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“That shouldn’t have been on you,” she denied, her voice nasal and raw from her tears. “I’m sorry I did that.”
I wasn’t.
“I deserved it.”
“Violence is never the answer.”
“I’m a Five Pointer, Aoife. Violence is always the answer.”
“Not between us. You’ve never raised your hand to me in anger.”
“There’s a difference.”
“Physically, yes. Symbolically, no.” She tugged at my hold on her hands. “That’s why you’re holding them down, isn’t it?”
Not wanting her to think I was tying her down, I released them. “I didn’t want you to hurt yourself.”
She fell silent at that, and when she didn’t move away, I considered that to be a good sign.
“Why are you being so reasonable?”
I could have lied.
Maybe I even should have, but the truth was the only thing that belonged between us.
If I’d started our marriage that way, then we wouldn’t be like this now.
This was on me.
It was all my fault.
“Because I’m fighting for my life.”
“You’re not dying,” she ground out.
“I will without you and Jake.”
The simplicity of my words had her whispering, “I’m not used to you being reasonable.”
“Am I that much of a jackass?” I countered, brow furrowed.
I’d seen how Aidan Sr. was with Lena. I’d taken note of how my fucker of a stepfather had treated my mother, and I’d done my damnedest to make sure I never treated her like they did.
I worked too many hours, but I always made sure I had time for them, even if it meant giving up on sleep. I did my best, but I, more than anyone, knew that wasn’t always enough.
“You’re not a jackass, Finn. You’re just… you’re not…” She sucked in a breath. “When we met, what did you do?”
I winced. “Made you sign over the tearoom.”
She scoffed. “Half the story.”
“And had you come over here.”
“It wasn’t to play dress up, was it?”
My cheeks burned with heat. “I wanted you.”
“I know.”
