Page 89 of The Silencer

Yeah, I don’t see that fucking happening.Whoever the hell this bastard is, they’ve targeted too many of our families.They want to go at him?Join the motherfucking queue.

"Fuck," Maverick growls, running a hand through his hair in frustration."This is getting out of hand.We've got bodies dropping left and right and no fucking clue who's behind it."

I nod grimly in agreement."Makenna, tell Hayden and the others to sit tight.We need to coordinate on this, not go off half-cocked."

"Easier said than done," Makenna replies, her voice tight."These men are out for blood.But I'll do my best to keep them in check."

"Good," Jer says."We'll be in touch soon with a plan.For now, everyone needs to stay alert and watch their backs."

After we hang up, the room falls into a tense silence.

"So what now?"Stephen asks, voicing what we're all thinking.

Jer sighs heavily."We keep digging.Someone has to know something.Denis, get Melissa on it—have her dig deeper into Ava's time in Boston.Stephen, reach out to your contacts in law enforcement, see if they've heard any chatter.Maverick, you and I will go through every piece of intel we have on the Syndicate, see if we can find any connections we might have missed."

"What about me?"I ask, already knowing the answer.

Jer's eyes meet mine."You stay close to the women.Keep them safe.And be ready—when we find whoever's behind this, we'll need your skills."

I nod, a grim determination settling over me.Whoever is doing this, they've made a grave mistake.They've threatened my family, my soon-to-be wife, my unborn child.And for that, they'll pay dearly.

As I head upstairs to check on Clodagh, I can't shake the feeling that we're missing something crucial.Something that's right in front of us, but we just can't see it yet.And I pray to whatever God might be listening that we figure it out before anyone else gets hurt.

She’s sitting on the bed, staring out the window, when I enter the room.She looks so fucking lost, so frightened.I fucking hate this shit.

"Hey, baby," I say softly, sitting beside her and pulling her into my arms.Fuck, this is where she belongs.Right where she belongs."How are you holding up?"

She leans into me.It never fails to humble me how much faith she has in me.We started off rocky, but since the age of sixteen, she’s had faith in me.She knows I’d never let any harm come to her.I fucking love that."I'm okay.Just...scared, I guess.And sad for Ava's family.For Freddie."

I nod.I get it.It’s such a fucking shit situation, but we’re going to fucking figure it out.I press a kiss to her temple."I know, baby.We're going to find out who did this.I promise you that."

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with love."Did you find out anything new?"

I grit my teeth and take a deep breath.Do I want to tell her about what happened in America?No, she’s under enough stress as it is.“Nothing yet.We’re hoping we’ll uncover something soon.”

She releases a ragged breath and nods against my chest.As Clodagh rests against my chest, I gently stroke her hair, trying to offer what comfort I can.I hate seeing her like this—scared and uncertain.It goes against every protective instinct I have.

"I wish there was more I could do," Clodagh says softly."I feel so helpless just sitting here while everyone else is working to solve this."

I press a kiss to the top of her head."You're doing plenty, baby.You're keeping our little one safe.That's the most important job right now."

She nods, her hand coming to rest on her still-flat stomach."I know.I just...I hate feeling like a burden."

"Hey," I say firmly, tilting her chin up to look at me."You are not a burden.You're my everything, Clodagh.You and our baby.Keeping you safe isn't a chore; it's my purpose."

Tears well up in her eyes and she buries her face in my chest.I hold her close, wishing I could take away all her fears and worries.

After a while, Clodagh's breathing evens out and I realize she's fallen asleep.Carefully, I lay her down on the bed and pull the covers over her.I press a soft kiss to her forehead before quietly leaving the room.

As I head back downstairs, my mind is racing.We need to solve this, and fast.Not just for our sake, but for the sake of all our families.For Clodagh and our unborn child.

I rejoin the others in the living room, all of whom look ready for war.Good, we’re going to need them like this.The second we have the details of whoever’s behind this, the sooner I can end them and make sure our women are safe.

“Anything?”I ask, my voice rough.

"Nothing concrete yet," Jer replies, frustration evident in his voice."But we've got people working every angle.Something's got to break soon."

Maverick nods in agreement."Melissa's digging deeper into Ava's time in Boston.If there's anything to find, she'll uncover it."

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