“You do not. When I first met you, you were incredibly standoffish.”
“It’s because I thought you were hot.” His smile grows, and mine does, too.
I don’t bother mentioning that I know what it’s like to close yourself off to protect your soft, vulnerable heart. That I’d recognized another wounded animal limping through the world all by itself. Knowing what happened to Emily won’t bring her back, won’t heal the pain, but it might ease the hurt.
Freddie will pay for what he did, to Isla and to Emily.
I’ll make sure of it.
Pulling up a chair, I sit as close to Connor as I can getand study his beloved face. He’s a little beat up, with all sorts of scratches and bruises forming across his face and arms. “How’s the arm?”
“Broken in two places. And I have a concussion. I’m a right mess.” Connor chuckles until he winces. “I can’t laugh, either. Hurts too much.”
“The doctor thought I had a broken rib,” I admit.
He swivels his head in my direction, wincing at the quick movement. “Do you?”
He sounds like he can’t bear the thought of me being injured, and I want to swoon. “No. Just badly bruised.”
Connor exhales slowly. “Good.”
“Were you worried?”
“I always worry about you, Billie. You have this way of getting yourself into … dangerous predicaments.”
“Not anymore.” I take his hand and lace our fingers together. “Freddie is going to jail. My girl-sleuth days are behind me.”
“Think he’ll share a cell with his dear ol’ dad?”
I shake my head. “Doubtful. But they’re both behind bars where they belong.”
“Thank God,” Connor breathes, closing his eyes. He seems drowsy.
“Are you in pain?”
“Not too bad. A little bit,” he admits, his eyes still closed.
“Want me to sing something to make you feel better?” I want to laugh, but I try to control myself.
He cracks one eye open and scowls. “Someone already tried to murder me today, but thanks.”
I get a case of the giggles, and he tugs on my hand, forcingme to stand. I lean over him, our faces close as I stare into his eyes. The moment goes from light to somber in an instant. “I know we … said things. On the cliff. You were practically delirious with pain and we had both just experienced something so … terrifying. So, so scary. But I almost lost you up there, Connor. So I know I really mean it when I say I love you. I just wanted you to know it’s still real for me. Even after everything.”
“I almost lostyou—and I love you, too, Billie.” His expression is grave. “Fucking Freddie.”
“Fucking Freddie,” I whisper, leaning in to deliver the softest kiss to Connor’s lips. “My sister is awake.”
“What?” He’s so loud I need to lean back as if he’s a one-man bomb blast. “You waited this long to tell me?”
“I wanted to check on you first and make sure you’re in one piece.” I shrug one shoulder. “The doctors think Isla’s going to be okay.”
“This is wonderful news.” He shifts and lifts his arm, settling his hand on my cheek. “The best news ever. What a day.”
I rest my hand over his and nod. “What a day is right.”
“Plus, with the discovery of your birth father …” Connor’s voice drifts, and we stare at each other for a long moment. “You’re a Canterbury now.”
A sigh leaves me, and we drop our hands. “Yeah, about that.”
