Page 145 of Toxic

She tightens her arms around me. "I know. Me, too."

I hug her for a long time until she pulls back. Anxiety reappears when I turn toward Sean. There's so much anger on his face. I'm scared it doesn't matter what he knows. He's never letting me back into his life. I beg, "Please, don't keep hating me."

He grinds his molars, reminding me of when his father used to do it. His fists stay clenched in his lap. He turns toward Dad and Killian, seething, "You should have let me kill them."

Dread fills me. I don't want my son to become a killer. I know Sean was, and the O'Malleys, my father, and Dante all are. I know it's in his blood to go into the clan, but it doesn't mean I want to accept it.

"You have everything going for you. Our world is not one any of us want you getting involved in," Killian declares, filling me with gratitude he's on the same page as me.

Sean's body stiffens. He straightens and sarcastically laughs. "I'm an O'Malley and O'Connor. No matter what name I legally have, both make it clear what my path is for my life."

"Not true. You have choices we didn't," Dad states.

"This isn't the time or place to discuss this, either. You're in high school and smart enough for college. The future of our clans isn't in the ways of the past. It's in using our brains, not fists. If you want to dedicate yourself to either clan, you should keep that in mind at all times," Killian reprimands.

Sean stares at him for a moment then turns back to me, asking again, "What did they do to you, Mom?"

I put my hand on his cheek. He's always been a protector, just like his father. But if he learns the truth, it's only going to destroy him. I lie again. "Nothing except what I told you. Now, please. Can we move forward?"

He takes several deep breaths then asks, "Can I change my name back to O'Malley?"

I nod and get up. I go to the bookshelf and pull a novel off of it. I take an envelope out of the book where I stashed it. I open it then hand a piece of paper to Sean and one to Fiona. "I already did."

Fiona cries some more, her tears dripping onto the paper. Sean reads it several times then finally throws his arms around me.

I laugh, hugging him. "Does this mean we're okay?"

"Yes. Thank you, Mom."

"You're welcome. I'm sorry, again."

He retreats. "Does this mean I can go to Chicago?"

"No! You're finishing school in New York!"

He holds his hands in the air. "I mean to visit."

I sigh. "Oh. Yes. Of course. We can plan a trip."

Killian rises. "Okay. Any more questions? Or can I send Dante in?"

"Dante is still here?" Sean asks.

My butterflies spread their wings again. "Yes. We have something to tell you."

Sean and Fiona exchange a glance.

"Why are you looking at your sister like that?" I ask.

"I'll get Dante," Dad says and moves toward the door.

"Is this where you tell us you're madly in love with him?" Fiona questions.

I gape at her.

"We aren't stupid, Mom," Sean asserts.

I refocus on him. "You-you both know we're dating?"

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