She’s chewing on her bottom lip as she watches me with concern on her face.
Of all the people I thought were involved with Cormac, Oscar Walsh was not on that list.
“When?” I ask.
“Once about four years back, and again just a few weeks before Dad was murdered.”
For a moment, all I can do is stand there, my hand tightening around the phone until my knuckles ache.
The irritation I was feeling at having my time with Riley interrupted yet again is soon replaced by a rush of anger and disbelief.
Of all the things I expected to hear tonight, this sure as hell wasn’t on the list.
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. I checked it three times. It’s him.”
My mind races, piecing together the implications of this unexpected alliance.
If Brennan’s right, then I’ll have to make choices Riley might not forgive.
“Put a tail on him.”
Riley’s eyes are still fixed on me, but I can’t find it in myself to meet them.
“And keep digging. I want every detail you can find.”
“Already on it,” Brennan replies. “I’ll update you as soon as I have more.”
The line goes dead, and I shove the phone back into my pocket before finally looking at Riley.
“Everything okay?” she asks softly.
I force myself to relax my shoulders and to keep my expression neutral.
She doesn’t need to carry the weight of this news, especially when it involves her brother.
“Everything’s fine.” I take her face in my hands and brush my thumbs over her cheeks. “There’s something I need to take care of.”
Her lips press into a thin line, but she doesn’t push, even though I can tell she wants to. “When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll be as quick as I can,” I add before leaning down to kiss her.
She doesn’t kiss me back immediately, but when I brush my tongue along her lower lip, she relaxes into my touch.
“Just…be careful, okay?” she whispers against my lips.
“Always.”
I have to force myself to step away and out of the door before the guilt has a chance to choke me.
Keeping Riley in the dark feels wrong, but dragging her into this truth about Oscar could destroy her before I even have the full picture, and that’s not something I’m willing to risk.
Chapter Thirteen
RILEY
What arethe chances of Kieran letting me out of the house two days in a row? Realistically, probably none, but I have to at least ask. The sooner I speak to my professor about my options regarding the internship, college, and my secret pregnancy, the sooner I can put my dreams behind me and start moving forward.
