Page 82 of Toxic

My father declares, "I'm not leaving my daughter—"

"I'll stay with her," Dante says.

Finn's voice hardens. "No. Everyone out. You, too."

"Tully, let's go find the kids," Angelo states.

Tully points to Finn. "If you harm my daughter—"

"Don't threaten any of us, Tully. Get back on the same side like we used to be. Remember those days? O'Malleys and O'Connors? An alliance so strong, you allowed your daughter to marry into our family? Or did you forget about the son-in-law you claimed to love who fathered your grandchildren and would have given his last breath for them and your daughter?" Liam bellows, walking into the room, his green eyes glowing with disdain.

I stare at Liam, remembering when I saw him last. He was in prison, too. It had to have been over a decade since I saw him. Something about him exudes power, confidence, and maturity. He's not the same kid he was when he got sentenced.

The same feeling I had when I saw Finn and Sean's brothers hits me. I want to hug him, but I can't. Before tonight, Liam had never looked at me with anger. I wince inside once more.

Angelo points to us all. "Everyone except Finn, Dante, and Bridget out. This is my house, and I make the rules. Now, out."

I pull my gaze from Liam's and refocus on Finn, trying not to fall into a victim mode. Once upon a time, I never thought the O'Malleys would hate me. Now, it's written all over their faces. And I knew this moment would be challenging, but I had no idea how hard it would be to feel their anger and know it's all directed at me.

Finn sniffs hard but doesn't object again. Declan pats him on the back, takes a few steps to leave, then stops.

My heart races.

Declan lunges at me, tugging me into him. He quietly states in my ear, "No matter what's happened, I've missed you. We all have."

No wall on Earth can hold up my emotions. I break down as my entire body convulses in sobs. He squeezes me tighter and shushes me, but I can't stop the train wreck that's taking place. It seems to go on and on until I finally pull it together. Declan releases me, and the room clears.

Dante hands me his handkerchief. I turn, wiping my eyes. When I finally spin back, Finn's orbs drill into mine. There's a mix of anger and sadness.

All the memories of my time with him and Brenna flash before me. I start, "Finn—"

"How could you keep this from me?" he asks.

I shake my head and decide he must know I saw her in the park. More tears fall. "She begged me not to tell anyone."

"You knew I was looking for her," he growls.

I nod. "I know. I-I told Sean."

More rage flares in his expression. "Don't lie to me, Bridget."

"I'm not. I told him everything. He said he'd handle it and to keep it between us," I insist.

"Sean would never have kept it from me. Never," he hurls.

I cover my face with my hands. I did tell Sean. He told me not to say a word to anyone, and he would handle it. I also tried to convince Brenna to come with me, but she ran away from me.

"Bridget! Look at me, dammit!" Finn demands.

Pain crushes me all over again. I insist, "I did. I told Sean as soon as I returned to Chicago."

Dante steps closer to me, calmly questioning, "Where did you see her?"

"In Central Park. I-I didn't think it was her at first. She was so thin. And she dyed her hair, but it was her."

"What did she say?" Dante prods.

The vision of Brenna, distraught, is something I've never forgotten. At times, I've dreamed about her, wondering where she is and what's become of her. And that encounter is another thing I feel guilty about in my life. I should have screamed for my father's men to chase after her. It just all happened so fast, and I was pregnant. I close my eyes, responding, "Not a lot. She told me to forget I saw her and not to tell anyone. She was crying. I don't think she had slept. Sh-she smelled like she hadn't showered in a long time."

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