Page 142 of Broken Lies
I shake my head. “I just got her back. I can’t risk making her feel used.”
Brennan’s quiet for a beat. “But if she has the proof and it’s real, that changes everything. We can’t just sit on that kind of information.”
“I know. But I need to be sure about us before I ask.”
“Fair enough. But the longer you leave it, the harder that conversation’s going to be.”
An incoming call from Ronan lights up the center screen, and I answer it before Brennan asks me any more questions that I don’t want to answer.
“We’re just leaving Sean’s?—”
“Ciara’s in labor,” Ronan blurts. “I need you to get here.”
“On our way.”
I have Brennan call Riley on the drive back to the penthouse, warning her to be ready.
By the time I pull into the private garage, she’s standing there, waiting, with worry etched into every part of her face.
She climbs into the backseat. “How’s Ciara?”
“We’re about to find out,” I answer.
By the time we reach the hospital and locate Ciara’s room, I find my brother pacing back and forth in the hallway, looking like he’s about ready to punch a hole in the wall.
I’ve seen Ronan on edge, but this is something else entirely. There’s genuine fear in his eyes.
I approach him. “Ronan,”
His head snaps up.
“How is Ciara?”
“It’s false labor. The doctor wants to keep her overnight for observation."
“That’s good, right? That means the babies won’t be born too prematurely.” Riley appears at my side. Her fingers intertwine with mine, and I gently squeeze them.
Ronan nods, but the tension doesn’t ease from his shoulders.
“What is it?” Brennan appears at my other side.
Ronan doesn’t answer right away, but his eyes flick to Riley, and she seems to understand the subtle cue.
She pulls her hand free and adjusts her tote bag on her shoulder. “I brought some things for Ciara. Is it okay if I go in and see her?”
Ronan nods, and Riley offers me a smile before disappearing inside Ciara’s room.
My brother still doesn’t speak.
I frown. “What’s going on with you?”
“I need you to step up.”
“You know I will.”
“I’m talking full control here, Kieran, of everything. At least until the twins are born.”
I stuff my hands into my pockets, frowning. “It’s done.”
