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He rolled his eyes to the ceiling and tried to think of anything but her warm, soft lips on his skin.
“What was your childhood like?” she asked. “Back in Ireland?”
Something inside him stilled and his throat tightened. “Normal.”
Silence fell in the room.
“I know your mom died,” she said quietly. “Are you close to your dad?”
“No.” It was hard work to force the word out.
“If you don’t want to talk about it with me, that’s fine.”
Her tone was soft and even, but he was an expert in all things Addie. He heard the hurt she was trying to hide.
He blew out a breath. “My ma and little sister died.” He gritted his teeth, flashes of the horror he tried never to remember hitting him like acid, chewing on his heart.
She gasped. “I’m sorry. How old were you?”
“Eighteen. I was just finishing school.” Afterward, he’d joined the military. “Da isn’t a man of many words. And with my mother and sister gone…” Things had been awkward. Neither of them had talked. Bram had been grieving and feeling guilty. His father’s silence had just made him angrier.
“I’m so sorry, Bram. How old was your sister?”
He thought of a wide smile, uneven pigtails. “She was twelve. Fiona. Her name was Fiona.”
She’d screamed his name as she was being dragged away.
“Bram? Bram?”
Warm fingers touched his jaw. He blinked. Addie was watching him, worry on her face.
“I’m sorry I made you go somewhere dark,” she said.
“It was a long time ago.”
“And some old hurts fade, but they never go away.”
He knew that truth better than anyone.
“I thought I’d put the abduction by Mikhailov behind me.” She rubbed her cheek against Bram’s chest. “This brought it all up again.”
He pulled her closer. “It’s normal, Addie. But I don’t want you to worry. It’s not good for the baby.” He moved his hand toward her stomach, then paused.
She pulled it the rest of the way and he cupped her belly, over where their child grew.
“My brain knows I’m safe now.” She pressed a hand over his heart, toying with the hair on his chest. “I guess I’m just waiting for the rest of me to catch up.”
The caress was torture. He stifled a groan and thought of the harsh training he’d gone through in the military to keep his body under control.
“I will find this asshole, Addie. I promise.”
“As long as you stay safe, too.”
He grunted. He’d do what he had to do. Once, he hadn’t been able to do anything to save the people he loved.
He wouldn’t let it happen again with Addie.
“I should go and let you get some sleep,” he said.
