“If you know something, Stephen, you will tell me.”
It’s not a question.
“That’s part of my job.”
“Being around my wife all day is also part of your job.”
This time, Stephen blinks, and something like guilt flickers in his eyes. “I don’t follow.”
I let him see the warning in my eyes as I step closer to him. “Just so we’re clear, if you ever fuck me over, I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you ever do.”
“Ronan… I would never do that to you, or to her.”
I dip my chin. “Good answer.”
Then I leave him.
I may not like playing defense, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how to strike when the time comes.
Chapter Sixteen
CIARA
I’m startingto feel like an exhibit in a museum, and not because I consider myself a work of art. Quite the opposite, in fact. It’s because Stephen is constantly nearby, watching my every move like a hawk.
I could ignore it before, but now that I know he’s in on my secret pregnancy, it’s putting me more on edge than usual.
I narrow my eyes at him as he stands in the doorway to the living room like a statue, his huge arms crossed over his chest as he scans the room, expecting someone to jump out from behind the couch to ambush us.
“You know…” I close the book I was only pretending to read and set it down on the couch beside me. “You’re making me uncomfortable just standing there like that. What do you think I’m going to do? Make a run for it?”
His mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile. “Orders are orders.”
I shrug before patting the empty space next to me on the couch.
“You look like you could use a break. Come and sit with me. I won’t bite.”
Stephen hesitates, glancing over his shoulder as if he half-expects Ronan to materialize the moment he sits down. But after a long second, he sighs and strolls over to the couch, awkwardly settling his huge body as far away from me as possible, as if he’s scared I’ve got a contagious disease.
“See? You can still watch me like a hawk, but at least you get to sit down.” I stretch my legs out to rest my feet on the coffee table.
It’s weird how much like home this place feels now. When I first arrived, I was scared to do much more than make coffee, and now I can happily kick off my shoes and curl up on the couch without worrying that Ronan will reprimand me for it.
I think he secretly likes that I view this place as home.
“So… what’s your wife’s name?”
“Tamara.” Stephen looks more relaxed now. “We’ve been married for fifteen years.”
I blink. “Fifteen? That’s impressive. I’ve barely been married for a few months.”
Stephen’s shoulders shake with silent laughter. “I’m sure it’s felt like years.”
“Decades.” I sigh. “So, how did you meet Tamara? Was she in the military too?”
“We met when I was stationed in Cork. She worked at a café near the base, and I kept going there every day and ordering the worst coffee just to have an excuse to talk to her.”
My lips twitch with a smile for the first time in days. “That’s either really sweet or kind of stalkerish.”
