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I wasn’t sure what I was expectin’ him ta say, but that wasn’t it. I thought he would ask me ta give them privacy, but the fact he wants me with him makes me less anxious.
“Okay,” she says as she sighs, realisin’ he’s not goin’ta change his mind. “Aine, sit down there fer a wee while,” she tells the little girl. “Mammie needs ta talk ta these people.”
Without debate, the child obeys and settles on the armchair with her teddy bear. She doesn’t look at us, but instead, focuses on the carpet. I’m not sure if she’s scared or shy, but I am sure she looks far too much like Rebel.
“What is goin’ on, Orla? Why are ye here?” Rebel’s tone isn’t friendly in the slightest.
The only thing I can guess is that she’s an ex-girlfriend. We haven’t had that talk yet, so I’m still in the dark about his datin’ history.
“I need yer help, Ronan. Ye told me not ta call on ye, but I have no choice.” The woman looks at me before focusin’ back on Rebel. “Ye’re the only one who can help because… she’s… she’s yours,” she confesses.
My stomach tumbles with shock, and a sick feelin’ snakes its way through my veins.
“What?” The disbelief in his tone is clear. “Are ye feckin’ havin’ a laugh?”
“No, Ronan,” she tells him, her expression serious, and her eyes lock on his.
Rebel turns ta me and says, “Can ye give us a minute, Lia? Don’t go far, I’ll come and get ye, but I just need a moment.”
My chest tightens at his request, but I nod and make my way out of the lounge and up ta my bedroom. I’m reelin’. This is surreal. I thought there wouldn’t be anymore drama now we’re finally together, but it seems we’re not so lucky after all.
I know Rebel loves me. It’s obvious ta me. But now she’s here with his daughter in tow, I’m not sure where that leaves us.
I don’t want ta cry. I don’t even want ta think about him leavin’ me, breakin’ things off because he’s goin’ta want ta try again with her. I’ve never been in this situation before, and I didn’t think this would happen. Ronan has a daughter. A beautiful wee girl who’s goin’ta need her da as she grows up.
A knock on the door has me racin’ fer it, and when I pull it open, it’s Rebel. He looks like he’s seen a ghost.
“I’m sorry I asked ye ta leave,” he apologises, his words comin’ out in a whoosh as he pushes into my room and shuts the door behind him.
“What’s goin’ on, Rebel?” My voice is broken. Cracked by emotion as the waves of heartbreak slowly attack me.
“The child is my daughter,” he tells me. “I’m not fit ta be a father, Lia. I’m not a good person to be raisin’ a child in this world. When I think of all the shite I’ve seen and done. I’m too much like my da. I was brought up to emulate a man who enjoyed violence.”
Rebel is pacin’ the room. I’ve never seen him so torn apart by anythin’. And I’ve known him fer seven long years. He stops for a moment and looks at me. I’m not sure what ta say ta him. I don’t think he’s a bad person, but he’s convinced he is.
We’re only just learnin’ about each other, but I do know he’ll make a wonderful father. I didn’t think it would be this soon, but life tends ta send ye challenges when ye least expect them.
“Ye’re nothin’ like yer da, Ronan. But I’m here ta listen if ye need it. I’ll try ta offer advice, but I can’t help if ye don’t tell me the whole truth,” I say to him finally.
I hold my breath as I look up at him. I’ve always seen the best parts of Ronan. Even when he’s been down in the basement and walks back into the house drenched in blood, I still see the man he truly is. The man his ma raised—a gentleman.
NINE
REBEL
Callia stares at me. I don’t like it when she looks at me like that because she isn’t seein’ the surface, she lookin’ right into my soul.
I recall the day I met her and she pinned me with her penetrative stare. It was as if she knew who I was before I opened my mouth.
“Tell me, Ronan,” my sweet dove whispers as she leans forward.
She’s always been mine. Even though Racer found her, it was me who carried her out of that shite and into a new life. I never planned on bein’ a hero. It just happened.
“My da was the one who sat me down and taught me everythin’ I know about life. I didn’t grow up with some sad story, little star.” I lift my stare so it’s locked on hers. “We had money. My parents had the means ta do anythin’ they wanted. Da was a good man, and Ma was a saint. But I’ve seen how easily happiness and life can be stolen.”
