Page 134 of Illicit Heir

"Oh, I got a head start and already fixed the casserole. I put it in the oven when ya shooed me from the room," I chirp.

"Very well. I'll go mix the muffins," she says.

I lift my chin. "I did that too! They're in the tin."

She pats me on the shoulder. "Thank ya. Let's go finish it up."

The three of us walk down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Smells delicious," Dominick proclaims.

"Aye, it does. Too bad ya won't be eating it," a voice I know too well and makes the hairs on my neck rise booms into the room.

My pulse skyrockets and my skin crawls. Nausea hits me. I put my hand on my belly, spin, and my nightmare's in front of me. I stutter, "C-Caleb, what are ya doing here?"

Dominick stands in front of me. "You're not welcome here."

Caleb's eyes turn wilder. They're red like he's not slept in days, and he lunges toward us. He grabs Dominick by the shirt, lifting him so he's on his toes.

Annie screams and smacks Caleb's back.

It doesn't stop him. He takes his fist and slams it into Dominick's head.

Dominick goes flying across the room.

I cry out, "Don't hurt him!" I attempt to help Dominick, but Caleb grabs me, pinning me to his chest.

Annie runs to Dominick, seething, "Ya bastard! What have ya done?"

Dominick's eyes are closed. His head rolls, and blood covers the floor.

I shout, "Why do ya have to hurt everybody? This isn't necessary!"

Caleb tightens his grip on me and spins me into him. His breath stinks of stale Guinness and whiskey. The scent of smoke covers his clothes, and my nausea heightens. He snarls, "You'll pay for leaving, especially with my child."

"It's not your child," I blurt out.

A sinister grin fills his face, which scares me more. "Isn't it? Your mum says it is."

Something about his words makes my stomach pitch. I open my mouth, but I can't speak. He leans into my ear and threatens, "I know ya got an O'Connor inside of ya, but ya know what? The world is going to think it's my blood. You'll be mine. And every second that passes, that bastard will know that his child is growing up with me as his da. It'll kill him to know his blood is loyal to the O'Learys and not the O'Connors."

New horror fills me. I swallow down bile. How does Caleb know Devin is the father? I barely get out, "Ya don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" Caleb challenges.

Annie sobs, "Wake up, Dominick. Please wake up."

I dart my eyes over at them, feeling helpless and hating how Dominick looks dead. I ask, "Is he breathing?"

"Hopefully not. He's a fucking pussy," Caleb says, uncaring.

I try to push away from him, but I can't. He's holding me too tight.

Caleb snorts. "You're coming with me."

"Leave her alone," Annie says, and I can see her torn expression between trying to help Dominick and me.

There's only one choice. What Caleb wants, he gets. Dominick's life is the most important thing right now. So I assure her, "I'll be fine. Get him to a hospital."

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