Page 19 of The Silencer

I nod, surprising myself with how much I mean it."Yeah," I say."It was...nice."

Tammy beams at me, and I feel a small smile tugging at my own lips.It's not much, but it's a start.A step toward healing, toward a new kind of normal.

As we walk back to the car, Tammy's hand gentle on my shoulder, I realize something.The future is still uncertain, still scary in many ways, but for the first time since that terrible night, I feel a glimmer of hope for what lies ahead.With Tammy by my side, maybe I can face whatever comes next.Maybe, just maybe, I can find a way to be okay again.

While Tammy drives home, I lean my head against the window, watching the world go by.The fear and pain aren't gone—I don't know if they ever will be completely—but right now, in this moment, I feel safe.I feel cared for.And that's more than I thought I'd ever have again.

"Clodagh?"Tammy says softly as we pull into the driveway.

I turn to look at her."Yes?"

She smiles, her eyes warm."I'm really glad you're here with me.I hope you know that."

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat."Me too," I whisper.

As we walk into the house, Mister Whiskers greeting us with loud meows.It’s weird.I didn’t mean for it to happen.But between Tammy, this cat who basically owns my heart, and a room that’s starting to feel like it belongs to me… this place doesn’t feel like somewhere I’m just staying.It feels like home.

And for the first time since that horrible night, I feel like maybe, just maybe, everything will be okay.

NINE

emmanuel

TWO YEARS LATER

“You good?”Maverick asks as we step off the plane at LAX.So much has changed over the past two years.Maverick went from not wanting to be a part of Jer’s world to being so immersed in it, Jer is wanting to have Maverick take over when he retires.

“I’m good,” I assure him.

“Really?”he asks with a raised brow.“Your ma’s in fucking rehab, Emman.I doubt you’re fine.”

Last year, Ma’s best friend Patricia died.She was shot to death, and the killer is still out there.Ma took Patty’s death hard, and she started drinking heavily.Two weeks ago, I found her passed out, vomit spilling from her lips, and I lost it.Christ, I thought she was going to die.I gave her an ultimatum: get help or she’s on her own.Thankfully, she took option one and is now in a rehab facility to help her.

“I’m fine.She’s getting help and that’s the best thing for her.What about you?Hmm?Are you dealing with what happened to Callie yet?”

He found out that his twin sister was in an abusive relationship, and the asshole she was dating tried to kill her while Mav was in the apartment.That was the night Mav joined the Houlihan Gang and became the Cleaner.He’s good at making people disappear without a trace.

Maverick's jaw tightens at the mention of Callie."She's doing better," he says tersely."Let's focus on why we're here, yeah?"

I nod, letting the subject drop.We both have our demons, but right now we have a job to do.

"So, what's the deal with this mark?"Maverick asks as we climb into our rental car.

I pull out my phone and bring up the file Cole sent me."Marcus Delgado.Drug kingpin, human trafficker, all-around scumbag.He's been untouchable for years, but we finally got a lead on his location."

Maverick whistles low."Big fish.No wonder Cole wanted both of us on this one."

I nod grimly."Yeah, it's not going to be easy.He's holed up in a heavily fortified compound just outside the city.We're going to need to be smart about this."

As we drive toward our hotel, I brief Maverick on the details of the plan.It's a two-man job—I'll take the shot from a distance while Maverick handles crowd control and our exit strategy.

"You heard from Travis lately?"Maverick asks as we pull into the hotel parking lot.

I shake my head."Not since that job in Beijing last month.Why?"

Maverick shrugs."Just curious.I heard rumors that The Agency might be looking to expand their operations.Thought you might know something."

I frown.This is news to me."I'll ask Cole about it when we get back.For now, let's focus on Delgado."

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