Page 64 of Deliver Us From Evil

“No bother. I’ll see ye soon.”

I hang up, wondering how Cami is going to react.

“Alek’s men have come for Eva.” I start with the good news. “Aoife wants to talk about Shay.”

“Of course, she does.” She snickers, rolling her eyes. “Let me guess. She wants to do it alone?”

“Aye,” I reply, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m sorry. I know this is fucking awkward for ye.”

She shakes her head. “Compared to how fucked up our lives are right now, this is nothing. You do what you have to. Get your own tests done so we can confirm what we already know.”

Reaching for her hand, I kiss the back of it, wanting her to know how much I appreciate and love her. And what she says next confirms she is the only one for me.

“But if she tries to make a move on you, I will fucking end her.”

“I love it when ye talk dirty,” I say, showing her just how much I really do when I smash my lips to hers.

She has nothing to worry about, though her jealousy gives me an idea. But first, I need to deal with Aoife.

Aoife’s directions have led me to a park.

I dropped Cami off at Kavanagh’s, promising to return as soon as I can. Although Aine dislikes me, she agreed to what I asked she do. The only reason she did is because she knows Cami deserves it. I made one stopover before coming here and chose something which now burns a hole in my pocket.

But when I see Shay playing on the swings, I focus on why I’m here.

Aoife sits on a bench, watching him closely. It’s evident she’s a good mother. The way Shay has been reared is proof of that. She waves when she sees me.

Walking over, I take a seat beside her. I have on my sunglasses and a baseball cap, but this disguise is far from perfect, which is why I need to make this quick.

“Hi, Aoife. What did ye want to talk about?”

My tone is sharp, hinting I don’t have time for games.

She clears her throat. “I thought it was time ya did yer wee test,” she says, and I sense a touch of animosity to her statement. “Shay is here, so ya can get what ya need, seein’ as ye don’t trust me.”

“No, Aoife, I don’t trust you,” I affirm, not sugarcoating anything. “I don’t trust anyone, especially after a paternity test I took was a load of bullshit.”

“That’s not true. You trust Camilla.”

“We’re not goin’ to do this,” I warn, not interested in fighting. “We have to co-exist because of Shay, but I’ll never forgive you for what ya did to Cami.”

Before she can reply, Shay comes running over, eyeing me suspiciously.

He hasn’t warmed to me, and that’s my fault because I’ve kept him at an arm’s distance which isn’t fair to him.

“Hey, wee lad,” I say, hoping my tone sounds light.

“I’m not wee,” he states, standing his ground. “Are ye all right, Mum? Why are ye frowning?”

I can see why Cami is so certain Shay is my son, but I can’t get carried away.

Reaching into my backpack, I produce the swab that I received from the DNA test company. There is also a small vial where I’m to collect a hair sample. I don’t want to scare Shay, so I allow Aoife to take the lead.

“Come give yer mummy a hug,” she says, opening her arms.

He narrows his eyes at me angrily, but does what she says. The moment he does, she subtly plucks two strands of hair from his head. I need it by the root, which she clearly knew because she did her own test.

I feel like an arsehole, but it needs to be done.

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