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The angry part of o fuck himself when he offered me his home I had no love for holy men like him As if he sensed that, he had rolled up his sleeves to show ood, the bad, and the ugly--and I never looked back I once again returned to Preach’s house He then legally adopted me, and I became the oldest of the Malloy boys For the ive ot into a few scuffles and scrapes You can’t add in a teenager to a family with a nine- and six-year-old and not expect probleht me back into the present "Speak toeyes "Lacey is dead Murdered"

A tiny gasp escaped her lips It had been five years since Lacey had been a part of nificance "I’m so sorry"

"There’sus over to the couch Once I collapsed down on the worn sofa, I put hter"

Maers She tilted my head to where I had to look at her She cocked her brows at one, she’s ht there on the birth certificate But the worst thing …" I raked a shaky hand through my hair "The kid looks just like me"

Blues eyes narrowed dangerously at atively about this child again You were blessed to create a life, David There are ift"

Myat Mareatest nightin the streets with happiness She knew just as well as I did that I had no fucking business being a father Anger that had started bubbling insidepoint "But don’t you get it? I don’t want her!" I protested, rising off the couch

"I don’t think that’s an option"

I shook h, she replied, "You are her father"

"By DNA, I’m her father, but I’m not the kind of man to be a parent"

"What you mean is, you’re too selfish and scared to take responsibility for your actions"

I threwthat shit on me There is no way I can provide a stable environ her ared, "And just what are you suggesting?"

"I’ll take her down to Child Protective Services and put her up for adoption Hell, she’d be much better off with two parents"

"And hoell did foster care work for you?"

My fists clenched atwithin me not to pick up the statue of Jesus on the coffee table and hurl it at the wall Trying to keep a lid on my emotions, I breathed in and out several times No matter how pissed I was, I would not disrespect ht work out better for her," I finally replied