Raptor (Fury Vipers MC: Dublin Chapter #2)

8. Mallory

Chapter 8

Mallory

" H ow are you doing?" Jess asks as we sit in the waiting area.

Today is my scan day and I've finally, finally decided to find out what the gender of my baby is. I have been thinking long and hard about what's going to happen since the call with Raptor last week. He seemed pretty adamant that he'd be here in just over three months, and if he is, I'll tell him about the baby. I'll have given birth by then.

"I'm doing okay. How about you?" I ask, reaching for her hand.

"The nightmares are still here, but I'm hoping they'll go soon."

I nod. "Me too," I whisper.

The nightmares are horrendous. The sound of Stephen beating Jarlath repeats over and over again. It's terrifying. Not to mention the fear of Fintan finding out that I was there the night his son died. Jess' dad works for Jerry Houlihan, the head of the Houlihan gang. There's no way Fintan would come for her, nor would he go after Stephen. I'm the only one who has no ties to a criminal enterprise, and that's what scares me the most.

"Where's your mam?" Jess questions, glancing around the waiting area for the fourth time since we arrived. I'm not sure if it's in search of Ma, who should be here, or if it's the fear from the night last week.

"She's running late," I tell her with a sigh. "She's been working away and was due back this morning."

Ma promised she'd be here for the scan and I had no reason to not believe her. She's been present so much throughout my pregnancy so far. I'm a little saddened that today—the day we find out the gender—is the day she's late. I'm trying my hardest not to let it get to me, nor am I going to hold it against her. Things like this happen, especially when it's out of our control, and Ma's job is out of my control. So I'm taking deep breaths and praying that she'll make it, especially as my appointment is running late too.

"She'll be here," she assures me. "Your mam knows that she deeply hurt you when you were growing up. She's not going to let you down. Have faith."

Jess continues to amaze me every day. She's been through so very much and yet she has the best and most positive outlook on everything.

"How are things between you and Stephen?" I ask, wondering if she's going to talk to me about him. Over the past week, we've checked in daily but she's not mentioned Stephen at all.

She lifts her shoulders and shrugs. "Eh, I haven't heard from him since that night. But it's okay. That's what Stephen does best. He pops up into my life, makes me feel so many things, and then disappears."

I hate that he does that. He gets her hopes up that there could be more between them and then pulls the rug from under her when he walks away without a second glance.

"What about Maverick?" I ask. Her cousin has been a lot more present lately, which I love.

"I think having him around more has Dad backing off me. It wouldn't look good if I had bruises. Maverick would instantly know what's happened."

I harrumph. "The bastard's too damn sly. He damn well knows what he's doing. I really wish Maverick would find out. He'd kill your dad and we can all be happier."

Jess shakes her head. "I love you, Mallory."

I rest my head on her shoulder. "I love you too."

The swish of the doors opening has my gaze moving toward the woman hurrying toward us. "I'm so sorry I'm late. Have you been seen yet?"

"Ma, calm down," I say as I take in her red, blotchy face and panicked expression. "The nurse is running late. You're on time."

The beaming smile she gives me makes my heart fill with love and warmth. "Thank God for that," she says, blowing out a heavy breath. "Jessica love, how are you?"

Jess gets to her feet and hugs Ma. "I'm good, Jayne, thanks."

"So what are we thinking?" Ma asks. "Boy or girl?"

"Either," I reply, laying my hand on my ever-growing bump. "Healthy."

Ma nods, pride shining in her eyes. "You're going to make an amazing ma, Mallory. I'm so very proud of you."

I shake my hand at her. "Don't you dare make me cry," I hiss as tears sting the backs of my eyes.

Jess laughs. "I have a feeling that Mal's having a boy."

Ma nods in agreement. "I do too. Either way, boy or girl, they'll be loved dearly."

I swallow hard. She's right, my baby is going to be so loved. I can't wait to meet him or her. I just hate that Raptor won't know about the baby. I don't want to tell him over the phone. It's a life changing moment and doing it when he's thousands of miles away from us isn't the best way to do it. If he's not here in fifteen weeks, then I'll tell him. Until then, I'm going to continue as things have been.

"Miss Reagan?" the nurse calls out, and I rise to my feet. "Hello, Mallory, how are you feeling?" she asks once we're in the room.

"Good; a lot more energetic than I was at the beginning of the pregnancy."

She smiles. "Are the baby's movements frequent?"

I nod. "Yep, especially first thing in the morning. I swear, one of these days I'm going to end up wetting the bed when the baby kicks my bladder."

Ma laughs. "I remember those days."

"If you can lift your top, we'll be able to get a good look at the baby."

I lie back on the bed, lifting the hem of my t-shirt over my bump and holding it there. I wince as the cold jelly hits my stomach. "Sorry," the nurse says sheepishly as she begins to scan along my belly.

The sound of my baby's heartbeat fills the air and I'm fixated on the screen, watching as my baby moves.

