Page 146 of Kylie

Kieran sighed.

“I know you think you have a good reason for doin’ what you did,” I told him, shoving my hands in my pockets to avoid pounding him into dust. “I’m sure at some point you convinced yourself that what you were doin’ was right and just. For the greater good and all that bullshit. But I’m here to tell you, you were wrong. There is no valid excuse for what you did. I have five kids who spent nearly two years livin’ without their mother, mourning her death. And Kylie… don’t even get me started about the trauma you caused my wife.”

I had to respect Kieran’s ability to stand there and listen. I could tell he wanted to argue, but he kept his trap shut. At least regarding his excuses.

“How is she?”

I didn’t expect the question, but the answer came easily. “Better. It’s a slow process, but she’s puttin’ in the work.”

“Her foot? Is it healed?”

“Mostly. There’s nerve damage.”

I watched him as the guilt contorted his expression. It helped that he felt bad about what he did. It was his only saving grace. If he’d come here all pompous and shit, I would’ve pounded him into the ground.

“I’m workin’ with Brantley’s team,” Kieran said.

“You’re not back with the FBI?”

His gaze lowered briefly but then lifted to mine again. “No. I’m officially retired.”

“They canned you?”

Kieran shook his head. “I quit. After all was said and done, I took a good long look at myself, and I didn’t like what I saw.”

If he expected sympathy, he wasn’t getting it from me. “Good for you. You fucked with a lot of lives.”

“I know. I wish I could tell you I had a good reason, but that would be bullshit. I did it because I was told to do it. I thought takin’ Martin down, stoppin’ him from hurtin’ anyone else was justification for everything I did.” He looked me right in the eyes. “It wasn’t. Not by a long shot.”

“I heard your partner got killed.”

“She wasn’t my partner. Not officially. But yeah. Martin had her killed.”

I could tell that haunted him. “Sorry for your loss.”

“Yeah.” Kieran stood tall. “Look, Travis. There’s no excuse for what I did. I should’ve come to you back when I found out she was at that hospital. Instead, I fucked up. I took her to that house, thinkin’ I could get her out before anything happened to her. I was wrong and I will never forgive myself. But I will spend the rest of my life tryin’ to make up for what I did. I’m sure it’ll never be enough.”

“Probably not,” I agreed.

It was clear he hadn’t expected me to say that. But I wasn’t in a forgiving mood. Hell, I still couldn’t wrap my head around how he allowed it to happen. I thought I knew the guy.

“We’re still lookin’ for Cicily Rose,” Kieran said.

“No luck?”

He shook his head.

“But you know where Martin is?”

“He’s livin’ his life like nothin’ happened.”

“You think she’s alive?”

Kieran’s eyes narrowed. “I do. But I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”

“Probably not. That bastard’s not known for his hospitality.”

“No, he’s not. But he’s keepin’ her somewhere, and the team won’t stop until we find her.”