Chapter Fifty-Five
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, except 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 keep 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 slept 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.”