The Confession

In other words, was he over Autumn’s and Tristan’s murders? “I think about it. I’m trying.”

“If you want something real and lasting, you’ll have to do more than that. You have to grab hold of your loved ones tight and never let go.”

I tried that once, remember? It failed spectacularly.“Thanks for the advice. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You need to take a leap of faith. And you need to stop making everything between you three so bloody difficult.”

“Thanks,” he grated out. “Last time I looked, today is about you, Raine, and Hammer.”

“It is, but you belong with Heavenly and Beck. You need to stand before an altar, bind hands, and make a lifelong commitment to each other. You won’t be happy without them.”

“What I need now is to hit the can.” Seth turned toward the bathroom—not because he needed to pee. Because he needed to escape.

Liam gripped his arm, eyes narrowed. “You envied me during the ceremony. I felt it.”

Seth jerked free and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Leave it alone, Liam.”

“No. I want you as fucking happy as I am. You deserve it.”

He stared back in stony silence. Why say what he was thinking aloud? Liam probably knew it anyway.

“Why are you still convinced you don’t?” Liam frowned.

It was all Seth could do to hold on to his temper. “I said leave it alone.”

Liam’s expression said that would be a cold day in hell. “I saw you holding my wee Catronia during the ceremony.”

“Heavenly’s arm was going to sleep.”

“If that was the only reason, why did you look as if you were wearing your heart on your face when you held her?”

Suddenly, Seth’s suit felt a size too small. He tugged at his tie and felt his composure slipping. “Shut up.”

“No. You know what you need to do, mate. You should start by being honest with them, because I don’t think you have been. What are you waiting for, a damn anvil to fall on your head? If that’s what it’s going to take for you to risk your heart again, I’ll drop the bugger on you myself.”

Liam was using his “gift” to dissect his soul, and Seth had had enough. “I already have a headache, thanks.”

“Tell me, what would you do if Beck got Heavenly pregnant? Would you love and care for the bairn as your own? Help raise and love the child? Or pretend it didn’t exist?”

“What kind of question is that?” Seth bristled.

“One you need to ask yourself, if you haven’t already.”

“That’s not a news flash. I know.”

“Then get busy. Because if you’re still worried about history repeating itself, think about last Christmas in New York. Remember your misery? If you give up again, you won’t be merely leaving the door open for Beck to ask Heavenly on dates. This time, friend, he’ll walk her down the aisle, put a ring on her finger, and claim her for himself. There won’t be any more second chances. He will love her for the rest of his life and give her all the babies she wants. Can you handle not being a part of that picture? Do you want to be alone, like Pike over there?” He gestured across the room.

Against a wall, the tatted dungeon monitor stood by himself, club soda in hand. He looked lonely.

“It’s not that simple,” Seth growled out. “And you damn well know it.”

“Bollocks. Your heart knows what it wants. It was written all over your face up on the roof. It’s your fear that won’t get out of the way.” Liam sent him a sympathetic smile. “Believe me, I know. I had them, too. You saw what I went through with Raine. Where would I be today if I’d tucked tail and left?”

He’d be alone and miserable, just like Pike.

“You know what I’m saying.” Liam clapped his shoulder. “I’m not trying to beat you over the head. I just hate to see you ache for something so fiercely yet be too afraid to go after it, like you do everything else.”

“Liam?” Raine called, bustling toward them, waving a cell phone in the air. “Your parents FaceTimed to congratulate us. They want to chat.”