Page 60 of Passion Restored

And with that, she slammed the door in his face, her hands shaking. He’d brought everything back up again; everything that could destroy her soul, her life, her future. Bile filled her throat, and she pressed a hand to her stomach, over the life growing inside.

She couldn’t become her mother.

She couldn’t.

And she couldn’t become her father…or allow Owen to be that man either.

She closed her eyes and sank to the floor, her body shaking. She had no idea what she was going to do, but she couldn’t think about it now. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she’d find Owen and tell him what had happened. And the fact that she’d even thought of going to Owen for this told her one thing.

She was in love with him.

Now she just had to figure out what to do about it.

****

“Thanks, officer,” Owen said into the phone. “Just let me know if you need anything else.” He ended the call and stared blankly down at his hands. He couldn’t quite believe what the officer had just told him, but the weight being lifted off his chest should have been enough.

“You okay?” Murphy asked as he walked into the office. “You’re pale, man.”

“That was the officer on my case. Apparently, they found the truck that hit me.” And had basically left him for dead.

Murphy’s eyes widened. “No shit?”

“No shit. Apparently, it was one of the drunk guys from the bar. The ones who were with Tessa. The ones I basically told to go screw themselves. He claims it was an accident because he was drunk driving and not because he was out to get me, but still. What the fuck, man?”

Murphy shook his head. “I hope he goes away for a long time for that. He could have killed you. Damn near did.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen or if there’s even going to be a trial. I guess the police will let me know. But I suppose it’s good that we know now, right? I mean, at least he’s off the streets.”

“I’d rather him have gotten off the streets before this if I’m honest.”

“Well, that’s true.” Owen sank back into his chair and rubbed a hand over his face. “It’s been an interesting couple of months.”

“I’ll say,” Murphy added. “Well, I’d say let’s go get a drink tonight to celebrate, but that seems off, considering.”

Owen snorted. “Yeah. Maybe a pizza or something. But not tonight since I promised Liz I’d help her with her plans.”

Murphy saluted as he picked up the notebook he must have come into the office for. “And another one bites the dust.”

Owen shrugged. “I’m really okay with that.”

His brother smiled. “I’m glad, man. Seriously. I know I joke about how everyone is pairing off, but I’m happy about it.”

“Are you going to settle down soon, then?” Owen asked.

“I have to live a little first, you know?” There was a seriousness in Murphy’s eyes that hit Owen straight in the heart, but he didn’t comment on it. It wasn’t the time, and his brother wouldn’t have wanted to hear it anyway. Instead, he nodded before watching Murphy walk out of the office, leaving Owen to his thoughts.

He’d been working his ass off filling the schedule after they’d lost that client. It still grated on him that the one thing he’d done by himself had failed, but his brothers had told him over and over again it wasn’t his fault. Either way, though, Owen would make sure they filled the timeline and completed the best jobs they could.

The door opened once again, and he looked up, his brow lifting as Clive Roland stepped through the doorway.

“Owen, good. I found you.”

Owen blinked before sitting back in his chair, not bothering to get up. He had no idea why this man was here after going with another company and doing it in poor fashion, and he had a bad feeling about why Roland was here now.

“What can I do for you, Clive?”

The older man rubbed his hands together and looked around Owen’s office. He was onsite today, so they were in a trailer on the lot rather than his larger office in the building the Gallaghers owned. It wasn’t much to look at since they didn’t meet clients here, and from the way Clive shifted, the other man wasn’t too impressed.

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