Page 89 of Bad Habit
“To get me into his bed?” I finished what Sister Henry clearly didn’t want to say. I hadn’t even told Henry that Mac and I had made love in Vegas, but I supposed she assumed.
“Yes.” Henry pulled her hand from my back and wrapped both around her mug of tea. “I hate to be so blunt, Faith, but men will say whatever it takes to persuade women to go to bed with them, and Cormac Downey…”
She shook her head. “Like I said, Cormac is known for being a talker. When he was ten, Father Graham caught his brother, the oldest one, stealing the Sunday offerings while another brother distracted the collection counters by pretending he was having a seizure.”
After Mac’s confessions, I wasn’t surprised by this story and liked hearing about Mac as a child. “What did the Father do?”
“Nothing. Cormac convinced the father that his brother was only counting the money. Sorting it and guarding it to show his appreciation for the adults who were tending to his sick little brother.”
“Maybe hewascounting it.”
“Come on, Faith.” Henry shook her head. “You’re not that naive.”
I took a few sips of my tea. She was right. And Mac had said he couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t involved in some kind of nefarious scheme.
“He was ten, he didn’t have a mother, and his fatherencouragedsuch behavior. Like I said, that’s all in his past. He’s done with crime.”
“So he says.”
I set down my mug. As much as I hated to admit it, Sister Henry’s words spiked fear into my faith in Mac. My entire life, Mother had warned me that men lied to take advantage of women, that men only wanted one thing, that they couldn’t be trusted.
But so many things Mother had said had been exaggerated or wrong. And I trusted Mac.
What if I was wrong? What if sexhadbeen all Mac wanted—wanted from me?
“I’m sure it’s true.” I straightened my spine. “I’m sure because I love him.”
“Oh, Faith.” The doubt in her eyes was strong as she slowly shook her head. “You arenotin love with Cormac Downey.”
“Yes, I am.” Sister Henry had made her statement without a hint of question in her voice. “I know my own mind, my own feelings. I don’t need you to tell me—”
“Honey.” She took my hands. “I’m frightened for you.”
“I told you, it’s in his past.”
“Okay.” She got back on the stool and took a deep breath before continuing. “Let’s ignore the question of his being a criminal.” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what he does, or did, for a living. Even if he were a saint, I’d be worried.”
“That’s kind of you, but there’s no need.”
“Faith.” She cupped my cheek. “He’s your first love, and I’m sorry to say it, but the odds are high that he’ll be your first heartbreak. I’m just suggesting that you be careful. Guard your heart a little.”
“I appreciate your concern.” I forced a smile. “But with all due respect, you don’t know that it will end in heartbreak.”
And even if Sister Henry was right, it was too late. I could no longer imagine my life without Mac. My heart was already unguarded, fully exposed, open and raw and defenseless, ready to be torn out if he left me. But even if the worst came true, I’d be forever changed, happier because of Mac, even if had to live with a broken heart.
* * *
Mac
Shane burst through the door to my apartment and then kicked it shut behind him so hard the wall shook. “What the fuck are we going to do?” Shane stood over me as I sat on the sofa, holding my coffee, my feet up on the table.
“First order of business—caffeine.” I took a sip of my favorite roast, feeling it wake my insides and my brain at once.
I’d barely slept since Keagan had been arrested, night before last. So far, he’d been denied bail, and while I was stressed about that, I was more worried about how I was going to tell Faith. She’d see straight through me.
“Help yourself to coffee.” I nodded toward the kitchen. “Unless Dill took it all.”
“How can you be so calm?” Shane nudged my legs with his foot.
