Page 48 of Raptor

"What the fuck?" he snarls. "You're not serious?"

I nod. "He hurt her so badly I didn't know what to do. I went to call an ambulance but she stopped me. She made me promise I wouldn't call anyone. She made me swear not to tell a soul. I was fourteen and stupid, so I made that fucking promise. I wish I hadn't. God, I wish I had called someone to help her."

"What happened, baby?"

"She wanted me to clean it up," I whisper. "I had no idea what the hell I was doing. We had to watch videos online to learn how to clean burns and to care for them. It was horrendous. She kept screaming and wouldn't stop. I didn't want to hurt her, but she wouldn't let me stop."

The sofa dips, and within seconds he's pulling me into his side, Shay still tucked gently in his arm. "Darlin'," he says thickly, his voice filled with emotion. "How the fuck did you manage to get through that?"

I lift my shoulders and shrug. "I don't know. I had to, I guess. Jess needed me. I cleaned her wound and helped her, but her dad came for her not even a week later and took her back with him. I knew he wouldn't stop. I couldn't ignore her. I had to push the anger, pain, and hatred I was feeling aside and make sure I was there for her."

"That's a fuckin' lot for a fourteen year old to take on."

"I had no other choice. She was alone, and she'd just lost her mam. I couldn't let her go through that alone."

"You're a good friend to your girls, Mal, but why didn't you tell them when you needed help?"

"Jess knew about Shay. She was with me when I gave birth. She sent me a video of it. I have it saved to show you," I tell him with a smile. "But Jess and Chloe have both been through so much. I couldn't add my trauma onto them, especially when they're both still reeling from their own. I've watched as both of them have regressed into a nightmare. I didn't want to cause that again."

"Fuckin' martyr," he mutters, and I guess he's right. "You should have told someone. My brothers would have helped."

I swallow hard. "Even if it meant having Chloe break down?" I ask, knowing the answer to that question is no.

"They'd have called me," he tells me. "I would have been here."

I lean my head against his shoulder. "I know and I'm sorry. You're here now and I'm so fucking grateful. I'm tired of being scared. I'm so tired of it all."

He presses a kiss to my head. "You don't need to anymore, darlin'. I'm here and I'm not goin' anywhere. I've got you. I've got you both."

I close my eyes and savor his words. I believe him. I trust him with every fiber of my being. He'll do everything in his power to keep us safe, and if Micah somehow manages to get to me, Iknow Shay is safe with his dad. I'll be happy with the knowledge that my boy will have his father.

Chapter 20

Raptor

THREE WEEKS LATER

"You doin' okay, darlin'?" I ask Mallory. We're on our way to the clubhouse. It's the first day she's been back since she collapsed in it after being attacked. Over the past three weeks, I've spent every day and night at the house with her. Whenever I've had to leave, I've had Freddie, Maverick, or Denis stay with her. All three men have been continuously checking in on her and she feels safe around them. It's fucked up that my brothers haven't made her feel that way—except for Wrath and Bozo—something I'm hoping will be rectified today.

"Yeah. I guess it's time to stop hiding."

I give her thigh a squeeze. "It's goin' to be okay," I assure her. "Once Chloe sees you're fine and meets Shay, she'll forget about everything else."

"Hopefully," she says with a shake of her head. "It'll be grand." She doesn't sound convinced. She reaches for her cell and sighs. "Ma's not replied to my texts since yesterday."

"Babe, you said it yourself earlier. She's probably at the spa with Nichola."

Her laughter is soft. "Yeah. I just wish she'd reply to me. I get worried about her."

“It’s a normal response. With all the shit you’ve been through, it makes sense as to why you’d be worried.”

We arrive at the clubhouse and I park out front. I spot Chloe waiting for us at the door. No doubt she’s feeling the same as Mallory right now.

I open Mallory’s door and help her out. She's still a little tender, but she’s mainly healed from the majority of her injuries. Her arm still hurts and her wound is tender, but she’s recovering.

“Mal,” Chloe cries as she rushes toward us, wrapping her arms around Mallory. “God, I’ve been worried sick. I suck. I really, really suck at being a friend. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

I pull Shay out of his car seat and wrap my arm around Mallory once she and Chloe pull apart. “Let’s get inside, darlin’.”

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