Page 65 of Our Little Dove

“Where’s Kieran?” She asks, clearing her throat. I nod toward the bathroom, the sound of water rushing from the showerhead filling the silence between us for a moment.

I can’t help the sudden anger burning away the relief I felt seconds ago.

She almost killed herself and nearly took us with her.

As I sit up, the weight of Fintan’s anger and confusion is palpable in the air around us. His gaze pierces through me - sharp and accusing. I reach up to touch my throbbing head, the lingering effects of the tranquilizer still clouding my mind.

Fintan’s voice cuts through the haze, forcing me to turn and face him. His eyes are dark pools of emotion, anger simmering just beneath the surface. “You almost killed yourself,” he says, his voice low and laced with accusation. “And you nearly took us with you.” I can see his mind racing as he bites the inside of his lip.

My heart pounds in my chest. I knew they would save me, although I was never in any real danger. Fintan’s anger is understandable, perhaps even justified. But there is more to this story, more that he doesn’t yet understand.

I tested them. I had to prove to myself, and them, that they would save me. Now, I can look past what they did to me. I’ve watched them for weeks and I’d need to be blind not to see that they have feelings for each other.

I know so much about them, like how Kieran rubs the back of his neck when he is nervous and Fintan lightly chews on hisbottom lip when he concentrates or worries. I probably know their quirks and behaviors better than most.

Using their secret love like that was cruel, but I had to ensure they would trigger the gas.

As Fintan’s words hang heavy in the air, I feel a surge of defiance rising within me.

Yes, it was a risky move, but one that had revealed a truth I couldn’t ignore.

“You saved me,” I begin, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling within me. Kieran steps out of the bathroom, steam clinging to his form as he sees me and rushes over.

I stand up slowly, the room spinning slightly as I try to steady myself. Fintan reaches out a hand instinctively, as if torn between wanting to protect me and wanting to push me away. I can see it in his eyes—the conflict and uncertainty.

“We need each other,” I say, more to reassure myself than him. “I want answers, and you want freedom.”

I can sense the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. Kieran grabs my shoulders, turning me to face him. His eyes burn with urgency, the beautiful green seeming brighter in contrast to the damp hair falling over them as he looks at me.

“Alex,” he whispers, his voice raw and filled with emotion. “How could you do this? You almost fucking killed yourself and put us in danger, too.” Kieran’s voice cracks, and he swallows hard, trying to control his emotions.

Looking into his eyes, I search for any hint of understanding or forgiveness. But all I see is pain and anger. I take a step closer, reaching out to touch his face, but he pulls away.

“Kieran, I had to prove to myself and to you both that you won’t let anything happen to me. You’ve done unforgivable things to me, and I returned the favor. Despite all of that, I grew fond of both of you. The truth is you were never in danger.”

“What?” Fintan growls next to us. “What the fuck do you mean? You were fucking acting?”

I turn to meet his gaze. “No, it wasn’t an act. I injected myself with a tranquilizer and I would have woken up in a few hours. In case my calculations were wrong on the dosage, I set up the gas trigger which would wake me sooner, but I knew you’d try to save me.”

“What the fuck! How were you so sure we would trigger the gas and wake you? What if we didn’t and you never fucking woke up?” Kieran demands, confusion ringing louder than ever in his tone.

“So, this was all a fucking scheme to get us to admit we have feelings for each other? What the fuck is wrong with you?” Fintan hisses.

“Your feelings for each other has been scratching the surface for so long, it didn’t take much to coax them into the light. After digging up some of your past, I knew this would have eaten you both alive and I didn’t want that to happen.”

They remain silent for long moments, letting my words sink in. Kieran steps away from me, his eyes traveling over every inch of me.

“Sure, you did all of this out of thekindnessof your heart. Care to enlighten us on how you didnotput us in danger?” he sneers, briefly flicking his gaze to Fintan before his eyes are fixed on mine again.

I clear my throat as I walk to the metal chair, still in the middle of the room, and take a seat as I face them.

“I could have faked this whole thing, but I knew you are too smart to think it was real if I wasn’t really unconscious. You would have seen right through it.”

“What if your little trick went sideways? You have the code to the fucking lock on the door, Alex!” Fintan yells, frustrated by my words as he tries to comprehend them.

“Did either of you go upstairs and check the door?” I ask. They share a look, and their eyes widen as they flash with anger.

“You didn’t…because despite what we have done to each other; you trust my word. There is no keypad on the door, and I haven’t locked it in days. You didn’t try to leave or even think about going to the door during your panic. You boys feel the same way I did that day, and your actions have proven that. We are even,” I say, feeling like a heavy burden has been lifted.

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