Liam didn’t say anything as Gabby put her bag of medicine and gauze on his kitchen counter and walked up the stairs to the second floor. She stood in the doorway to the bedroom he’d let Kennedy decorate last year and claim as her own. The bright blue walls stood out in the sea of light gray and beige Liam preferred.

Kennedy sat in the middle of the bed, watching something on her tablet. She glanced up, and her hold on the device tightened. “You look terrible.”

Ah, teenagers. “I went a few rounds with an intruder.”

Liam said he’d filled Kennedy in on what happened at the house. He insisted she’d been upset and wanted to come to the hospital, but he made her wait at home until he saw the extent of the injuries. If true, Kennedy hid her concern well. She looked ready for battle despite the rainbow pajamas.

“Did you see the guy who did it?” Kennedy asked.

“No.” Gabby hugged her sore ribs. She didn’t want to talk about the attack or think about how useless and weak she felt when he grabbed her wrist and took the knife. She could hear the clang of the blade hitting the floor every time she closed her eyes. “We’ll both be staying here until we’re sure the house is safe.”

“You invited yourself to stay with Uncle Liam.” Kennedy snorted. “How convenient.”

Gabby couldn’t think of a less convenient circumstance. The one time she didn’t want to see Liam or deal with his pain and disappointment, they were trapped in a condo together. “That’s big talk. Are you ready to have a grown-up conversation, or do you just want to take shots at me?”

“A talk about you having an affair with Uncle Liam?”

“So, no to the adult talk.”

“Wait . . .” Kennedy set her tablet down on the mattress and tucked her legs up under her. “Okay. Yes. I don’t get it, but yes.”

The timing sucked. Gabby needed meds and rest. She had no idea who’d come after her or why. Rob’s warnings rang in her ears, threatening to drown out everything else. But, like it or not, the gaping emotional wound with Kennedy wouldn’t heal until they at least started this conversation.

She sat on the farthest edge of the bed, careful not to infringe on Kennedy’s space. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand what happened and why. It’s still murky for me.”

Kennedy shrugged. “That sounds like an excuse.”

Well, damn. “You’re right.” No one could see through you like your own kid. Gabby should have known that from her own upbringing, but she was getting a crash-course reminder right now.

“You lied to everyone,” Kennedy said, diving right in. “It’s really shitty.”