An Irish Affair (Heart of Hope 2)

“I believe you. I’ve never questioned that. Never.”

I burst out crying.

“Serena. Jesus. I’m so sorry.” He moved toward me and pulled me into his arms.

I wanted to settle into them and let him comfort me, but I pulled back. I had so many terrible thoughts about his mother, but somehow I managed to keep them in my mouth.

He wiped a tear from my cheek. “I won’t let her hurt you again.”

“Fuck her!” I blurted. I stood and nearly threw my glass across the room. Instead I whirled around to see his stunned face looking up at me. Despair wove through me again. “I’m terrified she’ll make Andrew feel the way she makes me feel. He doesn’t deserve that.”

He stood and came to me again. “No, he doesn’t. You don’t either.”

I pursed my lips at him. “Of course, I do. I lied to you.”

He pushed a strand of my hair out of my face. “You did. It also shows what you’ll do to protect Andrew.”

“I’d do anything for him.” Why was he being so gentle and caring? It was confusing my senses.

“I tore me in two to find out your secret, I won’t deny that. I didn’t think I could ever forgive something like that.”

I looked down, again wondering why he had such a caring manner when he was telling me he couldn’t forgive me. His finger hooked under my chin, lifting my head to look at him.

“What you did wasn’t because of me, it was because you were doing what you thought was best for Andrew. My mother, she’ll tell you what she’s doing is to protect me, but in truth, she’s doing it for herself.”

I sniffed, not sure how to respond.

“Another big difference is that you feel bad for lying to me. My mother feels justified.”

“It doesn’t change that she’s your mom and can hurt my son.”

“Our son,” he corrected.

“Right. Sorry.”

“You don’t think I can protect him from her?”

“She’s your mom, Devin. How can you always be there to stop her?”

“I can do what you did.”

I flinched. “It’s too late for that. She knows he’s yours. Or will know when the DNA test comes back showing you’re the father.”

His thumb brushed another tear away. I wished he’d stop. It was really hard not to fall against him and let him soothe me.

“I don’t mean the lie part, I mean the do whatever I can to keep her away, including walking away from her. From the business, if I have to.”

I gaped at him. “Devin, you can’t do—”

“Why not? Wouldn’t you?”

I nodded.

“Do you think I’m not as devoted to my son as you are? Sure, I’ve only been a dad for a short time, but he’s here Serena,” he said putting his hand over his heart. “I’m promising you that I too, will do whatever is needed to protect him. Anything.”

“Devin.” This time I did sink into him, burying my face into his chest. It was unwise, but I allowed myself to indulge in his strength just this once.

His hands caressed my back. “I bet you wish you’d never told me where to find you on St. Patrick’s Day five years ago. You’d have been spared my mother’s evil ways.”