Page 40 of Raptor

I watch as Mallory's cheeks heat and she shakes her head. "Shut it, Ma," she hisses. "And give me my baby."

Jayne doesn't hesitate to hand over our son to her daughter. I keep my gaze on my woman, who snuggles our son close to her chest as she holds him tight. Jayne wraps her arms around thetwo of them, and I watch as both mother and daughter cry into each other's arms.

"Brother," Pyro says low. "This shit is beyond fucked up. The shit she's been through..." He shakes his head. "It's fucked up to admit this, but I'm glad she didn’t tell Chloe. I don't think she'd have been able to deal with it."

I don't say anything. It is fucked up that he thinks that, but I get it. I don't agree with it but I get it. Chloe's been through something traumatic and is still living through the nightmares and aftermath. Mallory's been going through hell alone just to protect her friends. I fucking hate that she's not had anyone but her mom to lean on. I'm pissed that no one thought that something was going on and just let her slip into hiding without saying a fucking word.

"What are you going to do about the kid?" he questions.

"What'cha mean?" I ask, still not taking my gaze off Mallory. She's talking in hushed tones with her mom, Maverick, and Freddie.

"You know what happened with Preacher," he says. "Are you goin' to ensure that it's?—"

"Don't," I snarl, and it comes out as a deep rumble. My anger is now at the fucking surface. "You're my brother, my president, but don't fuckin' finish that sentence."

He raises his brows as he sits back in his seat. "I didn't mean?—"

I don't let him finish. I'm not fucking doing this shit. "Just don't."

"It's okay," Mallory says softly. "We'll set up the test. Chloe told me about what happened. I never wanted you to think I trapped you."

I glare at Pyro. Fucking asshole. She heard what he said, and I won't have anyone make her feel like a fucking whore.

"Mallory," Bozo says as he joins us. "What do you mean Chloe told you?"

She turns to him, her eyes wide. "When I found out I was pregnant, I came to see Chloe, and she was talking with Hayley about how the women were trying to get pregnant at the club." She shrugs. "They were so angry. I get it; I would be too. I felt so bad for getting pregnant that I couldn't tell anyone."

Fucking Chloe. Damn it.

"Alright, we're done here," Maverick says, stepping in. "Mallory needs to rest and she and Raptor need to speak. So let them do that."

"I want to go home," she whispers and turns to me. "Can we do that? Shay has nothing here."

I don't hesitate. I get to my feet. "Your mom's driving, not you."

Her eyes soften and she looks at me like I'm fucking hung from the moon. "Thank you."

I walk over to her and take a look at the boy snuggled into her chest. He's so fucking gorgeous. Utter perfection, as she said he was. His eyes are open and they're staring at me. He's got his mom's eyes, so bright and beautiful. But he looks exactly like me. Fuck, it's like looking in the mirror.

"Shay honey, this is your daddy," Mallory whispers as she gently passes him to me.

I've held kids before because my brothers have children, but nothing could ever prepare you to hold your own child in your arms. Christ, it's like my entire world has shifted. He's everything I could have wanted and yet never knew I needed.

"Ma will drive us, if you want to be with him in the back?" Mallory whispers as she steps close to me.

I want that, but fuck, I need my own fucking ride. "Can his car seat be moved?" I question.

"The one in my car can be," she replies. "It's parked out front. Why?"

"I've got my truck. I'll drive us. It'll give us time to talk."

Jayne opens her mouth, no doubt to protest. She looks worried, and while I understand that she's Mallory's mom, I'm not going to let her get between us. There's so fucking much we have to say to one another. I'd prefer to do it when no one else is around.

"Jayne, no offense, but right now, I'm keeping Mallory and Shay close."

"Brother, I'll help you install it in your car," Wrath says as he strolls toward the door, a smirk etched on his face.

"Jayne, why don't you go see Mam?" Callie says softly. "She'll be delighted that she's not the only grandmother."

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