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“Wh—” I shook my head, trying to figure this out. “When did you plan this?”

“March,” Mam replied.

“No,” Dad coaxed. “We discussed it in March.”

“We applied in March,” Mam corrected. “The day after I found Shannon and Joey in our house.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” I demanded. “Why wouldn’t youtellme?”

“We didn’t want to get your hopes up. It’s a long process, and we weren’t sure if we would be approved, given our stage in life and our careers,” Dad explained.

“You’re forty-six and forty-nine,” I shot back. “You’re hardly over the hill.”

“We also didn’t want you to tell Shannon,” Dad added.

“Whywouldn’tI tell Shannon?” I asked, gaping at him.

“Because this is sensitive,” Dad replied. “There’s a process we have to follow, son. We can’t just barge into their home and take them—” He paused and gave me a thoughtful look. “Well,wecan’t,” he affirmed, gesturing to himself and Mam.

Cheeks reddening, I shrugged. “I have no regrets.”

“And so you shouldn’t, love,” Mam agreed, reaching across the counter to pat my hand. “I would’ve done the exact same thing in your position.”

“Jesus, Edel,” Dad muttered. “At least give me a fighting chance to put the lad on the right track.”

“Well, I would,” she huffed. “It’s that simple, love.”

Shaking his head, Dad turned his attention back to me. “We have everything in order, son,” he said. “But we won’t make a move unless you’re one hundred percent on board with this.”

“When you say ‘make a move’?” I eyed him warily. “What are you planning?”

“There’s a severe case of negligence in that home,” Dad replied. “It’s blatant child abuse, and your mother’s not willing to turn a blind eye to it—and neither am I. So if I have to play dirty in order prove it and get those children out of that environment, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.”

“Shite,” I muttered. “You’re serious.”

“Deadly,” Mam agreed. “They are victims of trauma. Those children need a family. They needhealthyguardians and a stable environment where their needs are met without the fear of backlash or emotional abuse. They need to be given the opportunity to just bechildren. Their mother can’t do that for them, and the system can’t promise to keep them all together, butwe can.”

“But like I said, this is your decision, too,” Dad interjected. “We won’t do anything without your blessing.”

“You don’t need my blessing,” I choked out, voice thick with emotion. “I want her—and I’m not talking about sex or any of that teenage shite you’re thinking, Ma,” I hurried to add. “I wanther. I need her safe.”

Mam sighed sadly. “I know, Johnny, love—”

“No, you don’t,” I said hoarsely. “I love that girl. Like, Ireallyfuckingloveher, and I can’t cope with knowing she’s in that house right now. I lose sleep worrying about her.” Blowing out a shaky breath, I said, “I got a call off Dennehy today. They’re coming down to see me this Saturday. I’ll more than likely know by the end of the week if I’m in or not—”

“What?” Mam blurted out, eyes wide. “Oh my god.”

“That’s fantastic news, Johnny.” Dad beamed. “I’m so proud you—”

“No, it’s not. It’s not fantastic news, Da. It’s terrifying,” I choked out, frustrated. “FormonthsI’ve been worrying myself to death over how I’m supposed to leave her if I get the call up,” I admitted gruffly. “And now that it’s right around the corner, less than a bleeding month away, I know that I can’t do it.”

Dad frowned. “What are you saying, Johnny?”

“I’m saying I can’t leave her in that house, Da. Not with that woman, and not with him sniffing around. Ican’twalk away, not for an entire month, not knowing whether she’s safe or not, so if there’s a chance I can get her out of that place, then I’ll take it.” I looked at my parents. “Save her.” Swallowing, I added, “Save them all.”

Mam’s eyes blazed with heat when she said, “We will, love.”

“I can’tnottell Shannon about this,” I warned my parents. “We don’t keep secrets from each other.”

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