almost four in the afternoon.
There’s no way Kieran hasn’t realized I’m gone by now. Maybe he’s glad that he doesn’t have to deal with me in person and that he finally gets to have the penthouse all to himself again.
The thought has my eyes stinging with tears.
I groan and collapse backward onto the bed, throwing my arms over my eyes as I realize what a mess my life has become.
Before I can truly spiral into a pool of my own self-pity, the hotel room door yanks open so hard it bounces off the wall behind it.
I shoot upright as my heart lodges itself in my throat as Kieran appears.
"What thefuckdo you think you’re doing?" His chest heaves.
I scramble backward across the bed, putting as much space between us as possible.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hold my hand to my chest as I try to calm down. “Was it really necessary to make such a dramatic entrance? You scared the living daylights out of me!”
“And why would you be scared of someone breaking and entering, Riley?” Kieran’s voice is sharp with fury, and I try not to flinch at his words. “Oh, that’s right. Because there’s a huge fucking target on your back!”
I snap my mouth shut and glare at Kieran.
“Get your shit and let’s go. I’m taking your ass back to the penthouse before you get yourself fucking killed.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“Doesn’t matter how I know. What matters is that I bring you back.”
“I’m not going back.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m safer here than with you.”
