depriving them both of something special. Something worthwhile. He cleared his throat again and met her gaze. “Keira O’Brien, I love you. When I thought you were going to die…” He pressed his lips together and blinked to clear sudden moisture from his eyes. “I knew if you weren’t in my life I’d be empty the rest of eternity.”
Her mouth opened and she stared at him with wonder swirling in her gaze. “I need to sit up,” she said. She craned her neck, wincing, her hands patting along the bed. “Where’s the control thingy?”
“Take it easy. It’s right here.” Finn picked it up where it lay slightly beyond her fingertips. He gave it to her and she pressed the up button. When she got it where she wanted, he stood and adjusted her pillows.
“Thanks.” She searched his eyes. “You must know I love you, too.”
His heart expanded until he thought it might blow a hole through his chest. “You seemed fond of me, but not really interested in anything deeper than that. Every once in a while I wondered if there was something more between us.” He shook his head.
“I couldn’t let you see how I felt. I didn’t want to jeopardize the mission. And you seemed so sincere, even if you were a tad uncooperative, with the rogue group. I chalked that stubbornness up to you being you.” She swallowed, the movement drawing his gaze to the soft column of her throat. “I do love you,” she whispered, bringing his gaze back to her face. Tears flooded her eyes and suspended on her lashes. “With all my heart. But sometimes I feel like my heart’s only this big.” She held up one hand, her forefinger and thumb about an inch apart. “I try, Finn. I do. Caring and compassion aren’t natural for me. They never have been. Maybe it’s because I got drawn into grifting early in my life and was surrounded by people who used me, who betrayed my trust. And it seems like when I let my guard down, someone like Caladh comes along. I have to work at it. Trust and caring, I mean.”
“Sweetheart, we all have to work at it. And don’t you dare let Caladh’s deception make you doubt yourself. He fooled us all.” He leaned forward and placed his lips on hers, a gentle meeting of hearts and souls, for the first time their emotions truly laid bare. He drew back and swiped at her tears. “For those to whom love comes with difficulty, when they give it it’s that much more precious. I wouldn’t change a thing about you, Keira. Not one thing. You’re my match in every way.”
He slanted his mouth over hers again. Her lips parted and he drank down her sigh.
“Well, I guess this is a sign she’s feeling better,” came a feminine voice from the doorway. It was pain-in-his-ass Nix.
Finn released Keira and gave her a grin, then twisted so he could look at his almost sister. “Hello there, little cousin.”
She scowled. “Don’t call me that.” By now she gave him that directive without much heat. She looked at Keira. “The docs say you’re gonna be fine,” she said. “Anyway, I thought you both would like to know what’s been going on.”
Finn took Keira’s hand in his again. Keira nodded, her eyes wide and dark. “What’s happened with Caladh? Was he the one who killed Deoul?”
“Tobias is certain he did, but they’re still running tests and questioning the bastard.” She frowned. “He’s not talking. They’re holding him in the cells in the basement of the council building, awaiting trial for treason and, most likely, murder in the first degree.” She folded her arms over her chest. “There’s no way he’ll be able to argue a lesser plea, since it’s clear he premeditated Deoul’s murder. Allegedly.” Her scowl deepened.
“I can’t believe it,” Keira murmured. “I never picked up on anything like that from him. Of course, I was barely around him when he was with Deoul. Plus, I think he was quite adept at masking his emotions.”
“Probably. He’s obviously much better at being sneaky than any of us gave him credit for.” Nix glanced at Finn. “Tori and Dante called right after we dropped you off here and told us they set off several charges, both on the machine and in various places throughout the mine, including the entrance. No one’s going to be able to use that machine ever again.”
“You mentioned schematics? And what about the smaller device