Immediately, Kieran’s heavy footsteps follow behind me, and I want to groan.
“I’m guessing it’s going to be like this for a while.” I lean against the island and reach for the box of crackers that I left out earlier.
“At least until Ronan finds the son of a bitch responsible for slaughtering those innocent people.”
I glance behind me at the two guards who are stationed in the foyer with machine guns strapped to their backs as if they’re standing at the front line.
I nibble on the edge of a cracker, more out of need for the baby than out of appetite, which is nowhere to be found. “I don’t even feel safe in my own house anymore.”
“I’m sorry about that, but we are doing everything we can to keep you stay alive.”
“I know. I’m sorry, it’s just so frustrating.”
Kieran nods as he walks past me toward the fridge to get a bottle of water and sets it down in front of me. “If you’re hungry, you should eat something with more nutritional value than crackers.”
“I feel like I’m going to throw up, and I was hoping these would help. Unfortunately, they aren’t.” The slightly salty smell only makes my stomach churn, so I push the box away.
“That’s to be expected. I also know that people tend not to eat when they’re put in high-stress situations, but it doesn’t mean they don’t need the nutrition anyway, so what can I make you?”
“I’m fine for now. Maybe later.”
Kieran narrows his eyes at me as he folds his huge arms over his chest.
I want to lighten the mood, even if just to take his mind off giving me food. “You know, you’re pretty good at the whole protective older brother vibe.”
“Don’t mistake duty for warmth.”
“You say that like you’re not secretly a softie.”
Kieran shoots me a look that is sharp enough to slice steel, but there is something shining just beneath the surface.
I hold my hands up in mock surrender. “Jeez, you could just take the compliment.”
“Or you could come up with better ones? Nothing good has ever come from being soft, if you know what I mean.”
There’s a wicked gleam in his eye, and despite myself, I smile.
He shakes his head. “You should rest; you look like hell.”
“Gee, thanks.” I push off the counter and head toward the door.
Kieran falls into step beside me. “You know exactly what I mean, besides, I’d take the chance now. It’s not like you’ve got anywhere else to be.”
“I’m well aware.”
I find Mila curled up on the couch in the living room, looking pale.
Stephen kneels before the fireplace, building up a stack of logs and kindling to start a fire. Perhaps he’s hoping that it will make the place feel more like a home rather than a prison.
Kieran turns to walk down the hall. “If you need anything, I’ll be in Ronan’s office.”
“He’s not as scary as he looks,” Mila says as I curl up beside her.
I glance toward the hallway. “No, he isn’t. But he wears the mask proudly.”
A few hoursgo by with still no word from Ronan.
The sky has long since gone dark, and the fire is slowly turning to embers in the hearth, but I’m still wide awake, and so is Mila. We pass the time by playing a few games of poker, but it’s impossible to be distracted from the impending danger hanging over all of us like a dark cloud.
