Page 76 of Hateful Union

He sighs, “I’ve no bloody idea, Ray-Ray. But they told me something that answered what had been bugging the hell out of me.”

“Oh, and what’s that?”

“The agents found the Henderson brothers' right-hand man, Grant. That fucker is currently looking at doing a long stretch at her majesty’s pleasure.”

“What’s he going to prison for?”

Bent chuckles, “Yeah, so his criminal espionage didn’t end when the Henderson brothers lost their lives. He’s turned into a part-time thug, he’s looking at doing at least ten years for the shit he’s done. But the agents got a hold of him and offered a plea deal.”

Dread hits the pit of my stomach.

“George Henderson hired Dad and Ashton when they were only sixteen years old. They worked a lot of shit that neither wanted too, but the money was good and they were so far inside of the organization that the only way out was in a body bag.” Bentley tells me, his voice hard and filled with rage.

I understand the anger. We’re still coming to terms with what our father was. It hurts knowing that a man we once loved and respected could be such a fucking monster.

“One of the jobs that Dad and Ashton had to do was locate vulnerable young women who would either be trafficked or whored out. From what Grant says, Dad hated it. Fucking despised doing that shit and made it known.” Bentley continues, his words laced with disgust.

None of this makes any sense to me. “What changed his mind?”

“That would be the money. See, Dad and Ashton were so good at recruiting that the Hendersons knew unless they made them partners, Dad and Ashton would venture out on their own and take the Hendersons down.”

Money. God, the necessary evil. It changes people. I hate that Dad was so fucking weak that he changed his stance and beliefs just to live a lavish lifestyle.

“He then took to Spain to recruit new women, that’s where he saw Mum and took her. Fucking bastard,” he spits. “The man was a monster, Ray-Ray. I for one am glad that the business he built with Ashton and the Hendersons is now in fucking ashes.”

“I am too,” I reply softly. “I’m proud of you and the boys. You could have easily gone where the money was like Dad did, but you didn’t. Instead, you’ve taken measures to stop it happening.”

“Ray-Ray,” he whispers, his voice filled with emotion.

“Thank you for telling me, you’re right it answered some questions that I had. Next week, we’ll all go out for dinner.” It’s time to rebuild our family. “Have you told the boys about the baby?”

He chuckles. “Nope, I thought I’d leave that to you. Sneaky by the way, getting them all softened up with dinner and then dropping that little bomb on them.”

I giggle. “I’m hoping it’ll ease their anger. Anyway, I’m going to go. Mal’s family’s here and I don’t want to be rude. I love you, Bent, talk to you soon.”

“Love you too, Ray-Ray.”

I hit the screen to end the call and look up to see Mal standing in the doorway. His gaze focused on me, the worry shining brightly in his green eyes. “Everything okay?” he questions as he pulls me into his arms.

I tell him everything that Bentley told me. “I’m just glad that I know now.”

“I fucking hate your parents,mo stór, they’re selfish bastards.”

I sigh as I snuggle in closer to him. He’s right they are, but, Mum needs the time to recover from the trauma that she’s been living through for the past twenty-odd years.

“I hope she finds peace,” I tell him. My heart hurts for her, but also it’s filled with pain. She’s abandoned us when we need her the most.

“Have you?” he asks as he gazes down at me.

I bite my lip. How do I say this without sounding corny as hell? Ugh, fuck it. “I did, when you came back.”

He closes his eyes and rests his forehead against mine. His nose brushing along my cheek. “I fucking love you,mo stór.”

His arms tighten around me, and I press my cheek against his chest. I’m right where I belong, in his arms, safe and loved.

There’s no place in this world better than here with him.

Our relationship may have started out filled with hatred, but sometimes there’s a very thin line between love and hate and Mal and I straddled that line for a while. Now, we’re right where we want to be. Together.

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