Page 81 of Ruthless Dream

“I need to make sure my laptop is in my backpack.” I grab my phone, breaking the awkwardness. There are, in fact, a million missed notifications, all from my mother.

“I’ll meet you in the car.” She searches my face, checking to make sure I’m okay.

Tears prick at my eyes, exhaustion heightening my emotions. “Thanks.”

I’m really fucking glad my mom is here. I don’t mind how childish it makes me seem.

I’m not sure what I expect when I finally step out into the living room, but it’s not Ciaran sitting at the kitchen counter, drinking coffee with Mom’s security detail.

Mom huffs, but there’s a smile as she shakes her head, like she’s not surprised that boys will be boys.

One lifts his mug in the air, in a silent cheers, before placing it in the sink. The other claps Ciaran’s shoulder. The last thing I need is Ciaran to be buddy-buddy with the guards, but here we are.

They leave with Mom while I grab my backpack.

Ciaran wonders over and I focus on his naked chest instead of meeting his eyes.

“Are you okay?” he murmurs.

I nod, my hand tightening on the strap of my backpack. “Mom’s going to take me home.” Where I will curl up in peace, away from my roommates and next to a private bathroom. “I’m really sorry.”

He brushes my hair back. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. Text me when you can, when you’re feeling better.”

I wipe my cheek, unable to talk.

“Come on.” He quickly grabs a T-shirt, throwing it on. “I’ll walk you down the stairs.”

I roll my eyes. “My legs work fine.”

“So you’re not shaking?” he asks. “Let me carry you.”

There’s no chance in hell I’m going to be that dramatic. I do hold onto the banister, though, Ciaran gripping my other hand. It’s all so stupid, but I’m not in the position to argue anymore. The moment I’m in the SUV, I will be napping.

“I’ll text you,” I promise, squeezing his hand when we get to the sidewalk. Mom’s got the door open, and I realize that I’m basically being passed between the pair of them. They know it too, because a look passes between them, and then Mom nods at Ciaran—the two of them on the same page in regard to how perfectly messy I am.

CHAPTER 20

Ciaran

Adeline left with her mother, leaving my flat far emptier than I liked. I forced myself back to work, talked more about Wallen with my uncle, and waited for my phone to light up with a message.

I knew it wasn’t likely she’d immediately text me. Her skin had a gray pallor to it when she left, her body moving stiffly. She needed to sleep. Wishing she’d message me was selfish, but it didn’t mean I stopped checking my phone.

It’s been three days since she got sick, and I’m trying to think of a polite way to tell her to get over it. She’s acting shy, like she could have done anything to stop food poisoning.

She’s been staying at her parents, and normally, I would make a princess joke about her guards driving her into the city for class. But if she’s not going to stay with me, then I know the next best thing is letting her be pampered by her parents. Her two obnoxious roommates aren’t going to make her feel better.

That doesn’t mean she should be avoiding me. I called her once, her voice weak. She’d sounded so tired, I’d let her go quickly. She’s stressed about missing two days of class and sent me a video of a cat typing fast to explain how she’s getting back on track.

“Don’t you do it. Don’t you fucking do it!” Seamus groans into his hands. My cousins are watching an international football match, Ireland trying to secure their World Cup spot.

Instead of watching with them, I’m pacing back and forth in Cormac’s flat. I’m wearing a black suit with a black button-down, appropriately reflecting how I feel.

“Just go and be her nursemaid already,” Seamus says, his eyes on the TV. His brother, Dermot, sits beside him and snorts.

I ignore them, pacing.

Uncle Cormac comes into the room, pouring himself a whiskey at the wet bar. He offers me one, and I say to hell with it. He’s poured the good stuff.