Page 116 of Choices

“At the house.” Heat creeps up her neck. “He does the gardening.”

“You fucked the lawn boy?” Callan covers his mouth with his palm, holding his lips.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I get to my feet. “I’m done with this conversation. This is a you and him problem.” I fucking knew it wasn’t her doing the flowery shit.

“You’re really going to leave me?” She has the balls to ask.

“I should have never been with you in the first place.”

“I’ll keep the secret about Nicolas,” she says, nodding to Callan and me. “I promise.”

“Yeah, because you’re scared of what will happen to you if you don’t. It’s not the Kings you need to fear, Claire,” Callan points out. He’s not going to let this lie, though. We need to have that conversation when she’s not in the room. “I need to go make an appearance out there. You good here?” he asks, swinging the door open.

“Yeah. I’ll be out in a bit.”

I close the door behind him and turn around. Claire’s wild, fearful eyes peer up at me, her hand gripping my cut so tight, her fists have turned white.

“You have to protect Rocco,” she begs, her teeth clattering. “If you don’t want me anymore, I’ll accept that, but please don’t give Rocco up.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Every hair on my body stands to attention. My heart rate kicks up. I’d never give my kid up, and she should know that. I love that kid and have always provided for him. Nothing will ever change that.

“Michael’s not the father of this baby.” She tremors, her breath coming out in wisps.

“Good.” That’s real fucking good news.

“No, it’s not fucking good, Liam.” She shakes her head, a grimace marring her features. “Michael’s not this baby’s father.” A silent pause seems to last forever, all the air condensing around us. “He’s Rocco’s.”

CHAPTER 34

ROAD TRIP

KITTY

I search the crowd as I maneuver past the kid pool to find the lounger I’d been occupying, hoping not to find Cutter. My phone is still on the ground next to my abandoned beer bottle and sunscreen. Music pumps from massive speakers, and people are dancing and having a good time, making it easy to slip by unnoticed. I don’t know if it’s because the air is cooler or I feel raw, but a chill blankets me, and exhaustion creeps into my bones.

Looking at my phone causes my stomach to clench. Cutter’s name comes up numerous times, but I don’t have the energy to look at the texts.

“Hey, where have you been?” Diamond comes up beside me. Rocco is clutched around her waist, his head resting on her shoulder, asleep.

“I had something I needed to do,” I lie. My eyes burn at the sight of Rocco. I can’t be around while Claire is pregnant with Cutter’s kid again. It will destroy what little soul I have left.“Why do you have him?” I shouldn’t ask, the answer will only cause more pain, but I’m a glutton for punishment.

“Cutter asked me to watch him, but it was hours ago. He didn’t seem happy with Claire’s announcement and marched her off inside.” Her face tilts to the side, her lips pulling into a half-smile. “How are you dealing with this news?”

By distracting myself so I don’t die.I want to go with honesty, but my pride won’t let me. “I don’t care if they have another kid. It’s not me raising it.”I fucking care too much.

“Okay.” She doesn’t look convinced but lets it rest.

“I’m heading inside. The sun has given me a headache,” I tell her, managing a smile.

“Drink plenty of water,” she calls after me.

“If you mean wine, then I’m on it,” I retort.

Back in my room, I kick my sneakers off, noticing the blood splatter for the first time.

Dammit.

The image of Rogue stabbing Trevor manifests behind my eyes. Monster left to go get answers from him, and Rogue told me she’d text once they have them.

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