Ronan stood near the window, arms crossed. Watching Maeve and Xavier outside, still locked in their reunion embrace.
I observed him observing her.
The stern former assassin couldn’t take his focus off his woman. His expression had softened, just slightly, but enough to notice. Protective. Possessive. Tender in a way that seemed at odds with his dangerous exterior.
I found it endearing.
“You know she’s safe, right?” I kept my voice light. Teasing. “He’s her brother.”
He didn’t look away from the window. “I know.”
“Then why are you watching her like a hawk?”
His jaw tightened. “Habit.”
I smiled. “Habit. Right.”
He finally glanced at me. Dark blue eyes sharp. Then his lips quirked. Almost imperceptible. “You do the same with him.”
I paused, realized he was right.
Every instance Xavier left the safe house for firewood, I’d positioned myself near windows. Tracked his movements. Couldn’t relax until he was back inside where I could see him.
“Fair point.”
Silence fell. Comfortable, surprisingly. Two people who understood the cost of loving someone dangerous.
His attention drifted back to the window. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For bringing him to her.”
I shook my head. “As if I had any say in the matter. The moment he remembered her, he would have crossed an ocean to find her.”
“She’s been searching for him.” His voice dropped. Quiet. “Every day since he was declared dead. Even when everyone else gave up. Even when it seemed impossible.”
“I know. He told me. She’s a courageous woman.”
“She never stopped.” His expression was unreadable, but something shifted in his tone. Pride, maybe. “First stretch in months I’ve seen her smile like that.”
I looked out the window. They were still holding each other, both of them talking now. Intense conversation I couldn’t hear but could read in their body language. She was touching his face, his arms, checking he was real. He was holding her wrists, speaking earnestly.
Siblings reunited after months of hell.
Warmth bloomed in my chest.
This is what family looked like.
Not blood. Choice. People who refused to give up on each other even when the world said it was hopeless.
Outside, she laughed, bright, genuine sound that carried through the open windows.
His expression softened further. He didn’t look away.
I left him to his watching and moved toward the kitchen, giving them both space.
The cabana was sparse but functional. Small kitchen with basic supplies. Bedroom visible through an open door. Bathroom. Everything needed for survival, nothing extra.
