Page 163 of Bound Lies

His thumbs gently brush over my cheeks, wiping them away before he’s gone, and I’m left standing alone in the foyer, feeling as if my heart has been shattered.

The sound of footsteps has me furiously wiping at my face in time for Ronan to appear, looking grave.

“This is the right move for us to make.”

“It doesn’t feel like it.”

“That’s often how you know.”

The drive to the safehouse is quiet. Ronan doesn’t speak, and Ciara rests one hand on her belly as she leans her head against the window.

I sit in the backseat, staring at the blur of trees as they pass, thinking of Kieran.

That ambush earlier was too close. Whoever was behind it is clearly one step ahead, and next time, we might not be so lucky.

When the car finally pulls up in front of a two-story, red-bricked house tucked back from the road, a brief sense of relief washes over me at the fact I’m not being forced to live in a reinforced underground bunker for God-knows how long.

This place looks normal, almost boring.

But this isn’t normal.

Nothing about my life is anymore.

A tall man wearing a crisp white shirt and tan slacks opens the door and steps out onto the top step.

As I climb out of the car, his eyes land on me, and he offers me a warm smile that I find I don’t have the energy to return.

A woman appears beside him, wiping her hands on a flour-covered apron, and I notice her eyes widen as she takes in the sight of Ciara’s swollen belly.

“Dr. Allen,” Ronan greets as he places a firm hand on Ciara’s waist.

“I wish I was meeting your wife under different circumstances.” Dr. Allen steps aside to let Ronan and Ciara pass.

I follow behind, keeping my eyes down to avoid the sympathetic looks from both the doctor and his wife.

The house smells faintly of antiseptic and freshly baked bread. The combination makes my stomach churn, and my mouth fill with saliva.

I force myself to breathe through my mouth. The last thing I need is to vomit all over the doctor’s expensive rug.

“My wife needs to rest,” Ronan says firmly to Dr. Allen once we’re safely inside.

Ciara nods, though her lips curve in a soft smile. “I’m fine, Ronan. Really.”

He doesn’t answer, but his arm tightens around her waist in a protective manner.

I understand now the fear that has been weighing on Ronan. The fear of losing someone you love.

When Ciara is settled in one of the bedrooms, Ronan lingers in the doorway, his gaze flicking between me and his wife.

“Promise me you’ll keep an eye on her.”

I don’t even have to think about it. “I will.”

“If anything feels off, anything, you tell Dr. Allen immediately.”

“I promise.”

His eyes soften slightly as he looks back at Ciara, and for a moment, he reminds me so much of Kieran that I almost burst into tears.