Page 55 of The Silencer

I feel my blood run cold at Clodagh's words."A letter?What did it say?"

Clodagh hugs her knees tighter, her voice barely above a whisper."He...he said he's coming for me.That he has unfinished business with me.That he never got to do what he wanted the first time."

Rage and fear war inside me.How dare he threaten her again.And how the hell did he manage to get a letter to her?

"Can I see it?"I ask, trying to keep my voice calm.

She nods, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a crumpled envelope.I take it carefully, as if it might explode in my hands.The postmark is from Hawaii, confirming our intel about my father's location.But the contents of the letter make my stomach churn.

My dear Clodagh,

I hope this letter finds you well.I'm sure you thought you'd seen the last of me, but I assure you, you haven’t.You and I are far from finished.

Because of you, I was sent to prison.Because of you, I’ve had to live like a criminal.People think I hurt you.The truth is, I never got the chance to do what I actually wanted to do.

Don’t worry, that’ll be changing soon.

Emmanuel can't protect you forever.

See you soon, Clodagh.Real soon.

I crumple the letter in my fist, barely containing my anger."Clodagh, I promise you, he won't get anywhere near you.We'll increase security, move you to a safe house if necessary."

She looks up at me, her eyes brimming with tears."I'm scared, Emmanuel.I thought this was over, that I could finally move on with my life.But now..."

Without thinking, I pull her into my arms.She buries her face in my chest, her body shaking with silent sobs.I know I should maintain professional distance, but at this moment, all I want to do is protect her, comfort her.

"Listen to me," I say softly, stroking her hair."I won't let anything happen to you.We're going to end this, once and for all."

She pulls back slightly, looking up at me.Our faces are inches apart, and I can see the fear in her eyes, but also something else.Trust.Hope.And maybe...something more.

For a moment, we stay like that, frozen in time.Then, slowly, she leans in, her lips brushing against mine.It's soft and tentative, but it sends electricity coursing through my body.

For a split second, I let myself get lost in the kiss.But then reality comes crashing back.I pull away abruptly, standing up.

"Clodagh, we can't," I say, my voice hoarse."You're seventeen."

She looks hurt, confused."Emmanuel, I?—"

"I'm sorry," I cut her off."But this...us...it can't happen.Not now.Maybe not ever."

The words taste bitter in my mouth, but I know they're necessary.Getting involved with Clodagh would only put her in more danger.And I would never be able to live with myself if something did happen to her.

I walk away, heading toward my car with a heaviness in my chest.I know this is the right decision, but fuck it hurts.Clodagh deserves happiness and being with me will only bring fear.

As I slide into the car, my only thought now is getting to America and doing what I should have done years ago.

Jacob Dellinger’s days are numbered.

TWENTY

emmanuel

"We've got a problem,"I say the second Jer answers his phone."My father sent Clodagh a letter.He's threatening her again."

I hear Jer curse under his breath."How the hell did he manage that?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't matter now.We need to move fast.He's in Hawaii, Jer.We need to end this."

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