Page 92 of The Silencer

Henry turns his bright blue eyes to me.“You, my dear, are very inquisitive.No one has asked that question in the hour since we have found the briefcase.”

I feel my cheeks flush at his words.

“Alastríona Gallagher Grey is my granddaughter,” he tells me.

“Want to say that again?”Denis growls, his eyes wide as he takes in his grandfather.He’s looking at him like he’s never seen him before.

“Killian,” he begins.“My son was part of the IRA.His daughter is Alastríona.Her ma, Catherine, didn't want Alastríona in harm’s way, so Cat and Killian decided to keep Alastríona safe and hid her.She’s been living in Northern Ireland her entire life.”

The room falls silent as everyone processes this new information.I can see the shock on Denis' face as he learns about a cousin he never knew existed.

"How old is she?"Denis asks, his voice hoarse.

"Eighteen," Henry replies."She's been living under an assumed name, working in a bar in Belfast."

"And now she's a target," Maverick says grimly."We need to get her somewhere safe, immediately."

Henry nods."I've already sent someone to retrieve her.Freddie should be arriving within the next few hours."

“Freddie?”Jer repeats.

Henry nods.“Yes.I called him once I found out about the bullets.He was in London.He’s taking the first flight to Belfast.”

Emmanuel's hand tightens around mine."This shit can’t continue.”

Stephen nods.“Whoever this cunt is, they have access to information that should be impossible to get.”

Jer nods grimly."Tonight, I’m calling a meeting.Every member of the Gang is to be present."

“As will every Gallagher man.Knowing Butch and Pyro, their brothers will be present too,” Denis says, his voice heavy, and I have no doubt it’s down to finding out that his uncle had a kid he never knew about.

“We’ll conference with everyone involved.It’s time for answers,” Henry says, his voice is low, but even quiet, it’s menacing.“That means the Gallos and the Syndicate.Those fuckers are keeping something from us and I want answers.”

As the men continue to talk about this evening, something in the air feels as though it’s shifted.I really hope they get the answers we’ve all been needing.

As everyone begins to leave, Emmanuel pulls me aside."Are you okay?"he asks softly, his hand gently caressing my bump.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves."I'm scared," I admit."But I trust you.I know you'll keep us safe."

He pulls me into his arms, holding me tight."With my life," he promises."You and our son are everything to me.I won't let anything happen to you."

I know he won’t.I have the utmost faith in Emmanuel.I’d follow him anywhere because I know he’s going to do whatever it takes to keep our family safe.

THIRTY-THREE

emmanuel

“Why?”Makenna’s voice is loud, like a whip through the screen.“Why did you never tell us?”

We’re standing at the docklands—Jer’s favorite place—and everyone is here.Denis, Henry, and Jerry didn’t like when they said everyone would be in attendance.Everyone who’s anyone in Ireland is here.Not to mention there’s Makenna and Dante, Hayden, Liam, and Hayes Gallagher—Denis’ cousins.Jade and Rocco Gallo, along with his brothers, Elio and Alessio.Then there’s the Syndicate: Cesare Mariano, Ronan Delaney, Olezeka Morozov, and Prior King.

“That is for another day, my dear,” Henry says.

Right now isn’t the place to air family laundry.We’re looking to find out the truth about who’s behind all of this shit.

“I have some information,” Ronan Delaney says, speaking for the first time.He’s head of the Irish mafia in Boston.

“What is it?”Jer asks, his arms crossed over his chest

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