Page 81 of Taming Irish

Hope mixes with confusion, and I take a shakybreath.

His fingers tangle in my hair, not tight enough to hurt, but enough that I feel like he’s afraid if he lets go, I’lldisappear.

“But I’ve fucked up a lot in my life. I don’t want my mistakes to hurtye.”

There’s this woman. His words come back at me, biting like ice into my flesh. We never made any commitment to be exclusive, but the image of Shane with another woman hurts more than finding out Chad had been cheating on me foryears.

“You were with someone else.” My voice comes out monotonous, because already I’ve pulled a shield around myheart.

Don’t let ithurt.

Don’t let him breakyou.

“What?” He pulls back slightly, his eyes darting across my face with a look of horror tightening his features. “No. Jeezus, Makena. I wouldn’t do that toye.”

“Thenwhat?”

“I’ve been getting letters. They’ve been coming for a few months now. I’m not sure who they’re from. But…” He drags his hands over his face. “The woman claims she’s carrying mykid.”

“Oh.” I take a small step back, and I see the hurt in his eyes as Ido.

“I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for certain that the kid ismine.”

“And doyou?”

He shakes his head, then runs his hand through his hair, causing it to stand on end. “I don’t even know who the womanis.”

I snort indisgust.

“I deserve that,” he says, taking a step toward me, making me inchbackwards.

“Why are you telling menow?”

“I got another letter. Whoever is writing them knows about ye, and I’m worried she might try to use ourrelationship…”

“How?”

“I don’t know. Like I said, the woman hasn’t identifiedherself.”

“That doesn’t makesense.”

“I’m not sure what she wants. But I assume it’smoney.”

“But she hasn’t asked for anythingyet?”

“No.”

“Do you have an idea who sheis?”

“Yes.” He paces, then sits down on the edge of the bed. “A few months back, I was with someone. It was just one night. But I felt the condom break. The woman took off right after. I tried to track her down, but she wasn’t staying in thehotel.”

“And you don’t remember hername?”

He buries his head in his hands. “No.”

“Do your friendsknow?”

“I haven’t told anyone except ye and the people who have been trying to findher.”

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