“Nothing’s wrong.” I grin, though I can still feel the remnants of the tears on my cheeks.
Brennan frowns. “You’re acting weird.”
“That’s because I have news.Reallygood news.” I am one second away from bouncing up and down on the balls of my feet.
“What’s this news?” Cormac wearily, braces a hand against the island.
“Amber got the all-clear from the doctor. She doesn’t need any more surgery and…she says I’m allowed to come and visit.” I clutch my hands to my chest as I try to hold back my excitement.
Something like relief washes over Cormac’s face as his shoulders relax.
“That’s good news. Really good news.” He mirrors what I said. And for a fleeting second, the corner of his mouth twitches in an almost smile.
I step closer, my heart hammering in my chest.
“I wanted you to know because you’re the one who made it possible. You’re the one who got me back into their lives, and I… I owe you so much.”
He shakes his head. “You don’t owe me. I just gave back what was already yours. Any fool could see how much those girls need you. Joe was wrong to keep them from you in the first place.”
I nod, biting back the emotion that threatens to spill over. “Still… you made it possible. You always make things possible for me. I don’t think I could have done it without you.”
He studies me closely as he takes a sip of his coffee, his dark eyes so intense that my cheeks heat. “I just did what needed to be done. Hopefully now, things can settle down.”
“When can I go?”
Cormac raises an eyebrow.
“After you’ve brushed your teeth and eaten your greens,” Brennan chimes in, and Cormac shoots him a look that only makes Brennan chuckle under his breath.
“How about this afternoon?” Cormac suggests, setting down his mug.
I blink.
I wasn’t expecting to be able to see the girls so soon, but of course I’m not going to object. “That would be amazing.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“You will?”
I notice the look that Brennan gives his brother, and I feel that familiar niggling thought tugging at the back of my mind.
Is he offering to come with me because he wants to keep me safe, or is he coming because he wants to make sure I don’t secretly meet up with Lorcan without supervision?
From the look on Brennan’s face, I can tell he’s wondering the same thing.
Cormac takes a sip of coffee. “I want to make sure nothing goes sideways. I don’t trust Joe. And considering the ultimatum you gave him, I doubt he’s thrilled at the idea of seeing you, so you’re not going alone.”
That trace of possessiveness makes my cheeks flush.
His gaze meets mine, and I can’t fight the huge smile that spreads across my face because no matter his intentions, I get to see my nieces today, and that’s what really matters.
“I’ll go and tell Amber I’ll be coming today. Oh, and Cormac…” I hesitate for a second before throwing my arms around his neck.
He staggers back a step before wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me flush against him.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You deserve it.”
