Liam From Rhys’s Cullinan, I stare at my wife and Max at the Italian restaurant. Why this
place? Why that table? I’m certain she didn’t pick them for no reason. If I didn’t know
better, I’d assume she was there to relive the memory with Simon, exc ept Max is the wrong
person for that. Olivia seems to be doing okay. A little wan, but she seems at peace after
getting Hugh and his family out of her life. Tyler’s finished, too. Jeremiah told me the
prosecutor and police already took photos from the worst angles to ensure he looks like a
total piece of shit. “If there’s anybody on the jury who’s ever had a loved one get pregnant,
they’ll find the fucker guilty,” Jeremiah said last time I called. “Just so you know, it might be
cheaper to get a therapist to listen to you unload your angst. Do you know what my billing
rate is?” “I don’t care. Just make sure he pays.” “He will. I know every prosecutor. If not,
Catalina does.” Okay, fair enough. Catalina Huxley is retired, but she was one of the most
prolific and respected prosecutors in the country. She knows how to pull strings, and many,
many people owe her favors. I stay in the car while Olivia and Max eat their lunch. My wife
has to know about the bad-actor clause... Does she still want the baby? It’s ironic she only
married me for the baby, but ended up not needing either of us. Because the baby never
even qualified as a pawn. A fist clenches around my heart. I never imagined that a baby I
created with the woman I’ve loved for twelve years would end up like this... Angelo looks
back at me from the driver’s seat. “You know you can just go talk to your wife, right? She’s
in the restaurant. Right there in front of
you.” “Shut up.” Angelo shakes his head, sucking his teeth. “Can’t believe you caught the
bouquet just to end up like this. It’s technically stalking, you know.” I glare at him. “You
can’t stalk your wife.” “That what Jeremiah told you?” “I’m sure Rhys told you to just take
me to the restaurant, not lecture me on what to do.” “No. He told me to drive Max to the
restaurant because he’s worried about her safety. And you wanted to tag along. I could be
watching a documentary.” Angelo looks out the window forlornly and sighs. “Shorebirds.”
“I’m not stopping you.” “Yeah, you are. Told me to lower the volume, like you can hear
anything from the restaurant.” “They’re fucking birds.” I grind my teeth. “Angelo—” The
door opens and Max climbs in. “You should’ve come in,” she says, looking straight at me.
“Told you.” Angelo smirks. “No,” I say. “How’s she doing?” “How do you think? She’s
pregnant, hormones surging like a tide with five moons, and she’s alone, no husband to hold
her and rub her back.” “If she isn’t showing yet, her back’s probably fine,” Angelo says.
“Really?” If Max’s eyes were rocket launchers, he’d be dead. “Have a lot of personal
experience being pregnant, do we?” Angelo suddenly seems unsure of himself. “Uh... No.”
“Right. So snap it shut and ke ep it shut.” She makes a zipping motion across her lips, then
turns to me. “She looked really wistful and sad when I told her what Rhys does for me.”
Guilt burns in my chest, but there’s an element of relief as well. Olivia is still pregnant with
my baby. I should be there for her, but... “Does she want it?” I manage through a tight
throat. “Want what?” “The baby. Does she still want it? Hugh’s screwed already, you know.”
“What?!” Max screeches. “What the hell kind of talk is that, Liam?” “She just wanted the
baby to fuck her dad over. But that’s done, so...” I shove my fingers into my hair. I don’t
even know what I’m thinking
anymore. My thoughts are too jumbled, and I haven’t sl ept in too long. “Don’t be a moron!
Of course she wants the baby! She—” Max stops and inhales. Closes her eyes, and seems to
be counting. Finally, she regards me again. “She needs you.” Her voice softens. “And you
love her.” I look away. Max wasn’t there when Olivia couldn’t even admit that she has any
sort of feelings for me. “And,” Max says, “I’m sure Olivia won’t be so cruel as to deny you
access to the baby if that’s what you’re thinking.” “Every woman wants a trustworthy
babysitter,” Angelo says, nodding sagely. “Angelo, just drive.” Max turns back to me.
“You’re Liam Fucking Kingswood. You’re the father of her baby. So don’t let her get away
without a fight. If she doesn’t love you the way you deserve, make her.”