Page 54 of The Celtic Resolution
“Fuck Cormac,” he replies gently. “I can feel you’re in pain. I want to help and I’m tired of you closing me out. Since when is that a thing we even did?”
He’s got a point. As twins, we’ve been inseparable for as long as I can remember and becoming adults didn’t change that. Until now. Slowly, I sit up and a deep sigh rushes out of me.
“If I tell you, you have to promise not to react.”
Cian arches one brow. “Weird but alright.”
“I mean it, Cian. Not a word. Not to anyone.”
“Of course.” Growing serious, he holds up one hand and wiggles his pinkie. “Promise.”
We haven’t done that since we were kids but right now it feels fitting. I hook my pinkie around his and squeeze, then I sit up fully and situate myself back against the pillows.
I tell him everything. From how Bruno and I met, the fight we had and the agreement to work together, the investigation that Cormac gave me permission to spearhead, the women we found in the house and the strange connection to the Chinese Triad. I lay it all out with every single detail, including my new suspicion which feels like fact now.
“It’s him,” I say quietly. “It has to be. There’s no mystery fucker using his name for clout or taking advantage of a weakened Italian family. It’s him. Domenico. He’s the one in charge and I don’t know how we missed it.”
“You’re saying there is no set up?”
“Nope. Domenico is either the leader of the trafficking ring or he’s working for the person who is. Either way, it’s theonlyexplanation. Why else would he be so set on turning Rocky against us and making it look likewe’rethe one’s who are upto the shady shit? Anyone else would be doing everything they could to clear their name but not him. He’s doubling down.”
“And Bruno?” Cian’s expression twists as he processes everything. “Do you think he knew?”
“I…” Bruno. My chest squeezes just at the thought of him. “No clue. But I know one thing. He was desperate for daddy’s approval.”
“So he betrayed you to get it?”
I shrug one shoulder. “Believable.”
“Shite.” Cian rubs the back of his neck. “So what are we going to do about it?”
“There’s more.” My heart suddenly picks up, beating like a drum and growing stronger by each passing second.
“What is it?” Cian fixes me with an open, honest look. He won’t judge me and I believe him.
“I’m pregnant.”
“What?” He nearly leaps right up from the bed. “Are you serious?”
“Four months, actually.”
“There’s no fucking way you’re— wait, four months?” His attention drifts down to my flat stomach. “But you look?—”
“Normal? Yeah, doc says it’s a cryptic pregnancy so the baby’s sitting really far back.”
“Who the fuck is the—” He halts and his eyes widen. “The green masked fuck. That’s the father, isn’t it?”
I nod and suddenly tears warm my eyes. “I didn’t know. At the time it was just some fun, y’know. I wasn’t thinking. I was just enjoying the party and life, and there was this handsome man and I—” It’s like a damn cracks. The tears flood my eyes and the next thing I know, I’m sobbing while Cian wraps his arms tight around me and holds me.
“And it’s Bruno,” Cian says, stroking my hair while I sob on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Saoirse. I’m sorry.”
He holds me for a long time while I clutch at his shirt and cry out everything I’ve been holding in for weeks since Rocky’s wedding. The pain of Bruno’s betrayal, the agony of losing him and realizing just how much I liked him, the shame of what my actions have done to this family. I cry like I’m ten years old again and Cian is protecting me from our tyrannical Uncle before Ma did a way with him.
By the time I’ve sobbed my last, my face aches and my throat is scratchy. Coughing softly, I lean away from Cian and gently push him away but he remains close by.
“So,” he says once he’s certain I’ve calmed down. “What’s the next step?”
I wipe my eyes, sniffling. “Huh?”
