Deadly Shamrocks: An Irish Tale of Love, Murder and Revenge by J. B. Reed Page B

even the score for Shane and because of the threat I made against him.  Your father is dead because of me.”
      Vivie sat back down, she could not believe the words that were coming out of Michael’s mouth. 
      “I have to get to my mother.  She will need me, now more than ever.”
      “Your mother and the kids are no longer living in the Kitchen.  Joseph heard about the hit and called me.  He is the one who suggested we get out of town.  While we were in Vegas, Joseph had your family relocated to West Virginia, for their own safety.  They are all fine, Joseph made sure that they had everything they would ever need.”
      “So the trip to Vegas, for us to get married, it was all a lie.  You had to get me out of town so I wouldn’t find out about my father and what you had done?”
      “No, getting married was not a lie.  I wanted to marry you Vivie, and I had already planned for us to go to Vegas when Joseph called and told me to get out of town for a while.  He suggested Vegas because he had the suite there.  It all fell into place, Vivie, but us getting married was not part of Joseph’s plan. I love you Vivie.  I want to be your husband and a father for your child.”
      Vivie slapped Michael across the face.
      “How dare you say you love me; you are responsible for my father being dead, because you couldn’t control your temper.  You had to take care of things yourself, even after I asked you to stay out of it.  You’ve betrayed me Michael; I don’t think I can ever forgive you for this.”
      This was the second time in an hour that Michael had been told he had betrayed someone.  The two people he cared the most about, and they both feel he had betrayed them. 
      “Vivie, when I told Joseph about us getting married, about the baby and that you know all about me and that I work for him, he went insane.  He said you had become a liability that you had to die.”
      A look of fear came over Vivie’s face as she backed away from Michael.
      He told me I had to do it or he would have one of his guys do it.  You can hate me the rest of your life but I have to get you out of town, Vivie.  I would rather die myself than to harm you.  And I will not allow anyone else to either.  I want you to go to West Virginia, where your mother is.  Will you do that, Vivie, please?”
    Vivie’s whole body was trembling, partly because she was engulfed in anger, and partly because, at this moment, she was not sure that Michael would not kill her.
     
    “I’ll leave, Michael. Do you know where my mother is living in West Virginia?"
     
    “Yes, this is the address.  I can drive you there tonight.”
     
    Michael handed the piece of paper Joseph had given to him, to Vivie.
     
    “No; I’ll take a bus.  I do not need or want any help from you, Michael.  You are just as evil as Tommy.  Why couldn’t I see that before?”
     
    “Vivie, you don’t mean that?”
     
    “I do.  I would have been better off if you would have let me die that night.  I hate you, Michael; I hope I never see your face again.  I hope you burn in hell.”
     
    Michael watched as Vivie disappeared into the bedroom.  He had broken her heart.  He would never b               e able to make this up to her; no matter how hard he tried.  It was better that she hate him.  At least she would               be alive to love someone else. 
     
    Vivie came out of the bedroom with one suitcase.  The clothing Michael had bought her was left hanging in the closet, all but the few things in the suitcase.
     
    “I’ll take you to the bus station.”
     
    “No, I don’t need your help.  Goodbye Michael.”
     
    “Vivie, please, don’t leave like this; please try to understand.”
     
    Vivie closed the door and left Michael standing there, alone.  He walked over to              the window and watched Vivie walk up the street.  His heart was breaking, but he knew she was better