Page 45 of Raptor

"Nothing, but we've got all our men on it and I know Denis does too. With the Houlihan Gang, the Gallagher men, and the Vipers, it's going to be hard for him to stay hidden," Freddie tells me. "We'll find him, and when we do, he's going to be in for a painful death."

I know the smile on my face is anything but pleasant. I'm going to enjoy stripping strips off that cunt's skin. I'm going to take my time and be methodical as I kill him. He tortured Mallory; beat her over and over again. There's nothing about that fucker's death that will be easy. It's going to be painful, and I'm going to enjoy every fucking second of it.

"You've got our number. If there's anything you need, just call. If we hear anything about his whereabouts, we'll let you know," Maverick assures me. "We'll leave you be. I'm glad you're with her, man. She's one of the best and she has a deep capacity to love. Don't hurt her."

"I won't," I rumble, pissed that he thinks I'd ever do that. They don't know me.

He nods. "I'll see you around."

I wait for them both to get into the car before I close the door. That conversation didn't help ease my anger at fucking all. Fuck.

I sink down onto the sofa. I'm fucking tired, bone-ass tired. It's been a long-ass six months trying to find her, and now I have her back I can finally, fucking finally, have what I've wanted for a long time. My woman is under this roof. She and our son are safe, and that's what I'm taking solace in right now.

My cell rings, and I don't even have to look at the screen to know it's Pyro calling me.

"Finally," he growls. "Fuckin' finally. I've been tryin' to call you, brother."

"Been busy. What's up?" I ask. My tone isn't welcoming. In fact, it's clipped. He's pissed me the fuck off and he damn well knows he has.

"I ain't goin' to apologize for what I said, but I should have waited until we were alone."

I grit my teeth. Fucking A.

"How is she?" he asks. "She looked like she could pass out at any moment."

"She's asleep, as is Shay. She's in pain, but she's been so scared that fucking bastard will come back that she's not been sleeping. I'm not leavin', so I'm hopin' she'll sleep through the night."

"Wrath's none too pleased with us," he says. "He called me an ass and told me that Mallory's been a part of Chloe's life for years and we should have done more to find her."

"We all should have. It's just not us. The Gallaghers should have too. Everyone fucking failed her. It's fucked up that she's been through so much trauma and she's done it all by herself."

I hear his heavy sigh. "Why did she never reach out?"

I have a few ideas, and when she's feeling better I'll be delving into it and finding out what's going on. I know that when she was younger, her mom wasn't around much. She's notspoken about her dad, and when shit goes south, she's alone and has no one to help other than her mom.

"Any idea on where the fuck this asshole is?" he asks. "Denis has no idea. All he heard was that the O'Learys were up north in Belfast. Since Jarlath died, they've been in hiding. Fintan and Micah haven't been seen by anyone in months."

"Except Mallory," I snap. "She thinks that cunt is following her. I've got to say, with how good she was at hiding herself, he has to be keeping tabs on her."

"We need to have her vehicle and cell checked for trackers."

"Yeah, it's on my list to do."

"Brother, I know you’re pissed, but we've got to sort this shit out," he says. I know he’s right, but fuck... How can I let slide what the fuck happened?

"You fucked up, brother. You made my woman feel like a whore," I snap. "Tell me, if the tables were turned, what would you do?"

His silence is enough of an answer for me. "I'll apologize. Fuck, Chloe's goin' to kill me. She's already pissed that I kicked her out when Mallory was injured. When she finds out what I said, she'll go for my balls."

I can't bite my tongue any longer. "Mallory was the one who put a stop to Chloe bein' bullied. Mallory has put her friends above herself every fuckin' single time, and you practically call her a whore. Brother, you owe her more than an apology." I shove a hand through my hair. "She should never have felt alone. She should have been able to call any of us."

"I get it, brother," he says low. "We should have done better. We'll make it right. Whatever you need, we'll make it happen."

Fuck yeah we will. I'm not leaving Mallory alone. Fuck no. She's been through enough, and I'm not letting that cunt get to her again.

"I want that cunt found," I hiss. "I need my woman and kid safe, Py. I need them safe."

"We'll make sure they are," he promises me. "Anyone who tries to harm them will be taken out, brother. On that you have my word."

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