Brennan:That’s what I told her.
Me:Let me guess, she told you to go fuck yourself?
Brennan:Pretty much.
Me:Remind me never to put you on babysitting duty again.
Brennan:Riley wants me to tell you to go fuck yourself too.
Brennan:Okay, I like her again.
I roll my eyes at the screen and tap out of the chat and open up my thread with Riley.
Me:Go to sleep, little dove x
Riley:I can’t :(
Me:Why not?
Riley:Because I miss you.
Me:I miss you too, but I’m not going to let you see the twins until you’ve slept…
Riley:You can’t keep my niece and nephew from me!
Me:Try me.
Riley:Fine… Does a power nap count?
Me:If it’s eight hours long, then yes.
Riley:You’re annoying.
Me:Sweet dreams, little dove, I love you x
Riley:I love you too!!
I smile at the message before shutting off my phone and pocketing it.
My eyelids feel heavy, so I settle back in the chair and close my eyes for a moment, listening to the rhythmic beeps of the machines.
Each sound is a tiny reassurance that Cormac is still alive, but it’s not enough to stop my mind from racing.
I should have seen this coming. I should have realized Lorcan was double-crossing us. I should have acted faster?—
The door opens with a soft click, and I jolt upright, my heart hammering in my chest.
Relief floods me when Ronan slips inside, cradling one of the twins against his chest. I can’t tell which one it is, considering they’re both impossibly tiny and fragile.
“You should be with your wife.” I sink further down into the uncomfortable chair.
“I couldn’t sleep, and neither could Nico, so I thought I would check in. Do you want to hold him?”
“Sure.”
I pocket my gun before Ronan carefully places the bundle in my arms.
It’s strange how the moment I cradle Nico’s tiny body against my chest, all of the fear and guilt I’ve been bottling up inside start to melt away.
