Page 43 of Raptor

"That shit's goin' to stop. You need sleep, Mallory."

"It's been hard," I whisper. "I'm terrified to sleep in case Micah breaks in. When he came that night Shay was home from the hospital, I was asleep, Shane. I didn’t hear him come into the room. I woke up to him standing over me. He was so close to Shay. I was terrified. I thought he was going to kill us that night."

"What did he do to you?" he asks me.

I hate talking about it but I know he deserves the truth. I tell him everything that happened that night and since then. How he always finds me when I'm alone, whether I'm shopping or getting dinner. He'll always toy with me, hurt me, and leave me to pick up the broken pieces. I've had multiple broken bones from him. It's been hard to recover from what he's put me through. What he's put my family through. I'm not sure it's something we'll ever fully recover from. The first few months of your baby's life are meant to be precious. Shay's have been tainted with fear, pain, and brutality, thankfully not directed at him. I don't think I could live with myself if something happened to him.

"Darlin'," Shane says thickly. "Fuck, babe, how the fuck are you alive?"

I turn away as tears sting my eyes. I've been asking myself the same question for months. "He's not finished with me yet."

"He's not fuckin' gettin' you again. I promise you, Mallory, he's not goin' to fuckin' hurt you again."

His words are filled with determination and promise. I'm unable to hold back. I sob hard. I've always felt safe with Shane. Ever since the moment I saw him, I've felt so much protectionand comfort. Having him here when things are the hardest they've ever been has given me so much comfort. I can't stop the tears that are falling. God, over the past three months all I have felt is pain and fear. Ma has tried her hardest to be my rock, and she has been, but having Shane here, it just makes me believe that this could all be finally over.

"I'm not leavin' your side. Not until that fuckin' bastard is found."

"You can't," I say. "You've got the club to think about."

He shakes his head. "You and Shay are my priority. If I'm needed, you'll both come to the clubhouse. It's safe there."

I tense. I'm not sure if I want to go back to the clubhouse. While Wrath was lovely, as well as Connor—someone I've known for a while—the rest of the brothers looked at me as though I was a bitch. I don't blame them, but I won't subject my son to be around that. "I'll get the paternity test done," I tell him. "I don't want there to be any questions."

"All anyone has to do is look at him, Mal," he says pointedly. "I know he's mine. I don't need a fuckin' test to tell me that."

"You don't," I tell him. "But there are always going to be people who wonder."

"Let them," he snarls. "Fuck them."

"Shane, these men are your brothers. You said it yourself that Pyro is your best friend."

He shakes his head, those dark eyes filling with rage. "It should never have been said."

"You can't blame them," I implore. "Especially after what happened with Preacher. They care about you and don't want to see you get hurt."

"By him questionin' Shay's paternity, they're insinuatin' that you're a fuckin' whore, and I'm not down with that. Brother or not, that shit ain't washin' with me." He's got so much anger inhis voice. I hate that he's upset by the question. I'm not mad; hurt, yes, but I understand why there would be doubt.

"Please," I whisper. "Don't be angry about them caring for you. Let's just take the test and get it over and done with."

He shakes his head. "No. I don't need it done."

"I do," I tell him. "If we don't, I'm going to be judged even more than I already am. They think so little of me already that not getting it done will just make matters worse. Not to mention how it'll affect Shay growing up."

He's silent for a beat. "Fuck! Fine, we'll set it up, but this is for you and Shay. I don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks."

"You're amazing, you know that?" I ask, needing him to understand just how much I value him. He's one of the best men I know, probably the best. "Our son is lucky to have you as his da."

"Darlin', it's been too fuckin' long since I've fucked you. Our boy is wide awake and you're injured so I can’t take you. Don't say shit like that or I'll forget that I'm a gentleman."

I laugh. "From what I remember, when it gets down to it, you're anything but."

Being around Shane is so fucking easy. I'm so comfortable around him that I don't need to worry about anything.

"The moment you're healed, darlin', I'm fuckin' you 'til you scream my name."

Shivers run through my body at his delicious threat. God, I can't wait for that day.

"Now, before you go and get any ideas, you need to sleep. I've got Shay. He's safe with me. You both are. I won't let anythin' happen to either of you."

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