"He's a kicker, that's for sure," the nurse says, and I gasp at her words. She smiles brightly as she waves the wand over my boy. "Congratulations, Mallory, you're having a boy. The measurements are right on track for this stage of the pregnancy."

I'm unable to keep the smile from my face. God, I'm so damn happy. I never knew this type of happiness could exist. I'm already so in love with my son. I have no idea how that's possible, but it's true.

The nurse continues to take measurements and I turn to see Ma smiling, her eyes filled with tears as she watches her grandson on the screen. Jess has her cell out and is taking pictures, something I should have thought to do, but I'm grateful that she has done so.

"All done. As I said, everything seems to be on track. You know the drill: anything—and I mean anything at all—feels off, you come straight up to the maternity ward. Don't wait around. It's always best to be safe." She hands me some ultrasound pictures, all while smiling. I can't imagine how rewarding this job is, to let parents know about their babies. Although it must be devastating to deliver the worst news possible to expectant parents.

"Thank you so much," I say as I try to get off the bed. Ma reaches out and helps me off. "Have a wonderful day."

"You too," the nurse replies as she opens the door for us to leave.

"I knew it." Jess claps as we exit the hospital. "I knew it was a boy."

Ma laughs. "Any ideas on a name yet, Mal?"

I nod. "I've been thinking about this for a long time and I've decided on Shay."

Both Jess and Ma beam. "I love it," Ma says softly. "I think it's perfect."

"Me too," Jess whispers. "I'm so very proud of you, Mal, Your mam's right, you're going to be the best mam ever. Maverick's here now to collect me, but I'll call you tomorrow and we'll set up a coffee date?"

I pull her into my arms, holding her tight. "Definitely," I promise her.

We walk her to Maverick's car and watch as they drive away. I'm glad she has Maverick to protect her now. I feel a little better about her leaving these days. I just pray that she's going to find a way to escape.

"We're going shopping," Ma tells me as she links her arm through mine. "We've got things to purchase before the little man arrives."

I laugh. She's so giddy and I love that.

I glance at the car behind us. It's been on our tail for at least forty minutes and it's making me paranoid. I see the northern registration on the car and begin to breathe deeply. It can't be. Can it?

"Mallory, what's wrong?" Ma asks as we stop at a traffic light. "Sweetie, what's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Ma, is that one of the O'Learys behind us?" I ask, my voice shaking. I have a tight grip on the door handle.

Ma looks in the rearview mirror, her eyes squinting as she concentrates. "Yes, that's Micah. Why?"

My entire body begins to tremble and I feel as though I'm about to throw up. God, this can't be happening.

"Mallory, sweetie, I need you to tell me what's happened."

Before I'm able to speak, the car behind us moves to the left of us. He's right by my window, a sinister grin on his face. I watch in horror as he slowly runs his thumb along his throat. It's a clear threat. God, he's going to kill me.

Ma drives off, running the red light. "Ma," I cry.

"No," she says, her voice hard. "That man has just threatened you. How do you know him?"

I'm still trembling. God, I didn't want this to happen. I had hoped it wouldn't, but it has.

I tell Ma everything that happened last week. Everything that's happened to Jess spews out of me like word vomit. I just can't keep it in.

"Why didn't you tell me any of this? God, poor Jess. How the hell was that man allowed to hurt her?"

"You can't tell anyone, Ma. Please," I urge her, knowing how hurt Jess would be knowing it was me who spilled my guts.

"I won't, but if anything else happens to her, I won't keep quiet. Do you understand?"

I nod, grateful she's given me that. "What about Micah?"

Her lips twist into a snarl. "We can't stay at the house any longer, Mal. He'll know where we live. I won't take any chances right now. The moment we're home, we have thirty minutes. Grab whatever you need, anything important, and then we're leaving. Do you understand?"

I nod, confused by how direct she's being. It's almost as though she's been waiting for something like this to happen.

"Sweetie, your father was part of the Kelly’s organization. I've always wondered if something could happen to us. I've always had an exit strategy. Everyone needs one."

I'm in shock. Confused and hurt. She's never said that about my dad before.

"He was a bastard," she hisses. "He was close to Sean Kelly Senior, love, and he was cheating with any woman who gave him the time of day."

I shake my head. "Why didn't you tell me?"

She reaches across and grabs my hand. "I didn't want you to hate him as I had done."

"Where is he?" I ask, wondering if he's close by.

"I don't know. I lost track of him when you were eight. I haven't heard from him since then."

"He could be dead then?"

She's silent, and I know that means yes.

"Where will we go?" I ask, wondering if we're leaving Dublin.

"Let me worry about that. You focus on you and Shay. I have everything else under control."

I nod, grateful she's here. I'm not sure what would have happened if she weren't.

God, I'm terrified. Micah isn't going to stop. He's out for blood. I just pray that he doesn't get it.