Page 118 of Shattered Hearts

These fuckers think they have me. They can think again.

When the elevator doors open on the first floor, my chest is wound tight with resolve. We step out.

“Here we are.”

“Fuck, I left my phone in the room.” I season my tone with surprise. “I’ll go?—”

“I got it.” Rory pivots back into the elevator. “You wait here.”

I’m gone the moment my friend disappears.

Chapter 30

Riley

In the car with Cian, I’m so out of it, I barely trust myself to speak.

Once the initial relief of Finn’s survival reduced like wine in a hot skillet, fear and anxiety laid waste to my mind.

He’s okay now, but what happens when they come after us again? What if we aren’t so lucky next time?

My brain hurts from thinking of all the possible scenarios that could befall us. My nerves are shot. Tracing Finn’s sleeping face was my only distraction these past few days. His blank, peaceful expression tempted me to imagine a future with him, to envision sharing a life together once all of this is over and our convoluted charade is behind us.

Listen to me. Us? Since when are Finn and I an us?

Pain stabs my heart. I pinch my bottom lip between my fingers. Finn’s lips are still here, all over mine, in my memory.

He’s safe. He survived. And soon, he’ll be home.

“What happens then?”

“What happens when?”

Cian’s low, even voice startles me. “Did I say that out loud?”

He engages his left turn signal. “I’m taking you back to the hospital for one more check.”

“My head is fine, Cian. I promise.”

“I threw you against that wall pretty hard.”

What’s that persistent edge in his voice? Worry? Regret?

“You saved my life.”

I take in his strained face, surprised to catch a glimpse of the heart that beats beneath the playboy facade. He mumbles something under his breath and disengages the turn signal as if he’s doing so against his better judgment.

Looking at him now, really seeing him, I can tell he has something on his mind. A vein in his jaw jumps, as if the pressure buildup of words unsaid will explode at any second.

“Is something wrong?”

“Look around. We’ve got enemies coming at us from multiple sides. Don’t know who’s in on it and who’s not. Plus we have business to run as usual while we deal with all of this shit in the background. Bodies dropping everywhere.”

“That’s not what I meant. It seems like something else is bothering you too.”

His eyes widen. When his momentary surprise passes, he drops his head back against the seat. “You and your sister are nothing alike.”

Whether he means that soft utterance for himself or for me, I’m not sure.

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