″Not as horrible as what I watched her go through. Ma was never the same after that. She still hasn’t recovered. I can see it in the way she looks at us kids sometimes. That dull and distant stare as if she’s wondering what life would be like with another kid in the mix.”
″She’s a brave woman. Is that why you moved to the states?”
″It is. Da found out his boss was behind the order and killed him without permission from the Irish Republican Army. They understood but it still isn’t allowed. He should have been killed, but Ma’s family had some sort of pull in the British Parliament and they felt it could be used to their advantage. They shipped Da off to the states and used a lord to pull some strings for something and Da was forgiven.”
″Jesus. So, your mom is like British royalty or something?”
I chuckle as I stroke small circles on her back. ”Her father was loosely related somehow. It’s been so long and we don’t discuss it.” I turn, pressing a kiss to her temple. A large, shaky exhale forces its way out of my chest. “I’m a protective bastard. It’s not going to change. But I promise I’ll try and be better for you, Doc. It’s not my intention to control you. It’s just that I don’t want anything like that to happen to you.”
She nods, propping herself up. ”When I’m pregnant you’re going to be a grumpy, controlling asshole, aren’t you?”
My chest constricts.When, not if.“Definitely.”
″I need to work, Cal. That’s my little slice of control that I just can’t sacrifice. Surgery grounds me. And I don’t like being kept in the dark when it comes to my safety. You shouldn’t have kept the shit with the Russians from me. This is a partnership and we have to be honest.”
″I know. I’ll tell you everything you need to know from here on out.”
She sits up, crossing her legs like a pretzel and glances down at me. “Good. You can start by telling me what you did to Jason.”
″I carved some letters into his chest a few weeks ago.”
Her eyes widen. “What? When?”
″The day Andi showed up. I flew to Seattle and took him from his house. I staged his confession letter and made him disappear. Made it look like a boating accident. Then when your dad came accusing you of being in love with the fucker, I made sure there would be no confusion about what he did. Sean put together some evidence and had it sent to the police station and news outlets today.”
″The day Andi showed up? That was the morning after I told you everything.”
I shrug. “I work fast.”
″You do,” she laughs.
″My cousins kept him busy.”
Haley’s hands reach for my shirt, unbuttoning the top. Her cheeks flush as she runs a finger along my clavicle.
″Are you getting horny, Doc?”
″Of course I am. You killed my monster. And you know I like dirty talk.”
I chuckle. “My cousins cut him enough to need stitches but never let him bleed too much. He needed to be ready for last night. Normally I’ll drug them, but I wanted him to suffer, to be lucid and regret everything he ever did to you.”
She bites her lip, fumbling with the last button on my shirt. Once it’s free, she pulls the fabric open and straddles my waist. Brown wavy locks fall in her face as her jean-clad center pushes against my erection.
″What did you carve into him?”
″Pedophile.”
Haley lifts her shirt over her head. I drag my bottom lip between my teeth, pleased to see she doesn’t have a bra on.
″After you left, Dec held his head while I pried his mouth open. I took out his tongue with my blade.”
She gasps, staring at me with hooded lids. I want to touch her, claim her as mine again, but I sense this is something more. Something she needs to explore herself.
Her nipples are hardened, begging for my mouth, but I don’t move as her nails dig into my chest.
″I didn’t think you’d do that,” she whispers.
″I said I would and I meant it.”