Tears spill down my cheeks as I realize what his words mean.
“I thought you hated me.”
“I could never hate you. I want this baby, but more importantly, I want you, Riley Sullivan, because I love you more than my own goddamn life.”
“I love you too,” I sob before throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him like my life depends on it.
He tastes of blood and salt, but I don’t care. It’s Kieran. The man I love. The father of my child. The one person I can’t imagine my life without.
“Take me home,” I whisper against his mouth.
A faint smile tugs at his lips before he slides one arm beneath my knees and another around my back.
He lifts me effortlessly into his arms. “Nothing would make me happier.”
I bury my face in the warmth of his neck as he carries me toward one of the waiting cars.
Ronan and Oscar trail behind us, scanning the surroundings with their guns raised, but I can’t focus on anything except the sound of Kieran’s heartbeat.
It’s steady and strong.
And for the first time since this nightmare began, I believe I might be too.
Chapter Thirty-Four
KIERAN
I can finally takea full breath the moment I carry Riley through the front door of Ronan’s house.
Her face is buried in my neck and her body limp in my arms from exhaustion.
She’s barely spoken a word on the drive over here, but that doesn’t surprise me. She’s been through hell and back, but it’s not over yet.
The cut on her arm looks bad, and I have no doubt that the stress she experienced hasn’t been good for the baby.
It still feels strange to think about the fact that there’s a life growing inside Riley that is half her, half me.
Already I feel this insane protectiveness toward it, and I have a feeling that’s only going to get worse. It makes me almost feel bad for taking the piss out of Ronan for being such a caveman around Ciara.
Almost.
My sister-in-law is waiting for us at the foot of the stairs when we arrive, one hand on her rounded belly, the other braced against the banister. She’s white as a sheet, but the second she sees Riley, she bursts into tears.
“Oh, god. Riley…”
“You should be in bed,” Ronan scolds as he pushes past me to get to his wife. “All of this excitement isn’t good for the babies.”
“They’ll live.” She swats at his chest as tears stream down her face. “I’ve been going out of my mind with worry.”
“I’m okay, Ciara, really,” Riley mumbles, though I know it’s a lie.
“You need to be checked over. Dr. Rogers is already here setting up his things in the lounge.”
Riley starts to shake her head, but I cut in before she can argue.
“No debate, little dove. That cut on your arm needs cleaning up.”
“Cut? What cut?” Ciara demands.
