Page 58 of Hitched

“I’ve just...got a lot on my mind, bonnie. Nothing I can’t handle though.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

“Na, it’s nothing, really. Just a strange email I got.”

Her neck cranes. “It’s funny you should say that. I got a strange email, too.”

“Yeah? What was yours?”

“Just someone requesting a meeting with me, but they didn’t go through Mandy. I’m not even sure how they bypassed and got directly to me, but I bet you Mandy’s seen it and responded.”

I'm surprised. “I got the same sort of thing, Laney. But I'm meeting this person tomorrow. What’s the name?”

“Some…Higgins? Not sure if that’s a first or a last name.”

I knit my brows together. “That’s the same name as the guy who reached out to me.”

“Maybe he’s bargain shopping.” She scoffs. “Got word of our union and wants to see who can give him a better deal.”

...only it’s not that. It’s something much, much worse.

Chapter 17

Caleb

Getting our marriage licences was all too easy. And it took no time at all, which left Laney and I with almost no time together this morning. But we both needed desperately to get back to work, since we’ve missed so much, what with taking care of Peg, and with the baby appointments. Thankfully, that’s one of the conveniences of working with family; they have your back. Surprisingly, Ethan seems to have mine, and I haven’t yet figured out why. He’s usually the family kiss-ass, and he normally hates me on a good day.

“How come you’re being so nice to me, Ethan?” I ask speculatively.

“Da’s orders.” He says, none-too-pleased.

“Ah. I knew it wasn’t just because I’ve made you an uncle, and you’re going to be an uncle to two soon, as well.”

“Fuck you.” He chuckles snarkily. “Just because you knocked up some lass doesn’t mean anything to me.”

I feel my fist ball up. “You say that again and I’ll knock your fucking teeth out. Laney is the woman that I love and she’s having my bairn and you’d be wise to remember that.”

“You don’t scare me, Caleb. And I’ve got troubles of my own, asshole. But you wouldn’t know that, on account of you fucking around with Laney.”

I bare my teeth. “Like I said, Ethan. If you keep saying that I’m fucking my wife-to-be, I’ll tear your head off. In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve also been caring for a wee bairn, and any trouble that you’ve got, I’m sure that you’ve brought on yourself.”

“Fuck you, Caleb. You think you’re so high and mighty. You think that da’s forgiven you for all that you’ve fucked up, but he hasn’t.”

“You’re just fucked up and jealous because da and I aren’t on the outs anymore, because I did what I was asked to do.”

“I’m sure Laney will be pleased to know that you fucked her just to please da.”

That’s it. I’ve had enough. I slam into him, pushing my hand into his throat, as I force him against the nearest wall. “I don’t know what your deal is, brother, but one minute you’re doing all my bidding for me, and the next, you’re being a complete asshole. Well, I’ve had enough. Don’t do me any more favors if you’re going to carry on like this, Ethan. I love Laney with all that I’ve got and that’s the truth, but I don’t expect you to believe me or know anything about that, since all you’ve ever had was some whore to dip your cock into.”

He pushes me away, shoving me against the desk, pinning me there with his thigh between mine. “That’s where you’re wrong, Caleb. I know plenty about love, I just don’t tell you, because you’re such an asshole, and you’ve got your head so far up da’s ass, I can’t tell whose ass is whose. Now, da asked me to cover for you, but if this is the thanks that I get, I’m through with it. All of it.”

My thigh lifts hard, and I sack him right in the balls, making him drop like a sack of potatoes. “Good! I’m glad that you’re done with it, Ethan! I never asked you to do anything for me, nor will I ever, because this is how you act! I don’t care if da told you to do my bidding for me, I didn’t ask you! Stay the fuck away from Laney! Stay the fuck away from Peg and me, if this is the way you treat your family! I hope some lass broke your fucking heart, because that’s what you deserve!”

He's laying on the floor, writhing in pain, grunting, groaning, but I swear to God I hear something more…I swear to God I hear the man crying, and I talk myself out of believing it’s more than because I just kneed him in the nuts, I talk myself out of thinking that someone let him in, showed him love, and then tore his heart out...

…but I soon learn that I’m wrong.

…so, so wrong.

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