Liam's POV

LIAM

“Peace be with you,” we all said.
“Go in peace, the Mass has ended,” the priest replied before leaving.
Soon after, everyone started to take their exit as well, however, I grabbed Mel before she could move.
She turned to me, eyebrow raised, as if she had no idea why I was holding on to her. Maybe she really didn’t think I would notice.
“What?”
“You have blood on your shoe,” I said, waiting for an explanation.
She looked down and frowned, pulling away from me and taking a seat.
She looked completely at ease as she took a cleaning pen from her purse, bleaching it clean before grabbing hand sanitizer.
“Better?” she asked me with a smile. For the love of God, she had no shame, and it made her even sexier.
I needed to stay emotionless though.
“Yes, now, how did it get there?”
She frowned. “Liam, please don’t make me lie in church.”
“You’ve got to . . . then don’t lie Melody.” She was going to drive me mad.
“I had to settle something, and it’s done,” she replied, standing up and bowing toward the altar, then leaving.
“Of all the women in the world.” I looked up at the crucifix before taking a deep breath and followed after her. I would find out soon. Right now, I just needed to make sure Step Four worked out.
We were leaving for camp tonight. After that, she and I would bond and get back to killing those who were less important.
Neal came up quickly, looking over at me and turning his back to the rest of the family.
“Liam, are you sure?” he asked me for the sixtieth time.
“Yes, Neal,” I sighed. “For the last goddamn time. While we are at camp, you are going to shoot me and you’re going to make sure it’s a good, but not fatal shot. That’s the only way I will let the past go.”
“I could kill you,” he hissed at me as we walked to our cars.
“If you do, I will haunt you for the rest of your life.” I smirked. “You won’t kill me, Neal. You want my forgiveness too much to kill me.”
“This is cold Liam. If she finds out . . .”
I watched her as she spoke with Coraline and our priest. I couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was. “She won’t find out. If she does, she will be mad but will get over it. She loves me, and she’s alone. I simply have to remind her that I’m all she has. Remember what happened last time my plans didn’t work?”
He looked at me confused. “No.”
“Exactly.” I smirked, because my plans always worked.
“Okay, I will do it. You want it on the second day?”
I nodded, stepping forward then stopping and glaring into his eyes.
“You tell anyone of this, Neal, even your wife, I won’t just hate you. I will kill you and her, I swear to God, I will,” I whispered so softly I wasn’t sure if he could actually hear me. The fear in his eyes told me all I needed to know.
Turning away, I walked over to my beautiful wife. The bow on her dress made me smile. She was a gift—my gift—and I couldn’t wait to unwrap her. I couldn’t wait for camp.

MELODY

“Liam, my young boy,” Father Thomas called out behind me as Liam approached.
Liam took his hand. “It was a wonderful service, Father Thomas.”
“You would say that even if it bored you to tears,” Father Thomas said, winking at me. “I must say, you have chosen well, another woman of God in the Callahan family. It is why God blesses you all so greatly. You all honor him every Sunday without fail.”
If only you knew what I did in your bathroom, I thought to myself.
“Thank you, Father.”
He took my hand, and Liam held on to my waist.
“I see a child in the near future, my dear child. God will bless you with such, as well,” he whispered for only Liam and me to hear. My nostrils flared and my eyes narrowed, but Liam gave me a light squeeze.
Smiling at him, I pulled away, hoping Liam would say something, but he was still sitting on his mountain of ice.
“Thank you so much, but we must be going, Thomas,” I replied, pulling Liam toward the car.
“I need your phone,” I said once we were inside.
He looked at my oddly. “Why?”
“Because mine is broken.” I sighed. “Are you saying no? You don’t want me to see you’re past whores’ names?”
He glared at me, handing me the phone. “No. There are no whores in my phone. I simply wanted to know who my wife needed to speak with so badly.”
“My doctor.” I frowned as I dialed. “Everyone seems to think that a baby is popping out of me soon. Why, I’m not sure. However, it’s not happening and I’m going to make sure my birth control is working as well as possible.
Anything else you would like to know?”
“Olivia has had a hard time conceiving, it was leaked to the press a year ago. Declan doesn’t think he or Coraline are ready to be a parents, mostly because he and Coraline are always too busy. You’re new and young—no one doubts you will be able to have children. That’s why they bring it up,” he said plainly, leaning back and watching the city outside pass us by. He wouldn’t even look at me. I didn’t care, not now at least. I had my blood fix this morning. It was the breakfast of champions. I could take on the world and Liam.
I couldn’t wait for camp.