Page 81 of Yours

My heart raced, the sound of his voice echoing in my head, as if my mind couldn’t quite believe what my ears had heard. He’d said it so plainly, without hesitation, like it wasn’t the single most shocking thing anyone had ever said to me.

I looked up at him, searching his face for any hint of uncertainty, any sign that he might take it back. But there was nothing but calm, steady resolve in his gray eyes. His hand rested against my cheek, his thumb brushing softly over my skin, grounding me in the moment.

And then he kissed me.

His lips were warm and soft, his kiss unhurried but filled with a depth of emotion that stole the breath from my lungs. My eyesfluttered closed as I leaned into him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt like it was the only thing tethering me to the earth.

The kiss wasn’t demanding, wasn’t possessive—it was everything Ronan usually wasn’t.

Gentle. Patient. Vulnerable.

My chest tightened as something inside me cracked wide open, the pieces of my defenses falling away with every brush of his lips against mine.

How had this happened? How had I gone from fighting him at every turn to feeling like I couldn’t breathe without him? How had I gone from defying him to… this?

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm on my lips. I opened my eyes to find him watching me, his gaze steady and unwavering.

“I meant it,” he said, his voice low and sure. “I love you, Kiera.”

The lump in my throat grew tighter, my heart pounding. Every part of me wanted to run, to push him away, to throw up the walls I’d spent so long building around myself. But I couldn’t.

Because I loved him too.

The realization hit me like a wave, sweeping over me with a force that left me breathless. It wasn’t just the way he made me feel safe, or the way he challenged me, or even the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world.

It washim.

I swallowed hard, my voice barely a whisper as the words slipped free from my lips.

“I love you too.”

Ronan froze, his gaze sharpening as he studied me, as if he needed to make sure he’d heard me correctly.

“Say it again,” he murmured, his voice soft, but edged with something raw.

“I love you,” I said, louder this time.

His lips curved into a faint, almost disbelieving smile before he pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly it felt like he was afraid to let go.

“That’s my girl,” he murmured against my hair, the praise sending a rush of warmth through me.

I buried my face against his chest, my arms wrapping around him as the truth settled over me, soft and certain.

Then his phone rang.

And our entire world fell apart.

CHAPTER 30

Ronan

My phone vibrated against the nightstand again and I leaned forward to pick it up. I glanced at the screen and saw Bradan’s name.

I answered, bringing the phone to my ear. “Talk.”

“Boss.” Bradan’s voice was frantic, strained, and raw with pain. “It’s… it’s bad.”

I sat up straighter, every nerve in my body going on high alert. “What happened?”

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