Page 58 of The Silencer

"Emmanuel?"Her voice is filled with worry."Is everything okay?"

"It's over," I say simply."He's gone.You're safe now."

There's a long pause on the other end of the line.When she speaks again, her voice is thick with emotion."Really?It's...it's really over?"

"Yes," I confirm, my voice hoarse.

"Can I see you?"Clodagh asks softly."I...I need to see you."

I hesitate, remembering Jer's warnings about getting too close.But after everything that's happened, I can't bring myself to say no.

"Okay," I agree."I'll be there in twenty minutes."

When I arrive at Clodagh's house, she's waiting for me on the porch.As soon as she sees me, she runs down the steps and throws her arms around me.I freeze for a moment before slowly returning the embrace.

"Thank you," she whispers against my chest."Thank you for keeping me safe."

I pull back slightly, looking down at her."You don't have to thank me, Clodagh.I'd do anything to protect you."

She looks up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears."I know.That's why..."

She trails off, biting her lip.I know what she wants to say, what she wants to do.And God help me, I want it too.But I can't.Not yet.

"Clodagh," I say gently, taking a step back."We can't.You're still so young, and there's still so much danger out there."

She nods, trying to hide her disappointment."I understand.But Emmanuel...will there ever be a time when we can?"

I look at her, this brave, beautiful girl who's been through so much because of my father.I want to promise her the world, to tell her that someday, when all of this is over, we'll have our chance.But I can't make that promise.Not when I don't know what the future holds.

"I don't know," I answer honestly."But what I do know is that no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you.To protect you, to support you.Whatever you need."

She gives me a small smile, wiping away a stray tear."I guess that'll have to be enough for now."

As I drive away from Clodagh's house, my mind is racing.I've done what I set out to do—I've eliminated the immediate threat to her safety.But I know that as long as the Syndicate is out there, as long as there are people who want to use her to get to me, she'll never be truly safe.

I make a decision then and there.I'll do whatever it takes to dismantle the Syndicate, to eliminate every last threat to Clodagh's safety.And maybe, just maybe, when it's all over, we'll have our chance.

My cell rings and I don’t hesitate to answer."We need to meet.It's time to take down the rat," Jer says.He doesn’t wait for me to answer; he just ends the call.The war isn't over, it’s just getting started, but I'm ready for whatever the fuck comes next.

* * *

I pull up to Jer's house, my mind still reeling from the events that happened in such a short space of time.The death of my father, the conversation with Clodagh, it all feels surreal.But I know I can't afford to dwell on it now.We have a traitor to deal with.

Jer and Maverick are waiting for me in the study, their faces identical, both pissed the fuck off.

"What's the situation?"I ask, getting straight to business.

Jer slides a folder across the desk to me."We've finally found the leak.The false information we fed them has started to leak."

I open the folder, scanning the contents.A picture of a man sits before me.Michael Reeves.He’s one of the longest serving members of the Houlihan Gang.He’s one of the higher ups in the rankings.

I stare at the photo of Michael Reeves, feeling a mixture of anger and disappointment.He's been with us for years, trusted with sensitive information.And all this time, he's been feeding intel to our enemies.

"How long?"I ask, my voice tight with barely contained rage.

"At least six months," Maverick replies grimly."Maybe longer.We're still piecing together the extent of the damage."

I clench my fists, thinking of all the operations that have gone sideways over the past year.How many of our people have been hurt or killed because of this bastard's betrayal?

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