I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel right now. There are too many emotions fighting for space in my heart.
I know I should be grateful to be alive, but I also feel hollow and numb at the same time as I think of Stephen’s wife and kids.
Right now, they’re probably sound asleep, oblivious to the fact that their lives have changed forever.
“Someone needs to call Tamara. S-she deserves to know—” My voice breaks, and I’m hit with another wave of sobs.
Ronan only holds me tighter, stroking my hair as his other hand rubs soothing circles on my back. “I’m going to tell her.”
“Those boys…”
“Will know how brave their father was.”
Even though I know that Ronan is filled with anger over Stephen’s betrayal, the fact that he can find some compassion for the man who tried to kidnap his wife has to mean something, right?
I press my fists to my eyes, trying to hold it together, but the floodgates are open, and there’s no stopping it now. The gut-wrenching grief mixed with confusion and rage pours out of me, and I start sobbing uncontrollably.
Ronan doesn’t tell me to stop or try to fix it. He just holds me and lets me cry until I’m not sure there are any tears left.
“If anyone tries to hurt you, they will pay with their lives.”
I blink up at him, my eyes raw and stinging. “What?”
He strokes my cheek. “That’s the deal, Ciara. Anyone who touches you or threatens you or eventhinksabout using you as a pawn, I will kill them because I love you that much.”
The air leaves my lungs in a sharp gasp as I look into his dark eyes.
This man. This fierce, brutal, terrifying man would burn the world down for me, and that realization is enough to break me all over again.
I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him like it’s the last thing I’ll ever do.
There’s nothing soft or slow about it. Every stroke of my tongue against his is a silent promise of trust, forgiveness, and everything both of us want to say but can’t.
Ronan’s hands move to cup my face, his fingers tangling in my hair as he kisses me back just as desperately.
“I love you,” I gasp against his mouth.
“You’re everything to me, Ciara.”
The way we kiss is enough to make the world around us disappear for just a moment.
As I part my lips and let Ronan explore my mouth, I can pretend I’m not in a bulletproof car with a dead body in the trunk, waiting for one of our enemies to show up.
I savor the feel of his hair as I run my fingers through the thick strands. I inhale the musky scent of his cologne mixed with sweat and a hint of smoke still as I kiss along his neck, shivering as his stubble grazes my cheek.
Eventually, Ronan breaks the kiss and rests his forehead against mine. His breathing is hard, and it tickles my skin, making me shiver. “You should go to the hospital. Just to be sure.”
I shake my head instantly. “No. I told you, I feel fine.”
“Ciara—”
“Please don’t make me go without you.”
Ronan exhales through his nose as he looks forward.
Brennan is pacing back and forth in front of the car as he talks into his phone.
I frown as I look at Brennan and then back at Ronan.
