Page 65 of The Eraser

I ignore everyone who's waiting for us and move to my car. Maverick talks to the men before catching up with me. "Denis and Callie are going with Danny to the hospital. I'm driving you and Jess. Thomas will be brought to where Fintan is until you're ready to deal with him."

I climb into the car, keeping Jess close to me as Maverick slides into the driver's side.

I hold Jess tight, pressing a kiss to her head. She's still unconscious and I'm worried. She's not woken up, not once, and I'm scared. I'm fucking terrified that something is seriously wrong with her. "I'm so sorry, Little Dancer," I whisper so that Maverick can't hear me. "I'm so fucking sorry."

I failed her. I fucking promised her that Thomas wouldn't hurt her again and he did. I couldn't keep her safe, and now she's burned.

* * *

"Stephen," Callie says softly as she steps closer to me. "Thank you for loving her."

It's been fucking hours. Jess was rushed into a room where they tended the burns. She was then rushed into surgery, where she still is now as her nose was broken so badly that it needs reconstructing.

"That cunt hurt her, Callie," I say through clenched teeth. I've not been able to settle, not since they took Jess from me. I don't know how she is, and I hate not being in the loop. I hate being away from her.

"He did," she whispers. "God, he did, Stephen. I couldn't help her."

I shake my head. "You were tied up, Callie girl. There was nothing you could do to help her. Had you tried, he'd have done the same to you."

She's silent for a moment, and I know she's got something to say. I've known her for the majority of her life. She's always been an over thinker. She gives a fuck about everyone, and I know she'll be hurting because she didn't check on Jess.

"I didn't think you could love anyone," she says softly. "I didn't think you were capable of it."

I inwardly scoff. Just because I don't tell everyone I love them as she does—which isn't a bad thing. Callie was the first person to tell me she loved me who truly meant it—it doesn't mean I'm incapable of it. Though I would have never guessed I was able to either. But Jess changed everything. My entire vision was shifted and now my life is filled with love for her.

"Callie—"

"No," she says, grinning. "I was so scared that you'd be unable to love, that you wouldn't feel the happiness we feel when we let those we love in. But I see I was wrong to worry. You just hadn't found the person you loved yet."

"Possibly," I say, wondering if she's hurt by me not returning the sentiment. Callie is like a sister to me. She's the reason my life changed for the better. Her and her family are the reason I'm the man I am today. Without them, I'd probably be in prison. The same with Freddie. Having the O'Haras in our lives was a positive influence that we needed.

"I just wish she didn't have to deal with the pain that she had to endure from that bastard. That man is a fucking monster, Stephen. He's the one who had Patty killed. He's the reason Jess' mam is dead. He's a bastard, and God forgive me, but I'll be glad when he's dead."

I grin at her. She doesn't need forgiveness for wishing that piece of shit to be dead. He deserves it. "Does Jess know Thomas killed Patty?"

She nods. "She figured it out."

I close my eyes. Of course she did. My wife's smart as fuck. She would have realized that her dad was the only person who could have pulled off her ma's death, especially when he was working with Fintan.

"Mr. Maguire," I hear the doctor say as he steps through the double doors. "Your wife's out of surgery."

Relief, unlike any I have ever felt, courses through me. "How is she?" I ask as I get close to him.

"She's on the road to recovery. It's going to be a long road. She's got a lot of healing to do."

I nod. "What about the burns? How are they?"

His expression turns dark. "We understand that her father was abusive. That he's the reason for the burns."

I nod. "Yeah. But don't worry, Doc, he'll be dealt with."

He shakes his head. "I didn't hear that. The scars she has are extensive. They were tended to by someone without medical knowledge and your wife's lucky she didn't get an infection. That's our main concern right now. Burns are a breeding ground for an infection, and where your wife's burns are is a place where there'll be a lot of movement. We'll be keeping her here for a while. At least until we can assure that she's out of the woods."

I nod once again. "I appreciate that, Doc. I understand it'll be hard for her, but will she be in pain?"

His lips purse. "Yes, she's in severe pain. She's heavily medicated and will remain that way until the pain eases."

"Can I see her?" I ask, needing to be able to see her.

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