Raptor (Fury Vipers MC: Dublin Chapter #2)

6. Mallory

Chapter 6

Mallory

" M allory," Ma says with a sigh, "you can't stay cooped up inside until you give birth."

Raising the remote, I flick through the channels on the TV, trying to find something I can watch. "Ma, I love you, but I'm not ready to go out."

I feel the sofa dip as she takes a seat beside me; the same sofa that months ago, Raptor fucked me on. My heart races whenever I think about being with him. I miss him. God, I miss him so very much. Not being able to speak to him hurts, and I know I've hurt him by cutting him out of my life. But I had to. I don't want him to think I'm trying to trap him or upend his life.

"Mallory, sweetie, you need to live your life. Why don't you call Jess and see if she's up to going out for lunch? It was her birthday last week, Mal. She hasn't celebrated it," she says with a disapproving tone.

"I know, but you know what her dad's like, Ma," I say softly, hating the shit my best friend has been through. She's been through hell and back and it doesn't seem to have an expiration date. I wish I could take her away from the pain she feels and give her solace, but her dad is a bastard and the threats he's given her are real. There's no way he'd let her go.

"So call her, sweetie; see if she's free."

I sit up, throwing the remote control between Ma and I. "Okay," I say softly as I reach for my cell. "Are you away this weekend?"

She nods. "Unfortunately I am. My flight leaves in five hours, so if you and Jess are going to meet up, let me know and I'll drop you off. I'll leave some money on the side in case you need it."

Disappointment hits me, but I know she has to work. I just wish it didn't take her away. But I'm an adult now and I shouldn't need my mam to hold my hand.

"Listen to me, baby," she says as she kneels in front of me. "I have two months left of traveling, and even with that it's pulled back to once, maybe twice a month. I'm going to be around more, I promise you."

I nod. "I know, and I really appreciate that."

She nods, pressing a kiss to my forehead as she gets to her feet. "Call Jess."

I hit dial on Jess' number and wait as I listen to the ringing.

"Hey, Mal, how are you?" The happiness in her voice has my heart constricting. Damn, I really should spend more time with my friends. I've neglected everyone since I got pregnant. I don't spend enough time with Jess anymore.

"Hey, girl, I'm good. What are you doing today?"

She pauses, and I hear her father talking in the background. "Ma," I say softly, catching her attention before she leaves the room. "Will you speak to Thomas and ask if Jess can stay here?"

Ma doesn't even hesitate. "Of course. If you need me to, I will."

"Thanks." I give her a big grin. "Did you hear that?" I ask Jess.

"I did, and Dad's said yes." She sounds as shocked as I feel. "Is your mam okay to collect me?"

"Absolutely," I reply, watching Ma do a little jig in the corner. "How long do you need?"

Jess laughs. "Ten minutes."

I grin. "We'll be there. I'll text you when we're outside," I promise her.

"Excellent. Thanks, Mal. You're the best. See you soon."

The call ends and Ma’s already got her car keys in hand. "Come on, Mal, we'll get you in the car and get Jess."

I smile. My mam is the best. Even though she hasn’t really been around, she'll always do whatever it takes to keep me safe, and Jess too. I know I should have told her what has been happening to Jess, she'd have done everything in her power to stop it. But I have to respect Jess' wishes and I regret doing that so much. I wish she can find peace and I know that will only happen if Thomas Grace dies, so I pray for that every single day of my life.

"What's the plan?" I ask. We're currently sitting in a coffee shop. It's been too long since we've hung out and had time for the two of us.

Her father rarely allows her to be with anyone other than me, and with me being so preoccupied with the baby, it's been a rough six months. I wish I was able to be there for her when things are tough.

"I don't know," she replies, reaching for her coffee.

"You didn't get to enjoy your eighteenth like Chloe and I did." I sigh. She was supposed to. Ma even offered to pay for her ticket, as did Chloe's parents, but Thomas put his foot down. The fucking prick was no doubt scared his daughter wouldn't return home if she left to go on a vacation.

