Page 97 of Reckless Promises

Odette

Cillian hasn’t been backto the hospital since last night.

He stopped in my room a final time after talking with Michelle, and then left totake care of things. Not that he elaborated on what those things are. And it doesn’t really matter.

Whether he’s here or not, he won’t let anyone through the door to my room without his security team calling him for approval first. And it’s for the best because I’m still trying to swallow what the doctor revealed about my bloodwork.

I’m pregnant.

The shock is still settling in—not that I should be surprised. I’m not on birth control and Cillian doesn’t use protection.

I want to be excited about it because having Cillian’s baby is a way to carry around another piece of him. Butafter everything that’s happened in the past twenty-four hours, the reality of those words makes me sicker to my stomach than I already am.

At least the poison didn’t affect the baby.

After the doctors ran more tests, they determined that whatever was slipped into my food was natural, not actually intended to kill me, just to make me sick. They want me alive but also want to make a statement.

Mission accomplished.

Either way, the doctor continues to run tests to make sure both of us are fine. Me andmy baby.

I rest my hand over my stomach and can almost feel the life blooming. Cillian’s child growing inside me.

I considered telling him when he stopped to see me before leaving last night, but there were so many storm clouds brewing in his eyes that I hesitated. When he hears this, I hope it’s good news. And right now, all it will be is another tally he adds to his list of reasons for vengeance.

I overheard him with Daniel, and I know things with my father are at a tipping point. I need him to have a clear head, so he’ll uphold his promises, instead of letting his rage get the better of him.

When this is over, I’ll tell him the truth, and hope his reaction doesn’t destroy me.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Fallon’s high-pitched disbelief comes from the other side of my hospital room door. “You know who I am, Daniel. I don’t need my brother’s permission to see my sister-in-law.”

He grumbles something back, not letting her pass until he hangs up his phone. But when he reaches for the door handle, she grabs it first, pushing her way through.

“Ridiculous.” She shuts the door behind her, flipping off Daniel through the window before walking over to me. Her eyes move to my hands on my stomach. “Oh no, still sick?”

“I’m fine.” I quickly move my hands before she thinks anything more of it. “The doctor said it just takes some time to work the poison out of your system.”

“My goodness, girl.” She laughs. “You say that like it’s totally normal.

It probably shouldn’t be. But this isn’t the first time someone has gone through me to get to the man in my life. It is, however, the first time they’ve gotten so close. And it’s all because Cillian understands my need for personal freedom when my father never did.

Another thing Cillian is probably beating himself up about right now.

“Have you talked to Cillian this morning?” I ask Fallon.

“He hasn’t been here?”

I shake my head.

“Called?”

“Not today. But I know he’s busy.” And I haven’t tried to call him either, because if he doesn’t answer, I don’t know what that will do to me.

“Men can be so fucking irritating.” Fallon groans, dropping into the chair beside my bed.

“I’m getting discharged soon, so I’m sure he’ll be back.”

“How romantic.” Fallon rolls her eyes. “Promise me you’ll smack him when he does return. Or, better yet, let me do it.”

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