Page 60 of Sins of the Father

The sight and feel of her climax pushes me over. I thrust up hard, spilling inside her with a groan I bury against her neck.

We stay connected afterward, breathing hard against each other. The fire crackles beside us while the safe house settles into quiet.

"What are we doing?" she asks softly.

"Living," I reply. "Finally living instead of just surviving."

She rests her forehead against mine. "Tomorrow brings Collins."

"Tomorrow brings justice."

"And after?"

I cup her face in my hands. "After, we figure out what comes next. Together."

She nods, then climbs off my lap to gather her clothes. I watch her dress, memorizing every curve revealed in firelight.

"Sarah will be safe here while we handle Collins," I say.

"I know." Orla sits beside me again, fully clothed but still warm from our joining. "Your father was right. This ends tomorrow."

"One way or another."

We sit together until the fire burns low, planning for tomorrow while treasuring tonight. Whatever Collins brings, whatever justice demands, we'll face it united.

The Nolan case will close. Sarah will go home to her teaching job. Orla and I will find our path forward.

But first, Vincent Collins pays for seven years of lies.

CHAPTER 24

CILLIAN

Dr. Moran finishes bandaging Sarah's ribs in the guest bedroom. Purple and blue marks cover her skin from the Donovan crew's interrogation.

"Three fractured ribs, mild concussion, extensive bruising," he says, packing his medical bag. "Rest for a week."

I walk him to the door of the safe house. Six men patrol the forty acres of woodland surrounding us. No one finds this place without an invitation.

When I return, Orla sits on the couch while Sarah rests against pillows, still pale from her ordeal. Her auburn hair falls loose around her shoulders—the resemblance to Orla unmistakable.

"How bad is it?" Orla asks.

"She'll live," I reply, sitting opposite them. "The men who took her won't."

Sarah's eyes find mine. "Thank you for coming after me."

"Did you think I wouldn't?"

Orla touches her cousin's hand. "Sarah doesn't understand what she walked into. What our family is."

"I'm starting to figure it out," Sarah says quietly.

The safe house goes quiet except for occasional radio checks from security. I've used the past twenty-four hours assembling all pieces while my men tracked down the Donovan crew responsible.

"You both deserve the truth," I say, grabbing the file beside me. "About what really happened to your father."

Orla takes the folder while Sarah watches. Inside, financial records from 2013 to 2015 tell their story.

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