"Why don't you go out tonight, let loose and have fun? Your dad isn't in town. You can lie and say you're staying at my house. You'll have so much fun," I say with a grin "Please, Jess. You've been through so much and you never get the chance to let loose and have fun, to be a teenager. You're eighteen now, and I know you're scared of what your father will do, but you have to live once in a while."

When we picked Jess up, she told us her dad is going out of town and that's why he let her stay with us. Either way, I'm glad she's here with me now.

"Earth to Jess." I laugh as I wave my hand in front of her face. She's no doubt daydreaming about Stephen, the guy who's been on her mind since she was fourteen. "Are you listening to me?"

She shakes her head, giving me a soft smile. "Sorry, miles away," she says. "But I think you're right. I should go out and have fun."

My heart gallops at her words, and I can't contain how big my smile is. "Yes," I say a little too loudly. "I'm so proud of you. I have the perfect thing for you to wear."

Jess' back is bad. The scars she has are awful. I should know; I was the one who patched her up and helped her heal from the burns her father gave her.

"Okay. I can't wait to see it," she says, but I see the fear in her eyes. I hate that she's worried, but tonight is all about her and we're going to have the best fun ever.

"I'm so damn proud of you. It's going to be an amazing night," I promise her. I'll do whatever it takes to ensure it is.

I'm waddling through the crowd of people. It's late and I'm tired, but Jess has had the best night ever and I'm not going to be the one to cut it short. I've never seen her so comfortable and at peace before. She let her hair down and had an amazing time. She's buzzed after drinking a few Cosmopolitans. I made sure to not let her get too drunk; just have enough drinks so that she feels the buzz without getting messy.

When I manage to make it outside, the cool air hits me, making me wish I had brought a jacket. I glance around for Jess, knowing she came out here to get some fresh air.

"The fuck are you doing here?" I hear a deep, gravelly voice say.

I turn and see a tall, dark-haired guy towering over Jess. My girl doesn't look scared, and that's because the guy is the dick who’s been following her since she was fourteen. Stephen Maguire is a crazy son of a bitch, yet where Jess is concerned it seems as though he has a soft spot. Though looking at the anger in his eyes right now, I'm wondering how true that is.

"Well, it's nice to see you too," Jess retorts, and not that pleasantly.

I grin, proud as hell that my girl is giving as good as she gets. I love that she's not scared around him like she is her father.

"Little Dancer, answer the question. What are you doing here?" he snarls at her.

As much as I feel I should move toward them, I don't. Jess likes Stephen and tonight it's about her. I don't want to get in the way of them.

"I'm having fun. Don't worry, I'm going home now," she tells him with a snap.

The muscle in his cheek twitches. "Who the fuck are you with?"

"My friend. She's in the bathroom," she sighs. "What is your problem?" she asks. "Why are you such an asshole?"

I love that she's not afraid to speak her mind.

"Jessica," he grinds out. "I'm always a fucking asshole. That's never going to change. But why the fuck is your da letting you leave the house looking like that?"

Oh hell fucking no! My girl looks beautiful, and I'll be damned if he makes her feel bad about herself. She's wearing a black jumpsuit and it fits her like a glove, showcasing her curves.

"My dad's not here," Jess replies, unable to keep the hurt from her voice. "You can go, Stephen. I'll be leaving any moment."

That's my cue. I move hurriedly toward them—well, as much as I can in heels at six months pregnant. "Are you ready?" I ask, standing beside her. "Or do you need more time?"

"Not at all," Jess says without looking at the dick who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. "Let's go." She links her arm through mine.

She's caught up in her own mind as we walk away from Stephen. She's upset. I know she is. And it's taking everything in her not to cry. I'm trying to keep my anger in check. The last thing Jess needs is for me to lose my shit and give Stephen a piece of my mind. That asshole hurt her with his words and I hate him for doing that.

The streetlights darken and I realize we're away from the busy bars and are walking through a residential area, where a streetlight or two are out.

"Damn," I hear a low growl.

