“Oh, and, Riley?”
I pause with my hand on the doorknob and glance over my shoulder.
“Yeah?”
“Try to breathe.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“It always is.” She offers me a last smile before making her slow climb back up the stairs.
When I step outside, Jace, Leo, and Wesley are all waiting by the car.
They nod when they see me, offering polite smiles, but nothing more. After all, they’re not my friends, they’re my watchdogs, a walking reminder that danger is never far away.
Jace opens the car door for me. “Ready to go?”
I slide into the back seat. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
This may bethe stupidest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve done some pretty stupid things in my life. But if I don’t go through with this, I’ll be stuck in limbo forever, wondering whether this baby even has a chance. And if the worst happens and there is no longer a heartbeat, I need to know before I go and turn Kieran’s world upside down.
The bell above the bistro door chimes softly as I step inside, my heart already racing to the point of pain.
Oscar is already here, sitting in a booth near the window. He’s dressed up for the occasion, wearing a pale blue shirt and slacks, and his auburn hair looks freshly cut and styled.
He waves when he spots me, his expression softening into a smile that I haven’t seen in years.
I’m used to his smug grins or smirks that are meant to provoke me. The genuine warmth in his eyes takes me so much by surprise that I stand frozen for a moment, staring at my brother as if seeing him for the first time.
“Earth to Riley?” He laughs, waving a hand, and I blink out of my trance.
“Sorry, I was miles away.” I slide into the seat across from him.
“I’m surprised you showed up alone.”
“Oh, trust me, I’m far from alone.” I point out the window to where the blacked-out SUV is parked out front.
“What am I looking at?”
“My protection team,” I say just as Jace locks eyes with me, and I offer him a small wave, which he doesn’t return.
“You’re joking.”
“Not even a little.”
“Well, I’ll be honest, I’d rather them than Kieran. I was wondering how long it would take for lunch to turn into an interrogation.”
I level him with a look before picking up my menu to scan the options, even though I’m not even the slightest bit hungry.
“Kieran is willing to give you a chance, Oscar. And I would appreciate it if you would at least try to do the same.”
He holds up his hands. “Iamtrying. It’s just…he doesn’t exactly make it easy. Of all of the Sullivan men, you had to marry him? He’s like the fucking Grinch on steroids.”
“Don’t be dramatic.”
“I’m not, that’s the point.”
I sigh as I set down my menu, already exhausted from this verbal tennis match.
