Redeeming 6 (Boys of Tommen, #4)

by Chloe Walsh

“I never should have left you there,” I said hoarsely. “I didn’t protect you, and I’m so fucking sorry for that.” “You’re not supposed to have to protect me like that,” she cried. “You’re not supposed to have to worry about that happening. Fathers aren’t supposed to do the things your father does, Joe.” I knew that. Of course I fucking knew that. “I’m not him,” I choked out, needing her to hear me, to fucking believe me. “I’m not, Aoife, I swear.” Reaching up to cup her face between my hands, I pulled her head close to mine and whispered, “I am nothing like that man.” “I know you’re nothing like him,” she cried, leaning close to rest her brow to mine. “But I’m nothing like you, Joe.” “What does that mean?” “It means that I can’t brush something like this under the table the way you can.” “I’m not asking you to,” I hurried to say. “I’m not. I’ll take you to the station myself, Aoife. I won’t cover for him anymore, I swear to you, and I will never ask you to do that.”