Page 60 of The Cleaner

Both men are unconscious and it’s time to get the fuck out of here and send the message we’ve been dying to send for months.

Chapter

Twenty-Five

MAVERICK

I'm scrollingthrough my phone as I wait for Lisa to be ready. Today is Uncle Jer's annual party. He's celebrating his birthday, and for the first time in years, everyone in the family will be in attendance. It's a huge, extravagant affair; a sit down dinner and then music afterwards. It's not only family who'll be there but anyone who's significant in our lives. Which means the majority of Dublin will be there, including my parents and sister, all of whom are chomping at the bit to meet Lisa.

It's been just over eight months since we started dating and I've not introduced her to my parents, knowing that she wasn't ready. I still don't think she is, but the party is happening and she's coming with me, so she'll meet them either way, but at least she'll be surrounded by other people that she can escape to if she needs. Thankfully, Callie and Chloe will also be in attendance and she knows them both, so it'll help. Not to mention, Clodagh's coming too. Lisa's not going to be alone.

My phone rings and I see Stephen's name on the screen. "You good?" I ask as I answer.

"Yep," he replies. "Jess is getting ready and I've probably got another hour to wait," he sighs.

"Same here. I don’t know why it takes Lisa so long. But we'll be there at some stage this evening," I mutter.

"I can hear you, you know?" I hear her yell from the bathroom, and I chuckle.

"Tanya Jennings is on the warpath," Stephen tells me, and I tense. "She's lost her damn fucking mind, Mav. From what Freddie and I have heard, with every limb and body part that the Jennings' are sent, it sends her spiralling even more."

"Good. That fucking bitch deserves this," I snarl. I know what she did to Lisa's mam. I'm not letting Tanya Jennings off lightly. No, that bitch is going to suffer just as her husband is.

"Yep, and it makes it even sweeter that she's not sure if it's her husband or brother who's being sent to them."

I grin. "That's the plan," I say, revelling in the despair that bitch is feeling. "Keep her guessing, keep her scared. She deserves every bit of torment coming her way." She has no fucking idea that I have her husband still, that he’s alive and kicking—for now at least. I’m nowhere near finished with him. He deserves everything he gets. He hurt Lisa, and that’s not something I’d ever allow to happen or let slide.

The woman is the love of my life. I know how special it is to find the one who makes everything make sense and feel natural, and that’s what I’ve found with Lisa. She’s the calm to my storm, and I won’t tolerate any person or thing that tries to cause her harm. I’ll kill anyone who even tries to hurt her.

"Agreed," Stephen replies. "But listen, Mav, we need to be careful. Tanya's unpredictable on the best of days. This shit is going to send her over the edge. She’s unhinged as it is. There’s no knowing what she’ll do next."

I run a hand through my hair. It’s why I’ve not been far from Lisa. I don’t want any backlash to come at her. “Any word on increased security for the party?"

"Jer's doubled it. Says he's not taking any chances with the whole family there," Stephen says, and I know that he’s more than pleased about that, especially as his wife will be in attendance.

"Smart move," I mutter, glancing toward the bathroom, where I can hear Lisa humming softly. "Look, I gotta go. We'll see you there."

I hang up just as Lisa steps out of the bathroom looking stunning in a deep emerald green dress that hugs her curves perfectly. Her long, dark hair cascades down her back in soft waves, and her eyes sparkle as she smiles at me.

"How do I look?" she asks, running a hand down her dress to smooth out an imaginary wrinkle.

It takes me a while to swallow. Fuck, she’s beyond beautiful, and she has no fucking idea just how stunning she is. Those fucking cunts Ben and Tanya made her doubt herself. I know they did. Whatever shit they pulled with her, they broke her confidence, and I’m going to do whatever the fuck it takes to show her just how beautiful she truly is.

"Absolutely breathtaking," I finally manage to say, standing up and walking over to her. I place my hands on her waist and pull her close. "You're so fucking beautiful, Lisa. Christ, I’m rock hard just looking at you."

Lisa blushes and looks down, still not used to compliments. I tilt her chin up gently, forcing her to meet my gaze. "I mean it, baby. You're stunning."

She smiles shyly and leans in to kiss me softly. "Thank you," she whispers against my lips.

I deepen the kiss for a moment before reluctantly pulling away. As much as I want to take her right here and now, we have a party to attend. “We should get going," I say, my voice husky with desire. "As much as I'd love to stay here and showyou exactly how beautiful you are, we can't be late to Uncle Jer's party."

Lisa nods, a flash of disappointment dancing across her face. I know she's nervous about meeting my family, especially my parents. I squeeze her hand reassuringly. "It'll be fine, babe. Everyone’s going to love you."

She takes a deep breath and gives me a soft smile, but it doesn’t hide the fear in her gorgeous eyes.

“Trust me, Lisa. It’s going to be okay.” I draw her close once more and kiss her. This time, it’s hard and deep. When I pull back, her eyes are dark with lust and her lips swollen. My cock is thick and hard. I want her so fucking much, but I don’t have the time to show her just how much I do.

I rest my forehead against hers. “We'll be late if we don't leave now," I say, my voice husky with desire.

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