Page 80 of The Silencer

"At least this time, it's not your wallet on the line," Stephen chimes in, a hint of amusement in his voice.

My cell buzzes and I see it’s Clodagh.The tension leaves my shoulders.Fucking finally.She was supposed to leave as soon as her exam finished but she said she had a doctor’s appointment.Thankfully, she hasn’t had a migraine since the day I came home to her in bed, but I have been urging her to get checked out and make sure everything’s okay.

Clodagh: Just in the car.Leaving now.I’ll make a quick pit stop to grab food, but I should be in Dublin around eleven.Can’t wait to see you.Love you.

I quickly reply just as phones buzz around me, letting me know the men’s women are finished with their dinner.“Time to go,” Stephen mutters as he rises to his feet.

Exiting the bar, the chill hits me and I grit my teeth.Fuck, it’s going to freeze tonight.I just hope Clodagh gets here safely.

The women are waiting for us as, each of them watching their men as we cross the road.Fuck, I miss Clodagh.It’s been months since I’ve spent longer than a weekend with her.From the shit going down with Maverick getting kidnapped and jobs for Cole and The Agency, it’s been fucking crazy.Why does everyone want jobs done so close to fucking Christmas?

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I hear a high-pitched whining sound.One that I know all too well.My eyes dart around, searching for the source of the sound.

Callie’s muffled scream hits me but I don’t look.I already know what I’m going to see.Someone’s been shot.

"Everyone down!"Maverick roars and I hear them dropping to the ground.I know the women are safe.Right now, I’m scanning the rooftops, trying to find out who did this.

"Fuck!"Denis yells."Where's it coming from?"

"Over there!"I snap, seeing movement at the top of the building.Whoever the fuck it is, they’re on the move.We need to move quickly if we’re going to catch them.

I turn my head and I finally see it.Finally see who was hit by the bullet.Ava.Callie’s best friend and the woman Freddie has loved since he was a kid.Fuck.She’s dead.I’ve killed too many people not to know.

Maverick, Stephen, Freddie, and I take off running toward the source of the gunfire.I already know what we’re going to find when we reach it.The fucker who did this will be gone.Fuck.

I lead the way to an alleyway and then up onto the fire escape ladder.Christ, I need to know what the fuck is going on.Why the fuck did they shoot at the women?Who was the actual target?Was it Ava or was it someone else?

“Fuck,” Freddie snarls as we get to the top of the ladder and climb onto the roof.“They’re gone.”He runs his hands through his hair in frustration.“I want that motherfucker found.”

“Shit,” Stephen growls, his voice low and filled with anger.“What the fuck?”

Maverick moves toward Stephen, where there’s something on the ground.

"What is that?"Freddie asks, peering over Maverick’s shoulder with wide eyes.

Mav carefully picks up the objects in question.A single bullet casing and an Ace of Hearts card, now slick with blood.

"Fuck me," I breathe."They left a calling card."

“Who did?”Freddie snarls, his fists clenched at his sides.“Who the fuck shot Ava?”

I shake my head.I have no idea who shot Ava, but something about the Ace of Hearts is familiar and I can’t fucking put my finger on it.“I don’t know.”

“Fuck,” Stephen grunts, running a hand through his hair in frustration.“Let’s get back to the women and check on Ava.”

My gaze collides with Mav’s.We both know Ava is gone.It’s fucked up that someone took her out.Of all the women in the group, she’s the one who isn’t in this life.Fuck, she was in America up until recently.

We make it back to the women and they’re all crying.Danny’s hunched over Ava’s body, his fingers pulling her eyelids closed.

“No,” Freddie snaps, his voice cracking with anguish."No, no, no!"He drops to his knees beside Ava's body, cradling her head in his hands."Baby,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to her head.

Christ, he’s absolutely gutted, and I would be too if it were Clodagh.Fuck, I need to get to her.

"We need to move," I say low.I don’t want to be around here."Whoever did this could still be watching."

Freddie turns his gaze to me, anger and pain blazing in his eyes.“I’m not fucking leaving her,” he growls.

“Brother,” Danny says low, “I’ll stay with you, but the women should go home.”

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