Page 15 of Raptor

"I'm having fun. Don't worry, I'm going home now," she tells him with a snap.

The muscle in his cheek twitches. "Who the fuck are you with?"

"My friend. She's in the bathroom," she sighs. "What is your problem?" she asks. "Why are you such an asshole?"

I love that she's not afraid to speak her mind.

"Jessica," he grinds out. "I'm always a fucking asshole. That's never going to change. But why the fuck is your da letting you leave the house looking like that?"

Oh hell fucking no! My girl looks beautiful, and I'll be damned if he makes her feel bad about herself. She's wearing a black jumpsuit and it fits her like a glove, showcasing her curves.

"My dad's not here," Jess replies, unable to keep the hurt from her voice. "You can go, Stephen. I'll be leaving any moment."

That's my cue. I move hurriedly toward them—well, as much as I can in heels at six months pregnant. "Are you ready?" I ask, standing beside her. "Or do you need more time?"

"Not at all," Jess says without looking at the dick who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. "Let's go." She links her arm through mine.

She's caught up in her own mind as we walk away from Stephen. She's upset. I know she is. And it's taking everything in her not to cry. I'm trying to keep my anger in check. The last thing Jess needs is for me to lose my shit and give Stephen a piece of my mind. That asshole hurt her with his words and I hate him for doing that.

The streetlights darken and I realize we're away from the busy bars and are walking through a residential area, where a streetlight or two are out.

"Damn," I hear a low growl.

My heart starts to race as I glance at the man who's stepping out of the shadows. He's tall and built like a brick. Fuck... Itighten my arm around Jess. Every scenario is running through my head. What does this man want?

"Where do you think you're going?" the man says as he steps further into the light. Jess and I try to keep on walking. "Hmm? I want to have some fun."

"How about you fuck off before I make you?" I hear the low, growling sound from behind me and quickly glance back to see Stephen striding toward us. I've never seen someone look so frightening before. He looks menacing. "The fuck are you doing here, O'Leary?"

O'Leary? Christ, I didn't think they were in Dublin. From what I heard they were up north, living out of Belfast.

"Well, look who it is. Stephen Maguire, as I live and breathe. What you saying, boss? Do we have a problem?" O'Leary says as he edges closer to Jess and I.

"We'll have more than a problem if you don't leave her alone," Stephen replies, his tone cold and calculating. It's filled with so much anger that Jess flinches.

"Does she mean something to you?" O'Leary asks. "She yours?" he questions as he edges even closer to us. My stomach drops when he reaches out and touches Jess' face.

The next few moments happen in a blur. Stephen rushes forward and starts to punch the guy. "I fucking warned you," Stephen snarls. "Fucking told you to leave her alone."

The sound of flesh hitting flesh has tears falling from my eyes. I'm transfixed as I stare at the scene in front of me. Over and over again Stephen continues to beat the man. My hands instinctively go to my bump as I silently cry. I should help Jess. I should shield her from this. But I'm unable to move. I'm frozen in my spot. She's been through so very much already. Her life has been marred by violence, so this is the last thing she needs. She's stock still in my arms, and I hate that she's in a trance,no doubt regressing into a place she goes when her father lashes out.

Stephen's on top of the man, his fists pounding his face. It's relentless.

"Stop," I shriek as I realize the man isn't moving any longer. "God, will you stop it. Please," I cry, unable to keep the fear from my voice. I'm shaking, absolutely terrified of what's going to happen next.

Thankfully, Stephen listens to my words and stops. My stomach rolls when he stands and I see his fists are covered in blood. God, how deranged must you be to do that—to kill a man with your bare hands in mere minutes?

He glares at Jess and I. "The fuck were you both playing at?" he snarls. "Anything could have happened to either of you."

His words make my anger rise swiftly through my body. How fucking dare he blame this on me and Jess. I want to scream at him; rage that it's his fault, not ours, but I know that won't do anyone any favors. "He's dead," I say softly. "You've killed him."

Stephen shrugs. "Not the first," he says. "He should have listened when I told him to leave Jessica alone."

"Why?" I hiss. God, this man infuriates me like no other. "It's not like Jess is yours. You've made it perfectly clear that she's no one to you. So why are you being such a fucking asshole?" I cry, pissed that he's done this. "Actually, don't answer that. We all know you're crazy as hell. But why don't you just leave Jess alone?"

"Not happening," Stephen growls. "Not fucking happening."

God, he's so fucking annoying. He won't leave her alone but he doesn't want her either. What the hell is wrong with him?

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