Page 183 of Bad Bishop

I loved her just a little more than anyone ought to be loved. For taking her tragic circumstances, accepting them, and shaping them into a triumph.

“Nero, stop hanging from the chandelier,” I tested the name humorlessly. “Nero, put that gun down. No firearms before you’re six. Yeah. Got a nice ring to it.”

She grinned at me, aglow. “He’ll be Nero to the world, but Enni to me. I’ll protect him in all the ways my parents never protected me.”

I believed her. She was going to be the mother she’d deserved.

“Go now.” She reached to caress my jaw. I leaned into her touch instinctively.

“You sure?”

“Certain,” she verbalized.

Nodding, I kissed her again and closed the door behind me.

“Sir.” One of my errand boys appeared as soon as I stepped out into the hallway, catching my step.

“Do you need your drivers? Soldiers? Should I fetch anyone?”

I shook my head. “Get the car running. I’m leaving alone.”

I wasn’t going to take a shower, a nap, or a piss.

On my way out, I bumped into Imma, Chiara, and Tierney making their way to Lila. They were carrying food platters, plush teddy bears, and handknitted blankets.

“How’s the bundle of joy?” Tierney cried out with joy.

“See for yourself,” I answered cryptically, not stopping to greet them as I advanced toward the door.

Five minutes later, I was in my car, driving toward my father’s place. Fintan’s phone was still there. I knew, because I had a tracker on it, as with everyone in my family.

How did the saying go? If you love someone, let them go. Just make sure you know exactly where their ass is twenty-four seven, because you have deep-rooted trust issues.

You put him in charge of her.

Forced her to spend time with him on a weekly basis.

He was her keeper. After our wedding. At the hospital. The only man who was allowed to stay with her alone.

I veered off the convoluted country path to the shoulder of the road, pushed the driver’s door open, and vomited the entire contents of my stomach onto my shoe.

Wiping my mouth with the back of my sleeve, I took a few deep breaths, forcing myself to calm down. I’d never been this disoriented in my entire life.

Repositioning myself in the car seat, I flicked the engine back to life and resumed my driving.

Fifteen minutes into my drive, my Bluetooth rang with an incoming call.

Fintan, the screen said.

So. Tierney met her new nephew.

Figures. My sister’s favorite cardio was running her mouth.

I hit the green button. Why the fuck not?

“This is not what it looks like,” my older brother said in a high-pitched voice.

I allowed a beat of silence, just to screw with his nerves, before replying dully, “If you want to prolong your death by making me do a paternity test before killing you, I’m not opposed to that. As long as you’re aware I’d be twice as pissed if I find out you lied on top of raping my wife. And let’s just say I’m already not in a generous mood.”