Page 18 of Shine: Sins of the Father (Evil Dead MC: Second Generation #8)

Fiona—

My parents walk in my shop, and I stay behind the register, praying Rafe will change his mind and keep his mouth shut.

“How’s my girl?” my father asks.

“Good. I had a great day. Look.” I slide him the register tape, and he scans it.

“Wonderful. I’m proud of you, Fiona. You’ve really busted your ass. You had a dream, and you made it happen. That’s more than a lot of people in the world ever do. That takes guts.”

“It does,” my mother agrees. “And our girl has that in spades.”

“You want a cupcake, Daddy?” I offer, opening the case. “Here, try this. It’s the flavor of the day. Tiramisu.” I pass him one.

“Ooh. Tiramisu. I’ll take one. I love tiramisu,” my mother says, and I give her one, glancing surreptitiously at my brother.

He stands with his arms folded, but even though I know he’s going to tell them, I see no pleasure on his face. We spend a few minutes pleasantly with my parents enjoying their treat. But my stomach is in knots, knowing Rafe’s just waiting for the right time to drop the bomb.

Instead of blurting it, he throws it to me. “Fiona has something she needs to tell you. I’ll wait outside.” With that, Rafe walks out, and my mouth drops open.

My father leans a hand on the counter, his other on his hip. “What do you need to tell us, honey?”

After all that talk about how brave I am, I decide to be just that.

After all, I’m not a child. I’m a grown woman with her own business.

I’ve got to take responsibility for this, too.

I lick my lips, but I can’t get the words out, so I do the only thing I can think of.

I pull the apron off and come out from behind the counter.

My father’s eyes drop to my rounding belly, then flick up to mine. I glance to my mother, and she lifts a hand, her fingertips going to her mouth.

“Fiona,” she whispers.

“Are you…?” my father begins, but he can’t even finish the question, his face tight.

“Yes. I’m pregnant. Twenty weeks. I’ve been to the doctor. The baby is due March 27 th . I actually have an ultrasound on Friday. Mom, would you go with me?”

My father seems stunned speechless, but my mother dashes to me and pulls me into a hug, her eyes filling with tears. As we hold each other, I’m not sure if they’re happy tears or sad until she pulls back and huffs a laugh.

“Oh, my baby. My baby is having a baby. I can’t believe it.” She cups my cheeks. “You’re well? You’re feeling good?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m fine, just tired. And lately, I’ve been hungry all the time.”

My father’s voice cuts across the room. I guess his shock has worn off.

“Who’s the father, Fiona?” It’s his I’m-not-fucking-around voice.

“Wolf,” my mother whispers, but he holds up a finger and doesn’t lose my eyes.

“Who, baby girl? Give me a name. Do we know this boy?”

“Boy?” I ask. “I’m a grown woman.”

“Apparently,” he snaps. “Who’s the father?”

“That’s between me and him.”

My father’s brows lift. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“Wolf, calm down,” my mother snaps. “Now is not the time for this.”

“It’s exactly the time. Why can’t she give me a name?”

“Look at you, Daddy. You look like you’re ready to kill someone. I’m pregnant. There’s going to be a baby, and I’m sure you’re going to love her or him. Right?”

“Of course, I’m going to love the baby. What’s that got to do with this?”

“Can you just be happy for me and not worry about who the father is?”

“Are you happy about this?” he snaps. “If you are, why haven’t you shared the news?”

“I needed time to adjust to it myself. I have. I’m going to love this baby, and I’m going to raise it on my own. What I’m not going to do is talk about who the father is. He’s not part of our lives. End of story.” With that, I slam the counter.

“You’re being unreasonable. Why can’t you tell me? You do know, right?”

“Wolf,” my mother snaps. “That’s enough. What a thing to say. Don’t talk to her like that. I won’t have it. Do you understand?”

My father rakes his hand through his hair and drags in a breath.

“I’m sorry. It’s all a shock. I need to cool off.

” He walks out the door, and Rafe straightens from the lamp post he was leaning against. They both walk to Rafe’s truck, and my father gets in the passenger side. A moment later, they drive off.

I look at my mother. “That went well.”

“He’ll get over it. It’s just a shock. I think he always had dreams of walking you down the aisle. That’s what he wants for you.”

“I’m not saying I won’t eventually get married, but I don’t think it’s in the cards anytime soon, Mom. Where do you think Dad went?”

“To the clubhouse to cross-examine every man in the place.” She pulls back and cups my face. “Was it one of them?”

“The boys in the San Jose clubhouse? No, Mom. It wasn’t any of them.”

“Good.”

“Why good?” I ask.

“It would cause a lot of strife in the club. Especially if you didn’t want them or they knew you were pregnant and didn’t step up.”

“God, I feel horrible that he’s going to cause a scene.”

“Don’t worry about it. Fiona?”

“Yes?”

“Raising this baby on your own… Is that what you want or did this guy bail on you?”

“Mom.”

“Does he even know about the baby? Have you told him?”

I suck in a slow breath. This is the part I really wanted to avoid. “Mom, he was just a guy I met. I barely know him. It was a one-night stand kind of deal.”

“Oh.” She tilts her head. “Do you know his name or how to reach him?”

“We never exchanged last names or numbers. It just… happened, Mom. I’m not proud of it, but here we are. So, I’m going to love this baby, and I’m going to raise it on my own, because that’s the hand life dealt me.”

“I’m here for you, Fiona. We’ll all be here for you. You know that, don’t you?”

I nod, and my eyes fill. She hugs me again and strokes my head. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

“What about Dad?”

“Just give him time. You hungry?” she asks.

“I’m always hungry these days.”

“Come on. I’ll buy you dinner.”