Page 86 of The Silencer

I can see a mixture of emotions playing across her face—hurt, anger, but also a glimmer of excitement.

"I know it's a lot to take in," I say softly."And I understand if you're angry with me.But I hope you can forgive me.I need my best friend, now more than ever."

Lisa sighs heavily, running a hand through her hair."I am angry, Clodagh.And hurt.But...you're my best friend.And I love you.It's going to take some time, but we'll work through this."

Relief washes over me and I pull her into a hug."Thank you, Lisa.I love you too.I haven’t told Tammy about the baby yet.I only found out yesterday.”

Her arms tighten around me.“And everything’s okay, yeah?”

I nod.“Yeah.I’m twelve weeks.I still don’t know how I didn’t realize I was pregnant — but I am.And I’m happy.”I pause, glancing down.“I’m sorry I never told you about me and Emmanuel.After everything that happened… after how hurt you were when he left me… I didn’t want to put you in the middle.I didn’t want to make you feel like you had to choose.”

I hear her sharp intake of breath.“Clo,” she whispers.“That would never have happened.Just like how happy you were for me and Maverick, I’d have been the same for you and Emmanuel.I’m sorry you thought that.I hate that you felt like you couldn’t tell me.No more secrets, okay?”

I nod, glad she knows everything.It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

As we pull apart, Lisa's expression turns serious."Now, can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?Why are we all here?"

I shake my head."I don't know all the details.Emmanuel just said he remembered something important about what happened to Ava."

Jess smiles at me as she comes to stand beside us.“I don’t know anything.Stephen tends to keep me shielded from anything to do with his job.”

Emmanuel does the same, and I love him even more for it.

Just then, the men file back into the room, their faces grim.Emmanuel comes straight to me, wrapping an arm around my waist, holding me close.I rest against him, seeking the comfort his arms offer me.

"We need to talk," Jer says, addressing everyone in the room."There's something you all need to know."

I tense.God, what happened now?

“The Fury Vipers have lost a member,” Jer begins.“Hustler was just eighteen and he was killed this morning.As much as you may not like it, we’re closing ranks.Which means, until this shit is over, this’ll become your new home.”

I begin to tremble.God, what the hell is going on?Emmanuel’s arms tighten around me and he holds me close.My throat begins to close as tears sting the backs of my eyes.I’m terrified, absolutely frightened of what’s to come.

“We have an idea about who is doing this and within hours we’ll figure it all out.This stay is only temporary.”

But even as the words come out of Jerry’s mouth, I don’t believe them.There’s just something about this situation that has me on edge, and I think it’s because Emmanuel is on edge and I’m feeding off of that.

“You do not leave this house without an escort.I’m well aware that each and every one of you ladies are more than capable of taking care of yourselves, but for our sanity, if you need to go somewhere, there will be guards with you.”

I glance at the clock on the wall.We’ve been here for around an hour already and my anxiety is at an all time high.I don’t think I’ll be able to calm down until whoever it is that’s killing people is found.I’m scared about what could happen to Emmanuel, worried he could be on this person's hit list.I can't lose him.

"Come on," Emmanuel says once Jer's finished talking, “let's get you upstairs.I'll swing by our apartment later and grab clothes."

I turn to face him, my body trembling."No," I whisper.He can't go alone.

Emmanuel's eyes soften as he looks at me."Baby, I'll be fine.I promise.I'll have Maverick with me."

I shake my head, gripping his shirt tightly."Please, I can't lose you."

He cups my face in his hands, pressing his forehead to mine."You're not going to lose me, Clodagh.I swear it.But I need to know you're safe here while I take care of this."

Tears spill down my cheeks."I'm scared, Emmanuel.What if something happens to you?"

"Nothing's going to happen to me," he says firmly."I'm coming back to you and our baby.Always."

I take a shaky breath, trying to calm myself."Okay.But please, be careful."

Emmanuel kisses me softly."I will.I love you, Clodagh."

---