Page 111 of Safe and Sound

I swallowed down the emotions rising in my throat. “I appreciate that.”

“So, we’re good?”

“I wish.”

Callum’s brows show up. “Jayus, there’s more?”

“In all honesty, brother, I didn’t come here to ask permission to kill Ava’s bastard ex.” I glanced down at my hands. “I already told her I would take care of it.”

“There was something else that brought you here.”

With a ragged breath, I replied, “SomeoneI never anticipated.”

After searching my face, Callum sucked in a harsh breath as his eyes bulged. “Ava has a child.”

“Aye.”

“And it’s yours.”

I nodded. “A daughter.”

“Fuck.”

“Those were my sentiments exactly.”

As he stared at me in disbelief, Callum said, “Youhave a daughter.”

“I do.”

I jumped out of my skin when a laugh bubbled from his lips. Narrowing my eyes at him, I growled, “There’s nothing funny about this, boyo.” At his continued chuckling, I glared at him. “I’m fucking serious.”

Wiping his eyes, Callum replied, “Don’t you get it? You having a son is one thing. But a daughter? The universe truly hates you, mate.”

He had the audacity to laugh again. “Like you have any room to talk,” I countered.

“True, very true.” His expression grew serious. “I’ll pay for every one of my sins with women through that little girl.”

“And I’ll go down with you.”

“Does she favor us?”

“Aye, she’s got Mam and Maeve’s red hair.”

“Anything else?”

“The poor wee thing looks just like me.”

“Guess that rules out the need for a DNA test,” Callum joked.

“Even if she didn’t look like me, I wouldn’t have a doubt in my mind.” At his questioning look, I shook my head. “Regardless of how things ended between us, Ava was true to me.”

“What did the little lass say when she found out?”

“She didn’t.”

“Did Ava not want you to tell her?”

“I don’t know.” With a shake of my head, I added, “I ran.”

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