Page 33 of Vengeful Secret

“She can be a little hellion.” I chuckle. “But I wouldn’t change her for the world.”

“Do you have pictures?”

I take out my phone to show her a few snapshots of Ciara, and Lara squeals. “She’s gorgeous, Sutton. Looks just like you.”

Ciara does look just like me, and for that, I’m grateful.

What would I have done if she’d looked just like her father? She has his eyes, but in pictures, it isn’t so obvious.

I’m not sure I’ve thought this through.

There are secrets I’m keeping that I can’t afford coming to light and moving in with Ciara is a risk I’m taking. The thing is, I have to take that chance. It’s more important that Ciara is safe than it is that I keep my secret.

Lara hands me my phone back, still smiling widely at me. The action brings me out of my dark thoughts, and I’m grateful.

She was a friend to me in high school, but we were never besties or anything. She seems to be excited to see me again, though, and it’s good that I’ll be around friends and not just Gray.

“How has Paige been?” Paige was a couple of years behind me in high school, and I didn’t know her very well.

“Getting married next month,” Lara says, huffing out a breath. “Can’t believe her prince turned out to be Kael Sullivan.”

I frown. “Kael? That’s… Declan’s best friend, right?”

“Right. And my sister hated him. Until she didn’t.”

I laugh. “You’re just mad you didn’t beat her to the punch.”

“Maybe a little.” She plops down on the edge of the bed. “I’m really happy you’ll be staying here. Since Paige moved all the way out, it’s just been me and the boys.”

She wrinkles her nose. “And of course, Bree, but she’s busy with the pregnancy.”

I frown again. “Bree? I’m sorry, I don’t know who that is.”

“Bree Murphy. She’s Declan’s wife. She’s great, you’ll meet her soon enough!”

“It must be nice to have such life in the house.”

“It is. Especially now that Da is hurt,” she says softly.

“How is he?” I hope that it’s not a sore subject. Gray told me about his dad being shot, but not much information about how he’s recovering.

“He’s doing better now that he’s home.” She pauses. “It’ll just be a long while before he’s back to normal again. I miss him.”

I give her a quick hug.

I know how close Gray is to his father, and I assume his siblings are the same. They’re probably having a hard time with their dad so injured.

I’ve never been particularly close to my family, especially not my father, so it’s something I really admire in Gray.

Once upon a time, I thought we’d have that—a close-knit family, a handful of kids.

I never thought I’d end up alone with just one that I have to keep hidden for her own safety.

“Are you and Gray...”

“No. Nothing like that. He’s just... helping out.”

It’s the truth, but it still sounds like a lie when I say it.

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