Present day…

“And he just walked out of the house? Just like that?”

I nodded even though my sister couldn’t see me.

“Yep,” I sighed, and adjusted my phone against my ear. “He told me that we weren’t broken up, and that we’d never be done.”

“Damn,” Bronagh murmured. “Ryder’s more possessive that I thought he was.”

You have no idea, little sister.

I grunted. “Lucky me.”

“Maybe this could be good,” my sister said, her voice raising an octave with her excitement. “He said he’d answer all of your questions in two days, right? Once he does that you can both work through everythin’.”

I felt my shoulders slump.

“It’s not that easy, Bee, he has ripped out me heart over and over. I’m a ghost of the person I used to be, and it’s because of my and Ryder’s relationship over the last year and a half. I don’t think I have the strength to try and piece back together what’s been broken. I’m tired.”

My sister was silent for a moment, and then she said, “If you think leavin’ ‘im is best for you, then I’m fully behind you. No questions asked.”

I licked my lower lip when it wobbled.

“Thanks, Bee.”

“No thanks necessary. You’re me sister and I always have your back.”

And I thanked God for that every single day.

“I’m so antsy sittin’ here,” I admitted. “I wish he would just come home so I can get this over and done with. It’s drivin’ me up the wall, I just want to get it out of the way so I can start the process of movin’ on.”

“It’s goin’ to be bad, Bran. You know that, right?”

I nodded again even though Bronagh still couldn’t see me.

“I know, Bee, but it’s somethin’ I have to do.”

“I understand.”

“Is Damien still at your house?” I asked.

It was after seven in the evening and was pitch black outside.

“He and Dominic left the house about twenty minutes ago,” my sister said. “Kane rang them and told them that he and Alec had spoken to you so they went out to help find Ryder.”

For some reason, I was worried about him when I should have remained angry with him for storming out on such an important conversation.

I swallowed. “I hope he is okay.”

“He’ll be fine,” Bronagh assured me. “Oh, Dominic told me he agrees with me idea of all of us sittin’ down and gettin’ this shit out into the open.”

“He did?” I asked, surprised.

“Yeah, he said all of the brothers would force Ryder to tell you what he does every night and why he has changed so much over the last sixteen months if he refuses.”

That caused me to furrow my brows.

“They know what he does every night and why he has changed?”

Bronagh said, “Yeah.”

“And they never told me?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“Trust me, I can’t believe it either. Dominic never let on to me that he knew what Ryder’s problem was and why he was being so weird. I couldn’t even look at ‘im when he told me.”

“I can’t believe it,” I said, my voice tight.

I felt betrayed by a group of men who I considered my brothers.

“Me either, I’m surprised at Aideen though.”

My heart stopped. “What do you mean?”

“Dominic said that she knew Kane would be gone off with Ryder and called ‘im out on it at the end of her pregnancy. He didn’t go into detail, but that’s the gist of what he said.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, as a feeling of shock, dread and anger swirled in my stomach.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

A different form of betrayal shot through me like a bolt of lightening.

“I’ll call you back,” I rasped then without waiting for a reply, I hung up on my sister, and instantly dialled Aideen’s number into my phone. She answered after the fifth ring.

“Hey, Bran.”

“You knew Kane was goin’ somewhere with Ryder behind me back when you were pregnant and you never fuckin’ told me?” I snapped.

Aideen was silent for a moment then she said, “I’m sorry.”

I wanted to scream.

“Sorry?” I hissed. “You’re sorry? You knew he was goin’ somewhere with Ry and you never talked to me about it! Kane knows where he goes, Dominic and Alec know, too, and none of them talked to me about it!”

“I don’t know though,” Aideen stressed. “I only knew Kane was off with ‘im, but I never actually knew what they were doin’, and I didn’t even cop it until the end of me pregnancy. I was so caught up with fear after the attack and I didn’t even think to talk to you about it. I’m so sorry.”

I swallowed down bile and my sudden rage when I heard the truth in my friend’s words. I remained quiet for a few moments then closed my eyes and said, “I broke up with Ryder.”

There were several beats of silence.

“What?” Aideen almost shouted when she found her voice. “Are you shittin’ me?”

“No,” I replied and reopened my eyes. “I broke up with ‘im, but he refused to accept it, and surprise fuckin’ surprise, he stormed out of the house and I don’t know where he has gone off to. The lads are out lookin’ for ‘im because he won’t answer any of our calls.”

“I can’t believe this.”

I heard the shock in her tone.

I humourlessly laughed. “Welcome to the club.”

“But why?” Aideen asked after a pregnant pause. “Why did you break up with ‘im?”

Wasn’t that the question of the day? I wondered. Why? Why? Why?

“Because I can’t deal with how me life is with ‘im now. I’m on the verge of a break down. I’m so unhappy.”

“Branna,” Aideen breathed. “I had no idea things were this bad. I knew you were havin’ some problems, but I never imagined it was to this extent.”

“Bronagh and Damien said the same thing,” I mumbled.

“Why haven’t you talked to me?” she asked, her tone changing to one of annoyance. “Why the fuck have you been dealin’ with this by yourself? This isn’t healthy!”

“When things started going really bad, you were dealin’ with your surprise pregnancy and Kane, then with Big Phil attackin’ you and your stint in the hospital to recover from that. I wasn’t goin’ to pester you with me problems, and especially not when you birthed that beautiful baby boy of yours.”

“I could fuckin’ smack you!” Aideen shouted. “You’re me best friend which means you’re a fuckin’ priority to me! You bloody well know that, Branna!”

My shoulders sagged.

“I just didn’t want to bother anyone with it,” I said, my voice tight with emotion. “I guess I felt like if I didn’t talk about it, it wasn’t real, you know? I mean, it’s Ryder, and I don’t want to leave ‘im if I can help it. I love ‘im, but I can’t live the way I have been. It’s killin’ me, Ado.”

“Honey,” she breathed. “I’m so sorry. Look, give me half an hour. I’m gettin’ Kane home then I’m comin’ over.”

I wiped away the stray tears that fell from my eyes.

“Don’t you dare, I’m fine.” I lied and rubbed my nose with the back of my hand. “I just had a stressful day at work. We had a code red on the ward and Dominic gave Ash a hard time when he picked me up, then my break up talk with Ryder went completely wrong. I just want to go to bed and deal with all of this tomorrow.”

“I’m comin’ over even if it’s just to sleep with you. I’m not leavin’ you alone when you’re goin’ through this, not a bleedin’ chance!”

I decided not to object because she was right—I needed her. Being on my own wasn’t something that was going to help me, having someone I loved just being there for me would.

“Okay,” I said, holding back more tears that wanted to break free. “You have your key so just come up to Dominic’s old room when you get here. I’ve been sleepin’ in there the last few months.”

Aideen cursed under her breath.

“Okay, as soon as Kane gets here, I’m comin’ over. He’ll probably pack up stuff for Jax and come with me; he won’t let me be alone after everythin’ that’s happened. Dante is in the sittin’ room right now on babysittin’ duty until Kane comes home.”