Page 6 of Raptor

"Ma, I appreciate you working your ass off to provide for us. I'm grateful that you do whatever it takes to support me financially. But in the process of doing that, you forgot about me."

"I did and I'm so fucking sorry, love. So damn sorry. I know there's nothing that can make up for all the years I have missed with you, but I'm hoping you'll allow me to show you I'm here for you no matter what."

I want to believe her, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to get my hopes up only for her to dash them without a care. Still, I nod. She's my ma, my family, and I know that when the time comes for me to have this baby, I'm going to need as many people around me as possible.

"I will," I assure her. "I just hope you're not angry."

Her mouth opens in shock, you say something like: Her mouth opens and her eyebrows jump halfway up her forehead. "God no, I'm not angry. I'm disappointed with myself, and I'm so very proud of you for opening up to me. I'm sorry it's taken years for us to have this conversation. It should have been had when you were younger. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I say, not wanting to talk about this anymore. She's apologized and she's trying to fix it. That's all I can ask for, all anyone can ask for.

"Now, Mal, what about the father?—"

I shake my head, cutting her off. "He lives in New York."

Her smile fades, but her expression is filled with understanding. "Whenever you're ready to tell him, I'll be right there with you."

"How do you tell a man they're going to be a dad?" I ask, hoping she can part with some wisdom so I can get through this.

She gives me a soft smile. "I don't know, Mallory, but I know when you're ready, you'll tell him."

I sigh. I really hope she's right. "I don't even have his number, Ma."

She grins. "That's okay. You say the word and we'll find it. We won’t stop until we have it."

I sigh in relief. Finding out I was pregnant was the biggest shock of my life. I thought I'd have to do this alone, but I have Ma, and I have Jess. Once I muster up the courage, I'll call Raptor. Until then, I need to consider what I'm going to do to raise this baby. I don't even have a job right now. Hell, I've never had a job. I need to start planning for the future.

I feel more settled now that Ma knows. It's going to be hard, but I have a feeling everything will be okay. I hope.

Chapter 3

Raptor

"You good, brother?" Stag questions. "You've been mopin' around for a while now; ever since you got back from Ireland, now that I think about it. It's been a few weeks. What's goin' on?"

I shake my head. "Nothin'," I lie.

I know exactly what the fuck is wrong with me. Mallory. I thought spending time apart from her would make me feel less uneasy, but it hasn’t worked. The woman is constantly on my mind. It’s something I never expected, but fuck, she's a witch and I'm spellbound. That's the only way to describe how I'm feeling. Never, not fucking ever, have I felt this way about anyone before. Now, I'm contemplating what to do. I want her, I really do. I’ve thought long and fucking hard about what it would mean and what I’d have to sacrifice to be with her, and it's fucked up beyond anything I've ever known. How do you give up everything you've worked your ass off for? How do you give up your family, your brotherhood, for a woman? You don't, and yet that's what I'm contemplating doing.

"Yeah, whatever you say, brother," Stag laughs. "But we all know you better than that. We all know what that look on your face means. You've found your woman. So what's the problem?"

I glare at the fucker. He's awful fucking chatty today. "Where's Kins?" I ask, wanting to know where his old lady is.

He scowls at me. "Busy. Now, what's happened?" he asks. "You were fine, then you went to Ireland, and ever since you came back you've been like a fucking bull. So what gives?"

"My woman lives in Ireland," I tell him through gritted teeth. "So tell me, man, what's goin' to happen?"

He runs his hand down his beard. "That's shit, brother. You serious about her?"

"Thinkin' about going nomad and movin' to Ireland," I say, letting him know just how fucking serious I am.

His eyes widen. "Alright, brother, I get it. Trust me, if it were Kins, I'd be finding out ways to be with her. What's your woman's name?"

"Mallory," I tell him. She's my raven-haired beauty and I fucked up. I truly fucked up.

"Have you spoken to her since you've been home?" he asks.

I shake my head. "Don't have her cell number. I don't even know her last name. The only things I do know is that she's eighteen, she’s Chloe's best friend, and she's fucking bewitched me."

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