Page 47 of The Eraser

"Fine, I'll speak with the Kellys. They have deep connections in this city. They could help us."

I glance at Jess and see that she's watching me. She's worried about what'll happen. I raise a brow. It's up to her if she wants Jer to reach out. I agree that the Kellys are our only option right now. She gives me a small nod. "Talk to them."

The Kellys have changed over the past year, since they lost their brother and father. Brandon and Damien aren't the unhinged monsters their father and brother were. In fact, they've doubled the Kelly business since those two fuckers died. Maybe Sean Kelly should have heeded his youngest sons when they were trying to get the business in the right direction when he was alive. But Kelly Senior was a prick who was set in his ways. Had he listened to Brandon and Damien, he'd have been rich and a prick.

"Now that's sorted," Jer begins, turning to Jess and smiling. "What about a small ceremony at the house?" he asks her.

Jess' face lights up, and I know without a doubt that's what she wants. "That would be awesome. Mam loved that house."

"How small are we talking?" I ask, knowing Jer and I have a very vast difference between the words.

The fucker laughs. "I was thinking myself, Maverick, and Freddie. I know you, Stephen. You're not the type of man who's going to let many get close to Jess, and while I agree that she needs to be kept safe, I also know that my niece needs family around, and I'll be there."

"Alright," I concede. "Just the three of you."

"And Mallory," Jess says, and there's a directness in her voice that I haven't heard since I brought her here. She's getting her confidence back and I'm fucking glad. "Mallory is my best friend. She's been through thick and thin with me. I'm not getting married without her."

"And Mallory," I sigh, knowing there's no way to say no. I can't deny her. Besides, this is just one thing she's asking for. I won't deny her.

"When?" Maverick asks, glancing between us all.

"This weekend," I say. I'm not waiting. Now that I know she wants this, I'm not waiting around.

Maverick and Freddie grin and Jess shakes her head, her cheeks tinged with redness. I have a feeling she's thinking about what I said in the bedroom and what we did once she'd agreed to be my wife. Jer, on the other hand, glares at me.

"This weekend? The fuck is wrong with you? How the hell am I going to have it done by then?"

I lift my shoulders and shrug. "You just need to find someone to marry us, Jer. It's not rocket science."

"Fine," he sighs, sounding like a fed-up parent. "You have always been a little shit. I'm not sure why I thought you'd change."

Jess giggles, and I let him off for saying that shit. Hearing her laugh, it's something that is rare.

"Get out of here," I say with a shake of my head. "Let me know what you need."

Jer, Freddie, and Maverick all get to their feet.

"You know we've got you covered," Mav tells me. "Nothing is going to happen to her. We won’t let it." This is why I'll always, fucking always, have his back. He's always had mine, even though he can be a jealous shit when it comes to my friendship with his sister. He's more than shown it over the years. "You need anything," he continues, "I'll be here."

Jess gets to her feet and within seconds is wrapped in Maverick's arms. "Be safe," she tells him. When she pulls back, she comes to stand beside me, the soft smile still on her face. "I'll see you all soon. Be safe."

"You're crazy," she says the moment they're gone. "This weekend, Stephen... Really?"

I pull her close to me, her body flush against mine. "Told you already, Little Dancer, we're getting married. I'm not losing you."

She sighs. "Okay. Whatever you think is best."

I know she's scared. I can see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice. I've no doubt part of that is because of who I am. It mustn't be easy for her to know that I'm a cold-blooded killer, and she's dealt with too much violence. But she's safe with me. She knows that. She has always known that. I'll never harm her. I'd fucking die before that ever happened.

She may not be close to loving me, but I know that she could.

Christ, that's not something I could have ever envisioned before. Growing up without love was normal. Having the O'Hara family show me what it was felt nice, but I never thought I'd have what they all found. I listened to Callie tell me when she was growing up that she always wanted to find the love her parents have. I didn't think it was something everyone got, but Callie found it with Denis. Now that I have Jess here, I know what Callie meant when she said she found her one years ago.

Looking down at my woman, I feel that to my bones.

Fuck... I've found my one. And I'll be damned if someone takes her from me.

ChapterTwenty

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