Redeeming 6 (Boys of Tommen, #4)

by Chloe Walsh

“Well, that’s bad fucking luck on my account, because you sure as shit own me!”

She had my heart in knots and my head spinning.

“All of your versions. All of your shapes and colors. I accept them all.

Her lips crashed against mine, and it was in this very moment that I knew I would never be able to untangle myself from this girl.

“This is my world. It’s fucking horrible, but I’m willing to show you, if you’re willing to stay.” “Always, Joe,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Always.”

“You can have whatever you want from me,” he whispered, thrusting deep inside of me. “It’s yours.” Dropping down on an elbow, he leaned in close and crushed his lips to mine. “Because I’m only doing life for you.”

“Yeah, like touching and tasting and…ugh, you know what?” Slapping my hands on my knees, I stood up and paced the floor. “You should stick to the hugging. Hugging is perfect. Hugging is plenty close enough until you’re twenty.”

still backing me up like a loyal teammate.

Joey said that he would be there, and he was. I knew that he was afraid of the unknown. Of his ability to get clean and stay clean.

“Please, Joe,” I begged. “Just stay calm, okay?” When my words failed to reach him, I grabbed his hand and pressed it to my stomach. “Feel this?” I demanded, eyes locked on his. “This is ours.” “Molloy.” “This baby is yours,”

Because I’ve got your back and you’ve got mine.”

“We’re a team, Joey Lynch, and that bastard doesn’t stand a chance against us.”

Ha-fucking-ha, I mentally cheered, go upstairs and change your boxers, you little shit.

“I fucked up,” Joey repeated, tone thick with emotion, eyes locked on my father, while ignoring the muttered rantings coming from his own. “I let you down, and I let your wife down, but I won’t let your daughter down.” He swallowed roughly and said, “I won’t let your grandchild down.”

“I won’t leave her,” Joey continued, ignoring his father. “I’ll be there. For all of it. I won’t run, Tony.”

know, pet,” I heard my mother whisper. “This isn’t a wham-bam relationship,” I decided to interject, desperate to take the heat off Joey and shoulder some of this pressure. “Joey’s my best friend.”

So, when he says that he’ll be there for me, I believe him and all of you should too. Because his word is good.”

“He’s the best person I know,” I added, keeping my eyes locked on his as I spoke. “And I trust him with my life.”

“Yes,” I narrowed my eyes and growled. “The only thing I’ve ever been surer of is your son.”

“I’ve loved your daughter for six years,” Joey finally broke his silence by saying. “I can easily love her for another eighteen.” Goddamn…

“Don’t ever lose it, Molloy.” “Lose what?” “That spark of fire that makes you so incredibly you,”

Fair enough, teacher. I was telling my sweetheart that I love her.

beat. I also told her that she looks beautiful.

And that my heart is inside her.

“It’s your baby, Joe.”

“Yeah.”

“He...

“He asked me if I planned on marrying you.” “Oh my god,” she groaned dramatically. “What did you say?” “I told him that we already got married in secret, and that you got my name tattooed on your ass instead of a wedding ring.” “You did not say that to my dad.” “No, I didn’t.” I chuckled.

She was my ride or die, and whether it was right or wrong, I knew she would come.

“Like I said, I can keep a secret,” he offered with a wink. “I’ve got your back, Mrs. Joey the hurler.”

“Have anything for pain?”

“For your face, love?”

No, for my...

“Joe’s the only parent I remember having, so trust me when I tell you that your kid…” He paused to gesture to my stomach before adding, “Is going to have one hell of a father.”

My baby would come first.

“We want to keep you!” his wife blurted out, causing John to drop his head in his hands and groan. “All five of you,” she continued, hurrying over to the island and catching ahold of my hand. “Especially you.” She smiled down at me. “I think I want you the most.”

“So, what’s it going to be, Joey Lynch? Are we dying tonight, or are we living?” “You’re living,” I begrudgingly conceded, allowing her to pull me back over the railing and onto solid ground. “I’m being emotionally blackmailed.”

Tell my son that I loved him. Tell yourself that I loved you most. I’ll be seeing ya, Molloy.

“I love you, queen. Always have and always will.”

“I’ll come back for you. For both of you.”

I felt the baby kick for the first time today.

Sometimes, I wondered if I stayed still enough, would the world just forget about me? Would

“And I already told you that we’re keeping you.” She chuckled. “Finders keepers, Joey love. You’re mine now.”

And then he opened his eyes and looked at me. And I was done. My heart no longer beat for me. For the rest of my days, it would beat entirely for the child in my arms.

“Thanks for my baby, queen. You still take the air clean out of my lungs.”