Page 64 of Preacher

I respect that she wants me to be happy and healthy. "I've had one bad night in the past three weeks. I'm trying."

"I'm glad that you are," she says through a yawn. "I'm so damn tired."

"The baby is taking your energy. Go to sleep, babe. We'll talk again soon."

"Thank you for coming back."

I get to my feet, relieved that she listened, though I'm not surprised that she was so understanding. "I wasn't planning on staying away. You've gotten me hooked, babe. I can't stay away from you. I've never been able to."

"You're a funny man, Preacher, but I'm glad you're here." She lies down and snuggles into the pillow. "I wish I knew what your name is. I don't want to call you Preacher any longer."

I lean down and press a kiss to her head. "My name's Kane, babe."

She moans in the back of her throat. "Kane. I love it," she slurs. "Night, Kane."

I smile. Maybe, just maybe, things are looking up. "Night, babe. Sleep well. We've got the kids. They're safe here."

I close the door behind me, relieved that she's here and she's safe. Now that I have her here, I'm not letting her go. Not fucking ever.

CHAPTER24

AILBHE

"Morning," I greet everyone as I enter the kitchen. I'm shocked by how many people are actually here. Not only are all the men here, but so are their women. There are two other children in the club, and both belong to Wrath and his wife, Hayley. Their kids are Ava and James. Then there's Chloe Gallagher. She's Pyro's old lady. He's the president of the chapter and has taken great care of me. But I'm shocked to see Chloe's ma here. I know Callie Gallagher. Her daughter Fiadh is Evie's best friend and the two of them have had play dates before.

"Morning, Ailbhe, did you sleep well?" Callie asks.

I nod. "I did." I glance around the room and see that Evie is sitting at the table having breakfast, Fiadh on her right and Hannah on her left. Mikey and Fiona are sitting up at the bar that goes along the back wall. Both have their heads in their phones, no doubt watching some video on social media or texting their friends.

"I'm sorry they were awake so early," Hayley says with a wince. "James woke up crying and in turn woke the entire house."

"Shit, I'm sorry. You've got enough to deal with," I say, feeling awful that they've had to deal with my kids too.

"Wasn't us," Callie says with a grin. "You have Preacher to thank for the kids being up, dressed, and fed. He's been worried about you. As have I. Why didn't you tell me Jed was being a dickhead?"

"Ooh," Evie says with a wide smile. "Ailbhe, Callie said a bad word."

I shake my head at my feisty little six-year-old. "No money, Evie, honey. That only works on your brothers."

What does she do? Stands up and puts her hands on her hips, reminding me so very much of myself as a teenager. "And you. You told me if anyone swears when I'm around, that they have to pay up."

Callie laughs as she reaches into her bag for her purse. "What's the fee?"

"I don't take coins," Evie says instantly, and I bury my head in my hands. Mikey... I'm going to kill him for teaching her that.

"Kid, you drive a hard bargain. But you're right, I said a bad word and I shouldn't have." Callie hands Evie a five euro note, all the while smiling. "I'm surprised Fiadh hasn't started with that. She'd make a fortune in our house."

I shake my head. "Trust me, Evie's more than making a fortune. I had to put money into a bank account as she had saved so much up from catching Ruairi and Mikey swearing."

"Now now, Ailbhe," Fi taunts. "We all know you're one of the worst."

"That may be so," I say with a smile. "But I don't get caught by Evie." I've learned my lesson. That girl may look sweet as pie, but she's quick as hell to demand money if someone says a bad world. I must have given her fifty euro in the span of four days. After that, I was careful about what I said around her. Ruairi and Mikey don't seem to care. They're not curtailing their curses and will just pay up.

"So," Callie says, pulling the conversation back to her. "Why didn't you tell me about Jed? You know who my family is, Al. You know we'd have been able to help."

I sigh as I take a seat down beside her. I feel the heat of a stare on my back, but I don't need to turn to know Kane's here. "I know, and I love that you wanted to help, but honestly, he hadn't bothered me at all. I was paying the debt, and then he called to the house a while back, claiming I hadn't paid, when I had. Tony hadn't given him the money."

Callie pulls in a sharp breath. "Oh, that little shi—" she pauses, catching herself before she says it. "How many people have they done that to?"

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