Page 31 of Raptor

I can't help but clutch on to them, scared that if I tell her, things will get worse. "I'm in trouble," I whisper. "God, Jess, I'm so scared."

"What's happened?" she asks, her eyes wide and her lips parted.

"The night that we went out before Shay was born," I say low, hoping no one is listening. "Remember what happened?"

She nods. It's not every day you watch someone beat another man to death. It's ingrained in our minds. Neither of us will ever forget what happened.

"The O'Learys aren't happy, Jess," I tell her, hating that I'm doing this today of all days. "Micah O'Leary has been trailing me."

She blinks, her brow furrowed. "What?" she hisses harshly. "Mallory, why did you never tell me?"

"You've been going through so much, I couldn't tell you. I didn't want you to live in fear either."

Jess shakes her head. "God, Mallory, you should have told me. I would have helped you. What's he done?" she questions. She knows me too well. "Tell me, please. What's he done to you?"

I glance away, taking a steadying breath. "Please," I beg, my voice just above a whisper. "This is your wedding day, Jess. Please just leave it be."

"Tell me," she urges. "Please."

"He threatened to kill us, Jess. Threatened Shay and me. He broke into our home and held a knife to my throat while Shay was lying in his crib beside me. I was so scared," I cry, my tearscoming thick and fast. "Ma came home and he ran away. Since then, we've been in hiding. I hate that I'm so scared. I'm afraid that he'll find me."

I don't delve into everything else that's happened. She doesn't need to know all the gory details. My dress hides the scars Micah has given me, and I'm glad that it does. Otherwise she'd be in tears at the sight of them.

"I'm so sorry," she whispers softly. The pain in her eyes makes my stomach clench. God, this isn't her fault. It's not.

"It's not your fault, Jess," I tell her as I swipe away my tears. "This isn't on you. This is on them. They're doing this, not you. We'll be fine."

"I'll talk with Uncle Jer, Maverick, and Stephen. We'll make sure this stops. God, Mal, I'm so very sorry. I should have known something was wrong. I'm so sorry."

I pull her into my arms. I hate that I've made her sad on her wedding day, but I'm so damn glad I've told her the truth. "Don't apologize. I haven't told anyone. I'm so scared, Jess, so damn scared. What if he gets to Shay?"

"We'll make you safe," she promises me.

"I know," I reply softly. If anyone can it will be Jess. She'll do whatever she can. "Ma's been a Godsend, Jess. She's finally present and here. She dotes on Shay and she's finally showing me that she cares." I love how much Ma has changed. We're getting along so great, and I know it's not for show. She's deeply sorry for neglecting me emotionally as a child and she won't do it again.

"I'm glad she's around more and that she's present, watching Shay grow up. Nothing will happen to any of you. I'll talk to Maverick and Jer today," she says with a grin, her eyes filled with grit and determination. "They'll help."

I can't help but smile. Maybe, just maybe, things are looking up. "I know. I love you."

"With my entire heart," she replies.

God, she's killing me. I swipe away the tears once again and take a deep breath. "Let's get you married."

Watching Stephen watch Jess as she walks down the aisle toward him makes me so happy. The love he has for her is so very clear to see. I had that. Looking back, I see that's exactly the way Raptor would look at me. God, I really did fuck up with all of that. I wish there was an undo button and I could fix everything.

I'm smiling wide and bright throughout the entire ceremony. Jess and Stephen love each other, there's no denying that, and together they look perfect. They've been dancing around one another for years. It's finally time they were together. I couldn't be happier for Jess. She deserves this and so very much more.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the officiant says, and I laugh as Stephen slides his arms around Jess' waist and hauls her close to him. The kiss is something that looks like it came from a movie. The two of them are caught up in one another, just the way it should be.

"Mallory." I hear the deep south Dublin accent and turn to see Freddie Kinnock standing beside me. "You're a hard woman to track down."

I raise a brow. "Oh, you've been looking for me?" I ask, and I'm shocked when he nods. "Why?"

"A guy's been looking for you for close to six months."

My heart starts to race and my body feels weak. God, no.

"You've got the attention of the American. He's been looking for you for a long time," he continues.

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