Callum scoffs. “Back to the matter at hand. Camille dies when the baby is born.”
“She’s his mother,” Paddy says.
“She’s also a rapist,” Haley jabs. “And if she were full term, I’d have cut that baby out of her and let her bleed out when I was done.”
Paddy shoots a look her way. “I don’t give a fuck what she is. My son will not grow up without a mother. The two of you will have to get over your obsession of murdering people who you deem unworthy to live. As if both of your hands are clean of blood? Camille has not taken anyone’s life. In fact, she’s creating one. An Irish heir to the Southies.”
Haley’s fist clench. “It was self defense, Paddy.”
Drake Kirkland, one of Boston’s finest, was stalking Haley and broke into her home. She’d never forgive herself for taking his life, even though she had to. It was her life or his, and she chose to fight back. It’s actually a low blow for Paddy to bring it up, but he’s using every piece of ammunition he’s got, and I can’t blame him.
Paddy crosses his legs, folding his hands over his knee. His lifted with confidence he says, “Jason Clarke was not self defense.”
Callum stands, ready to lunge at Paddy. Though Haley didn’t kill her step father, that was all Callum’s doing after he learned what had been done to her. Haley stands, too. She steps in front of him, glaring at Paddy.
“You’re right. He wasn’t self defense. Cal stopped him from hurting other girls. I wasn’t the first victim, and I hadn’t been the last. That’s the thing with people like him and Camille. They take what they want from people who can’t fight back.”
Paddy doesn’t respond. Haley steps forward. She points at Paddy, her face hard with anger. “Your brother protected more girls from getting hurt. You will not ever bring that up again.”
“Or what, Haley?” Paddy asks standing, too. “You’ll have your boyfriend kill me, too?”
“Or I’ll kill you myself with my bare fucking hands,” Haley says. “I don’t hide behind my man, I get dirty myself.”
“I’m not scared of you, Hales,” Paddy says. “I’m doing what’s best for my child. And that’s having a living, breathing mother.”
My heart races, because I know she’s not playing. She loves Paddy, but if he ever threatened Callum, ever meant to harm him in any way, I know she wouldn’t hesitate. Blood or not, Paddy isn’t safe when it comes to Callum’s safety. At least, not from Haley. Callum may have saved her from a shitty situation, but Haley rose from the ashes, prepared to do the same for her king.
Her hard eyes are still watching Paddy. “Don’t act like you’re a saint. You’ve done horrible things just like Cal has. The only pure person in this room is Michael.
“Enough,” Callum sighs, head shaking. “We’re all family and we don’t quarrel. We save that for our enemies.”
Paddy pulls his attention from Haley. “Exactly. And Camille is family now. We don’t kill our family.”
Haley shakes her head, letting out a disbelieving scoff. “I’m going to check on our prisoner.”
“She’s a guest and should be treated as such.” Paddy calls after her. Haley flips him the bird over her shoulder.
Callum sits on the couch again, yawning. He stretches, pretending to be unphased by this conversation. “You have my word, Paddy.”
“Thanks, Cal.”
“I should go talk to her,” Paddy says. Turning to me, he says, “Are you okay out here?”
I give him a supportive smile. “Yes. I’ll be here for you when you’re done.”
He nods, then heads the same way Haley just left. And I’m alone with Callum.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I’mnotgoing.”Griffinfolds his arms, his back against the headboard, defiance in his chocolate eyes.
“You don’t have a choice.” I knot the silver tie around my neck in the corner of the main bedroom. The gold of my wedding band flashes in the floor to ceiling length mirror, and my chest fills with happiness, despite the situation in which I’ve married.
Clearing my throat, I turn to face him. “United front. This has to look good. We’re having lunch with the Sorrentino’s. We’re going to show them how unbelievably in love we are, and you’re going to play nice.”
“This wasn’t part of the agreement, Patrick.”
“The agreement was that you’d pretend to be happy with me. I don’t give a fuck if you hate me right now. You decided to marry me and to play the fucking part. So that’s what you’ll do.”
