RA'

ol dismissal in her tone. I hadn't expected

nsidered letting i

cut through the tens

nge was

all easy going fun to her. "You should have seen the look on your face," she sai

small, amused smile c

g her head as if she couldn't be

, the sound li

ind, I was

artbeat elevated. If I didn't

as just enjoying the act, playing

aivety of my old life, I would b

e it se

As grateful as I was for escaping the clutches of Ronan and his

ng my expression remain warm, controlled.

ng too measured about it. "And you, Ciara. O

e before he could. "You're making a

ent flickering in her s

retch just long enough before tilting m

wasn't going to perish anytime soon. If Darragh wasn't between us, I was

"Well, I won't keep you two. I'm s

I'll see you befo

ched her leave, my mind still turning over the strange interaction, tr

arshot, I let out a breath.

the back of his neck.

"That much

"She'll warm up t

e is about it. I've been blindsided before.

row. "Hostile isn'

onse, letting th

hing quieter. "I do think we shoul

up my neck, and I looked away, suddenly

at to do with his hands. "I really don'

d at him

saw a flicker of nervousness. "But I would...

surprise and something war

Are you asking me

throat, looking away. "I guess I am." He

my spine, and I felt my

nd I swore I could feel the

pulled out a sleek business card. He held

he said. "So I don't want to rush you. Whenever you feel

ngers over the embossed letter

"Sounds li

ced toward the exit. "I

His hands twitched at his sides, then he shifted, leaning in

a brow,

, then leaned in j

the cheek? He cle

stiffly before shoving his hands in his po

uppressing a la

d abruptly on his heel and left, his moveme

earshot before finally lett

. His name was embossed in silver, sharp and elegant. I ran my thumb over it once

mother, but barely took a ste

. I didn't s

ead slightly, her

. Then, glancing around the roo

econd before answerin

of her glass. "Events like this are exhausting for him. I'm sure getting a mate out o

ack to me, a knowing l

had to leave an event he usually manages to stomach," she adde

ank you for that info

my shoulder, stopping me in place. Her grip was gentle but firm,

y-sweet now, dropping to a whisper as she leaned closer

tly, watching her from

our for you." Her tone was concerned, sisterly even, bu

then, meeting h

e it

warning or attempt to push me away. Stil

a soft chu

casual as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. "He's been through a lot. And I'm just looking out fo

would think that, as a cousin who loves him, y

flitted across the room, taking in who might be watching their exchange

irl's girl, I'll be honest with you." Her voice dripped with

ee how I would react, her eyes searching for

s parents ended up." Her voice dropped to a dramatic whisper. "I'd hate to see you

lpha Darragh had o