Page 161 of Bound Lies

Ronan narrows his eyes at me. “Kieran was just about to tell me.”

“Well, I want to know too.”

His eyes soften, just barely, as he turns back to her. “And I want you to go back to bed.”

“Don’t argue with me right now, Sullivan. You won’t win.”

Ronan lets out a breath before reluctantly climbing the stairs and placing a supportive arm around Ciara’s waist.

I wait patiently beside Riley until Ciara reaches the foyer, and then I’m being forced aside as the two girls embrace.

“Are you okay?” Ciara clutches Riley as tightly as her huge bump will allow.

“I’m fine.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

Riley glances anxiously over her shoulder at me before looking at Ronan. “We should talk.”

Ronan leads us all into the lounge, where he settles Ciara on the couch with a plethora of pillows behind her before perching on the arm.

“Sit by me, Riley.” She taps the space beside her.

Ronan places a protective hand on Ciara’s shoulder. “What’s all this about, Kieran?”

I take a seat in the chair closest to Riley. “The evidence Riley found in Declan’s office was fake.”

Ronan curses, and I catch Riley flinching out of the corner of my eye.

I shoot Ronan a warning look.

“I’m so sorry, I had no idea⁠—”

“Don’t be sorry,” Ciara assures her. “How were you to know?”

“My first thought was that the evidence was planted for Declan to find,” I say, and Ronan nods.

“That makes the most sense.” His expression darkens.

“Unless my father was the one to plant it for me to find,” Riley adds, and Ronan’s mouth snaps shut.

The room falls quiet as her words linger in the air, and my chest tightens at the look of guilt on Riley’s face.

“Even if that’s the case, this isn’t your fault, dove.”

“But—”

“But nothing.”

Riley’s eyes shimmer with tears, and I can see how hard she’s trying to hold them back.

“If anyone is to blame here, it’s your father, and Ronan already made sure he paid the price for what he’s done.”

Ronan nods before turning to me. “The girls need to go somewhere safer. Whoever is behind this is ahead of us.”

“I agree.”

Ciara lifts one hand as she shakes her head. “Hold up. I’m not going anywhere.”