Page 127 of Fix You

Callum’s reply came as a right hook to my face, his knuckles bashing into my nose. Blood gushed from my nose as I staggered back. Maeve screamed, “Callum, no!”

“It’s all right. I deserved it for sneaking around with you,” I replied, as I tried focusing my blurry vision.

Ignoring both Maeve’s plea and my comment, Callum launched a harsh punch into my gut, which knocked the wind from me. A wheeze escaped me as I doubled over in pain.

“Stop it! Seamus, make him stop!” Maeve cried.

“It’s between the two of them,” Seamus reasoned.

As I righted myself, Maeve stepped between me and Callum. “Don’t you dare hit him again!”

“A real man doesn’t let a woman shield him.”

Before I could move Maeve away, she floored me by hauling off and knocking the hell out of Callum. The crack of her hand against his cheek echoed around us.

Callum’s blue eyes popped wide. “Christ almighty, Maeve! What the feck do you think you’re doing?” he demanded as he palmed his red cheek.

“Trying to get your attention.”

“By fecking hitting me?” he snarled.

“It was the only way to get through to you,” she protested.

“This is between me and Rafe.”

Maeve shook her head. “No, it’s not. None of this is any of your business. This ismylife, andmyhappiness.”

Callum’s expression turned murderous. “You’re not any girl off the street. You’re a Kavanaugh, and as clan leader, that means as my sister, every aspect of your life is my fucking business, especially when you’re fucking around with an engaged man.”

After spitting blood at Callum’s feet, I jabbed my finger at him. “Don’t you dare disrespect her.”

“I’ll talk to her any way I see fit as the head of this family and clan.”

Sweeping her hands to her hips, Maeve countered, “Then maybe I need to leave this clan and family.”

Callum narrowed his eyes at her. “No one leaves the clan.”

“When I’m treated this way, what would possess me to stay?”

“Maybe the honor or your blood.”

“At the moment, it feels very dishonorable to be a part of a family that doesn’t want to see me happy aftereverythingI have been through.”

A low growl came from deep within Callum’s chest. “Have you even stopped to think about the fucking firestorm the two of you are bringing down on us? Caruso isn’t going to go quietly when the engagement is called off. It’ll be an all out war.” Callum angrily shook his head. “None of our allies are going to side with us. Broken alliances are bad business.”

“I will handle the fall out,” I argued.

“And just how do you presume to do that? The Neretti family is still weak from your father’s assassination, and that’swiththe Caruso alliance. You’ll be cut at the knees if you break it off.”

As much as I hated to admit it, Callum was right. We were about to be completely and thoroughly fucked. Cutting my eyes over to Maeve, fear etched over her face. “I’ll handle it,” I reassured her.

“Have your brothers had any say in this?” Callum challenged.

“They’re aware of my feelings for Maeve.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

My jaw clenched as I stood toe to toe with Callum. “I’m the capo of my fucking family. My brothers will fall in line with my decision.”

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