Page 83 of The Silencer

As we drive, I fill Clodagh in on what happened, careful to leave out the more gruesome details.She listens quietly, her hand gripping mine tightly.

"Poor Freddie," she whispers when I finish."He must be devastated."

I nod grimly."He is.We all are."

As we enter our apartment, I do a quick sweep to make sure everything's secure.

"Emmanuel," Clodagh says softly once I've finished checking the locks."There's something I need to tell you."

I turn to her, concern etching my features."What is it, baby?"

She takes a deep breath, her hand going to her stomach."I'm pregnant."

For a moment, I'm frozen in shock."You're...we're going to have a baby?"I ask, my words thick and hoarse.

Clodagh nods, tears spilling down her cheeks."I found out today at the doctors.I'm about twelve weeks along."

I pull her into my arms, kissing her deeply.When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers."I love you so much, Clodagh.You and our baby."

As I hold her close, I'm hit with a fierce wave of protectiveness.I'll do whatever it takes to keep my family safe.Whoever is behind Ava's murder had better watch out, because I won't rest until they're found and dealt with.

TWENTY-NINE

emmanuel

I couldn’t sleep.I held Clodagh in my arms all night, my hand splayed on her stomach, right where our baby is growing.Christ, she’s having my baby.I’m going to be a dad.Fuck.

I’m beyond happy, this is all I have ever wanted, for Clodagh and I to have our own family.But with what happened last night with Ava, things are up in the air, so we couldn’t even celebrate properly.

It was around five a.m.when it hit me—the piece I had been missing, and fuck, everything fell into place the moment I realized it.

Michael Reeves.That fucker sang like a canary about the Harringtons.He told us they had planned for something called the Ace of Hearts.It was years ago, which is why I forgot.But fuck, I’ve remembered.Shit.Which means this is down to the Syndicate.Cunts.

I need to get Clodagh up.It fucking pains me to wake her, especially now that she’s pregnant, but I need her to come to Jer’s with me, and I have no doubt that Lisa and Jess will be there also.

I press a kiss to her shoulder."Baby, I'm sorry to wake you, but we need to go."

Clodagh blinks sleepily, glancing up at me."What's wrong?Is everything okay?"

"I remembered something important about what happened last night," I say, already moving to my clothes."We need to go to Jer's.It’s going to be a hectic day, baby, but I need you with me."

Clodagh sits up, suddenly alert."What did you remember?"she asks softly, her eyes wide, and I see the fear in them.

I shake my head."I love you, baby, but this shit doesn’t touch you.I promise if it ever involves you or our baby, I’ll tell you.But we need to go."

My stomach is in knots as we hurriedly get dressed.Clodagh is pale, and it fucking guts me as I realize she’s probably been sick while I’ve been away."Are you feeling alright, baby?"I ask.

Clodagh nods, plastering a smile on her face.“I'll be fine."

I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead."We'll stop and get you some breakfast on the way.No doubt you didn’t eat properly last night."

Twenty minutes later, we’re in the car and almost at Jer’s.I reach over and hold her hand.Christ, I’m so fucking glad she’s with me.I’d be losing my mind if she were still in Galway.

"Emmanuel," Clodagh says softly."What are we going to tell everyone?About us?About the baby?"

I sigh, running my hand through my hair."I know you wanted to wait to tell Lisa, but with everything that's happening...I think we need to come clean.All of it."

Clodagh nods, her free hand resting on her still-flat stomach."You're right.It's time."

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