Page 52 of Shattered Union

I push open the office door. Nostalgia hits me as it does every time I’m in this room. This was my granda’s office before he died. I used to curl up on the chaise lounge and read while he did his business.

He wasn’t like Uncle Jer, but what he did wasn’t exactly legal. He was a loan shark, one who would hurt you if you didn’t pay. Jer is worse than Granda ever was. But it doesn’t matter, I love them both, they’d never hurt me or my family.

“What do you want, Denis?” I ask him once we’re inside the office and I’ve closed the door.

His eyes narrow as he takes in my face. “Baby, what the hell happened?”

I can’t do this. Having him here, so close to me, hurts.

“It doesn’t matter. Denis, this has to stop.”

“I’ve been worried about you,” he says, ignoring my previous words. “It’s been a week, Callie. A fucking week and I’ve not heard a word, not been able to see you, I didn’t know what happened.”

I take a step back. What is he doing? Why is he doing this to me? “Why does it matter?”

He gapes at me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

I raise a brow. That doesn’t answer my question.

He runs a hand through his hair. “I fucking love you, Callie. Of course it matters.”

“You’re still married,” I remind him. I’m unable to keep the anger out of my voice. “You brought your fucking wife here. To my family's home. You really expect me to believe you care? Go away, just stay the hell away from me. I’m done.”

His eyes widen. Rage and panic fill them. “Done?” he snarls. “We’re far from fucking done. I didn’t fucking bring her. The bitch strolled in not long before you did.”

The door opens and I move even further away from him. He may think there’s something between us, but to me, I’m exhausted. I’m tired of feeling as though I mean nothing to him. I hurt all the damn time.

My mam rushes into the room, Dad and Maverick hot on her heels. “Mr. Gallagher, it’s time for you to leave,” Mam says, not even glancing at him. Her eyes on me, filled with worry and hurt.

“Not happening,” Denis growls. “What the hell happened?”

“It’s not the time for this,” Ava says as she saunters into the room and coming to my side.

God, am I glad to see her.

“Not the time?” Maverick hisses. “Not the fucking time? He’s the reason my sister was fucking beaten in her own home. If she hadn’t escaped that lunatic to call for help, she’d have been dead.”

I flinch at his tone. My brother. My protector. He feels so helpless and I hate there’s nothing I can do to help him. “Mav,” I whisper.

He shakes his head, his eyes filled with tears. “You didn’t call me, Cal, you didn’t tell me any of this shit.”

“You're not the only one, Mav,” Mam says. “Your sister didn’t tell anyone.”

I glance at Dad, he never told mam about our conversation.

“Eric?” Mam hisses. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“What’s going to happen now?” Jerry questions, glancing around the room.

“Nothing,” I reply.

“What?” Mav growls. “You’re going to let this bastard get away with it?”

“What she means,” Ava begins, reaching for my hand. “Is that she will not do anything because she’s moving. We’re going to London.”

“Ava,” I hiss. I hadn’t told my family yet.

The mood in the room changes. Anger swirls in the air.

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