If she needs reassurance, she’ll get it. Because at the end of the day, that’s the only thing I know for certain.
My future is her.
Chapter Seven
RILEY
I trymy best to wait up for Kieran, but after spending most of the day with the girls out by the pool, I’m completely beat. I yawn so hard my jaw pops, and my eyelids are heavy as I lay in the darkness.
The only thing stopping me from giving in is the fact that my mind is racing, replaying the conversation we just shared on repeat. Especially that word.
Eventually.
The word feels like a lead weight in my stomach.
How is Kieran going to feel when he learns thateventuallyis now, that I’m already carrying his child?
I press a hand against my tummy, the gesture instinctive and protective.
It still feels like a secret, something fragile and precious tucked away inside me, even though Ciara, Lucy, and now Mila know.
It’s only a matter of time before Ciara lets something slip to Ronan, and then all bets are off.
Ronan’s loyalty is to his brother, not to me, and if I’m not the one to tell Kieran this life-changing news, I’m not sure he’ll ever forgive me.
I squeeze my eyes shut and pray for sleep to come before I drive myself mad with what-ifs…
I waketo the dip of the mattress and the rustle of sheets.
My eyes blink open in the dimness, and the blurry outline of Kieran comes into focus as he climbs into bed.
“Hey,” I whisper.
“Hey.” He slides closer.
His arms find me and pull me against his solid chest, and I burrow into him with a sigh.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too, little dove. More than you could know.” He presses a kiss to my hair.
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
He exhales slowly, shaking his head. “Not really. I’m no closer to figuring out where Cormac is. But what I did find… Let’s just say it gave me some clarity.”
I hesitate.
Part of me wants to press him for more, but I also want to just savor this moment with him and not have it become clouded by talk of Cormac.
“I’m just glad you’re back.”
He tightens his arms around me, and I nestle against his chest, letting the sound of his heartbeat soothe me.
“Me too, and I’m sorry for neglecting you. I’m going to make it up to you, Riley. I promise.”
“You don’t need to make up for anything. You’ve had a lot on your plate. I get it.”
Kieran gently wraps his hand around my neck and tilts my face up so that our eyes meet.
