Page 64 of Sins and Salvation

"Get it looked at before you see the boy. He doesn't need more trauma."

I nod, though my mind is already racing ahead to Maeve, to Conor. To the questions Petrov planted.

"Cormac." I stop him as he turns to leave. "Siobhan. Where is she really?"

His face gives nothing away. "In a secure facility, like I told you."

"Which one?"

"Does it matter?"

"It might."

He looks at me for a long moment. "Let it go, Declan. She's where she needs to be."

"I want to see her."

"Why? After what she did to your family?"

"Because she's still our sister."

Cormac sighs. "Fine. When this is all cleaned up, I'll take you to her. But you won't like what you find."

I nod, satisfied for now. "I need to go to Maeve."

"Take Finn. And get that shoulder looked at first."

I drive toward the coast, Finn following in another car. Cormac's doctor patched me up and shot me full of painkillers I didn't want. My head feels foggy, but I push through it. I need to stay sharp. For Maeve. For Conor.

The address leads to a small cottage overlooking the sea. Lights glow in the windows, warm and welcoming. I park and sit for a moment, gathering my strength.

What do I say to them? How do I make this right?

The front door opens before I reach it. Maeve stands in the doorway, her face bruised, eyes red from crying. But she's alive. She's whole.

"Declan." My name on her lips is both a prayer and an accusation.

I cross to her and pull her into my arms. She tenses, then relaxes against me.

"I thought I'd lost you," I murmur into her hair. "Both of you."

"We got lucky." She pulls back to look at me. "You're hurt again."

"It's nothing."

She touches my face gently. "You look like hell."

"Feel like it too."

"Dad!"

Conor barrels into me, nearly knocking me over. I lift him with my good arm, holding him tight against my chest.

"Hey, buddy." My voice breaks. "You okay?"

He nods against my shoulder. "Mom saved me. She shot the bad guy, and we crawled through a tunnel. It was super dark."

I meet Maeve's eyes over his head. "Your mom's a hero."

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