My heart starts to race as I glance at the man who's stepping out of the shadows. He's tall and built like a brick. Fuck... I tighten my arm around Jess. Every scenario is running through my head. What does this man want?

"Where do you think you're going?" the man says as he steps further into the light. Jess and I try to keep on walking. "Hmm? I want to have some fun."

"How about you fuck off before I make you?" I hear the low, growling sound from behind me and quickly glance back to see Stephen striding toward us. I've never seen someone look so frightening before. He looks menacing. "The fuck are you doing here, O'Leary?"

O'Leary? Christ, I didn't think they were in Dublin. From what I heard they were up north, living out of Belfast.

"Well, look who it is. Stephen Maguire, as I live and breathe. What you saying, boss? Do we have a problem?" O'Leary says as he edges closer to Jess and I.

"We'll have more than a problem if you don't leave her alone," Stephen replies, his tone cold and calculating. It's filled with so much anger that Jess flinches.

"Does she mean something to you?" O'Leary asks. "She yours?" he questions as he edges even closer to us. My stomach drops when he reaches out and touches Jess' face.

The next few moments happen in a blur. Stephen rushes forward and starts to punch the guy. "I fucking warned you," Stephen snarls. "Fucking told you to leave her alone."

The sound of flesh hitting flesh has tears falling from my eyes. I'm transfixed as I stare at the scene in front of me. Over and over again Stephen continues to beat the man. My hands instinctively go to my bump as I silently cry. I should help Jess. I should shield her from this. But I'm unable to move. I'm frozen in my spot. She's been through so very much already. Her life has been marred by violence, so this is the last thing she needs. She's stock still in my arms, and I hate that she's in a trance, no doubt regressing into a place she goes when her father lashes out.

Stephen's on top of the man, his fists pounding his face. It's relentless.

"Stop," I shriek as I realize the man isn't moving any longer. "God, will you stop it. Please," I cry, unable to keep the fear from my voice. I'm shaking, absolutely terrified of what's going to happen next.

Thankfully, Stephen listens to my words and stops. My stomach rolls when he stands and I see his fists are covered in blood. God, how deranged must you be to do that—to kill a man with your bare hands in mere minutes?

He glares at Jess and I. "The fuck were you both playing at?" he snarls. "Anything could have happened to either of you."

His words make my anger rise swiftly through my body. How fucking dare he blame this on me and Jess. I want to scream at him; rage that it's his fault, not ours, but I know that won't do anyone any favors. "He's dead," I say softly. "You've killed him."

Stephen shrugs. "Not the first," he says. "He should have listened when I told him to leave Jessica alone."

"Why?" I hiss. God, this man infuriates me like no other. "It's not like Jess is yours. You've made it perfectly clear that she's no one to you. So why are you being such a fucking asshole?" I cry, pissed that he's done this. "Actually, don't answer that. We all know you're crazy as hell. But why don't you just leave Jess alone?"

"Not happening," Stephen growls. "Not fucking happening."

God, he's so fucking annoying. He won't leave her alone but he doesn't want her either. What the hell is wrong with him?

"Come on, Jess," I urge softly. "Let's go home. You're freezing."

"I'll take you," Stephen says thickly. "No fucking arguing. You both need to go home and it's not safe out here."

"I'll call Maverick," Jess says. They’re the first words she's spoken since this shit went down. "Besides, you need to sort that out," she tells him, waving her hand in the direction of O'Leary's lifeless body.

"I'll do it," he says, pulling his cell from his pocket and calling his friend Maverick, who is also Jess’ cousin.

While he's doing that, I pull Jess into my arms, holding her close. "I'm sorry," I whisper. "I hate that you had to see that. I know it hurts, but you're going to be fine. I promise you, he's not going to hurt you."

She doesn't answer me but she doesn't move from my embrace either. I just want to go home. God, I want to get the fuck out of here and go home where it's safe. I want to talk to Raptor. I need to hear his voice.

I'm terrified there will be retaliation.

I'm so fucking scared that the other O'Learys will come for me, for my baby.

God, what happens next?