“Oh, and, Kieran?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s nice to see you.”
“Pregnancy has made you soft, McCarthy.”
“Want to bet?”
I laugh. “I take it back; you’re a Sullivan through and through.”
She grins, and I chuckle under my breath as I head out into the hallway.
The door to the study is ajar, and I half-heartedly knock as I enter.
Ronan is standing behind the enormous desk with his arms crossed as he stares down at a bunch of surveillance photos. I can practically see the weight of responsibility etched into his face as he frowns.
When I close the door behind me, he glances up. “Kieran.”
“Ronan.” I take a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk and cross an ankle over a knee. “Anything good?” I glance at the photos.
He sinks down into his chair, raking a hand through his hair as he stares at the documents in front of him. “Unfortunately, no. Anyway, what’s up?”
“Riley needs out of the apartment.”
Ronan finally lifts his head and gives me that tired, older-brother look that makes me feel like I’m twelve and about to be lectured. “What did she do this time?”
“She asked to meet Lucy for coffee.”
Ronan raises an eyebrow. “And you said no, obviously.”
“I compromised and said Lucy could come over to my place.”
“That’s not like you to invite people over to your place. It looks like married life has made you go soft,” he gives me a knowing look.
I scowl. “I’m trying to keep her safe. Anyway, that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Then what did you want to talk about?”
“I suggested that Riley could come over here and spend some time with Ciara. Maybe help her organize baby stuff or just…talk.”
“That’s actually a great idea.”
I shrug like it doesn’t matter, even though I feel a flicker of pride.
“I figured it would be good for both of them. Riley’s climbing the walls, and I’m sure Ciara will be just as bad in a few days.”
Ronan nods, looking thoughtful. “It sounds like Riley needs to feel useful, and Ciara’s not going to listen to the nurses no matter how many times I tell her to rest. Having someone her age around might make her more likely to actually stay put.”
“Exactly. It’s a win-win.”
“And it might help Riley feel like part of the family, even if things between you two are…” He gives me a pointed look.
“Complicated.”
Before either of us can say more, my phone buzzes in my pocket with an incoming call from Brennan.
“What’s up?” I ask, grateful for the interruption.
