Page 10 of Hateful Union

The men are animals. They’re relentless as they beat Mayer. I struggle to get free from Malcolm’s hold. “Let me go,” I scream, watching as yet again Mayer is delivered a harsh punch to the face.

“Stop fighting me.” His thick Irish accent is harsh. “I’m not letting you go.”

“They’re gonna kill him,” I whisper. Pain splinters through my body at the realisation. My legs buckle beneath me and I would have hit the deck only for the bastard behind me holding me up.

“Some people deserve it,” he replies callously.

“Arsehole,” I snap, grateful for the anger that’s now coursing through my body. “You do not get to fucking dictate who lives and dies. I need to go to him.”

“And I need you to be alive.”

I still at his words. “What?” It’s a harsh and brittle whisper. Why the fuck would he care?

“Told you, babe, I’m going to fuck with you.” There’s no hint of remorse or hesitation in his words. He really is going to fucking play me.

I turn my attention back to Mayer. My heart sinks when I see him lying on the ground, the men kicking him anywhere they can land their feet. He’s unmoving, his head bleeding profusely. Every minute is precious.

I need to be with him. I once again try to fight my way out of the hold. I claw and kick as hard as I can, but the grip he has on me is overpowering. I’ll continue to fight, to try and get free. I need to, for Mayer.

“Let go of me, you brute,” Gabby screams and I can only guess that the man that was seated with Malcolm has her restrained also.

A scream gets lodged into my throat as one of the fucking bastards lifts his foot and brings it heavily down against Mayer’s face. Bones crack, blood spurts, and yet, not a peep is made from him.

“Hand her over,” the prick who crushed Mayer’s face demands, blood dripping from his shoe and a sadistic smile plays on his face.

“Not going to happen,” Malcolm rumbles, his arm tightening around my chest even further, it’s a crushing hold. “It’s time for all of you to leave.”

The men step forwards collectively. “That’s not an option. Harry Silver killed our sister, he has to pay. An eye for an eye is the only way that’s going to happen.” The one that seems to be the leader says.

Another man grins salaciously at me, “We’ll sell you just as your father did her.”

My body tightens. That’s twice tonight someone’s mentioned being sold. What the fuck has my dad done?

“Again,” Malcolm announces, “it’s not going to happen. You’ve got a choice. Leave now, or you’ll end up like him.” He indicates Mayer who still hasn’t moved.

“Ah, shit,” one of them comments.

I’m still staring at Mayer, his eyes are closed and blood is pooling around him. Why is he not moving?

Please be okay.I beg silently.

“You’re Malcolm Gallagher.” The fear etched into the man’s voice isn’t anything new. The Gallagher’s are a force to be reckoned with. Fuck with one of them, you’ll have the entire family after you.

“I’d advise you turn around and go to wherever the fuck it is that you crawled out of.” Malcolm still has yet to ease up his hold on me. “Raylee Silver is no longer on your radar.”

“You won’t be around to protect her forever.” The leader sneers at me as I lift my head, he starts to back away and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Get your hands off me,” I gripe when the men are out of sight.

The fucker chuckles, “I like you where you are.”

I grit my teeth and bring my elbow back into his gut. Thankfully, it does the trick and he releases me. I push forwards and as soon as I reach Mayer, I drop to my knees in front of him. Gabby’s mere seconds behind me. My fingers are searching for a pulse and unable to find it.

“Ray,” Gabs whispers, the tears streaming down her face. “No, Raylee…”

I close my eyes in a bid to stop my own from falling. God, my heart’s breaking. Utterly shattering.

“Call Bentley,” I instruct her, my voice wobbly. I know that as soon as she calls he’ll be on his way. “Tell him what’s happened.”

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