Page 150 of Callahan

I kissed her hair and whispered, “You’re safe now, princess.”

With her front pressed against me, I called to my brother.

He asked, “All clear?”

I confirmed, “All clear.”

He stepped inside and noticed Earl, then said, “What happened to him?” as he gestured to who we’d been referring to as Junior.

There was disgust laced with anger in Lainey’s tone when she replied, “I knocked his ass out.”

I pulled back to look down at her. “You knocked him out?”

“Yeah. Those heavy chains they had on me are even heavier when swung with some force. I’ve basically been doing deadlifts fifty times a day for the last two months. I guess it paid off.”

“I guess so. Damn, baby.”

Alan said, “I’ve got to get back to Brian. What do you need?”

Lainey gasped, “Is he okay?”

“He will be as long as we get him to a hospital soon.”

I caught his eye, then purposefully looked down at my half-naked girl.

“I need your shirt.”

“Oh, yeah. No problem.”

He reached behind his neck and pulled it off, then quipped as he handed it to me, “My belt, my shirt, pretty soon I’m going to be down to just my skivvies and my boots.”

He disappeared out the door and the sound of sirens grew louder.

“Put this on.”

She quickly slid it over her head.

“Did they hurt you, baby?”

“No, you guys got here before they could do anything more than cut my shirt and bra off.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Be thankful you got here in time.”

“I am thankful. For a lot of things. But mostly for Shawn bringing you and Conor into my life.”

I kissed her hair again and put my arm back around her waist.

Her expression was confused when she looked up at me, so I continued, “I know this isn’t the best time, but I need to say this now; I was so scared I’d never be able to tell you.” I stared into her hazel eyes when I declared, “I love you, Lainey, and I love your son. I need you both in my life like I need air.”

Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks when she whispered back, “I love you, too. But I thought—?”

“No more secrets, baby. Everyone in Haven Springs is going to know you’re my girl.”

“What about Shawn?”

“Shawn brought us together for a reason, princess.”

---