Page 80 of Sins and Salvation

He hangs up and looks at me, face grim.

"What happened?"

"Siobhan's dead."

"How?"

"Her car exploded outside her apartment." His voice goes flat. "The Russians got tired of her bullshit."

"Is it over then?"

"Might be." He checks his phone as a text comes in. "Cormac wants to meet."

"Here? In Spain?"

He nods. "Private location. Just me."

I grab his arm. "Don't go. It's a trap."

"It's Cormac."

"Who lied to you for years. Who got your father to threaten me. Who sent you away. Who probably killed your dad."

"Who also made sure we got out alive." He puts his hand over mine. "I need to know what's happening. If it's really over."

"And if it's not?"

"Then we go deeper. Change identities again. Move to another country." He pulls me close. "Or we go home and deal with whatever's waiting."

I rest my head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"When do you meet him?"

"He's flying in tomorrow. His flight lands at noon, and he wants to meet right after."

One day to decide the rest of our lives. "I want to be there."

"No." His voice leaves no room for argument. "Conor needs you here."

"And I need to know you're coming back."

He lifts my chin. "I'll come back. No matter what."

I want to believe him. Three months ago, I wouldn't have. Now I'm not sure if it's trust growing or desperation.

"One condition," I tell him. "If Cormac says it's safe, we go home. To Dublin. No more running."

His eyes search mine. "You want that? After everything?"

"I want my life back. I want Conor to know who he really is."

"Even if that's a Donovan?"

"He's more than that. He's ours." I touch his face. "And I want that life back too."

He kisses me, hard and deep.

"Deal," he says against my lips. "If Cormac says it's clear, we go home."

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