Raptor (Fury Vipers MC: Dublin Chapter #2)

17. Mallory

Chapter 17

Mallory

I 've thought about this day for a long time and I always wondered what would happen. Shane has been beyond amazing. I thought he'd hate me, despise me for keeping his son from him. Instead, he's helped me and been so damn sweet. I don't know how the hell I got so lucky, but I'm so glad he gave me a chance to explain everything. I know my decision was selfish and I'll always regret it. I'm just very grateful that Shane hasn't pushed me aside. Instead, he's made it clear that he wants me, wants Shay. That's more than I could have ever thought possible.

"Where am I puttin' him, babe?" he asks as we walk into the house. Shay's babbling away to himself as he looks up at Shane. He's absolutely besotted with his da. I'm so happy they're together.

"I need to change him first," I say as I reach for the changing bag Ma left beside the door. No doubt she was in a rush when she left today when Denis called her. I know she was scared. She hates whenever I leave the house as she's scared what'll happen to me. We've been dealing with Micah's beatings together and she's seen what he's done to me each and every time he shows up. She's frightened that one day he'll kill me. We both are.

“You point me in the right direction and I'll do it. You need to rest," he tells me.

My heart warms at his words. God, I really did luck out with him.

I hand him the changing bag and tell him there's a changing table in the nursery. A place I haven't used much yet as I wasn't planning on moving him from my room until he was six months old. That's what my midwife told me was the best time, at least six months old. I love having him beside me and I feel a comfort knowing he's safe in his crib next to my bed.

While he's upstairs, I quickly make Shay a bottle. He'll be hungry any minute. My boy's like clockwork.

I sink down on the sofa. I'm in so much pain, but I can't take any pain medication. I need to be alert in case Micah breaks in. He hasn't broken into our house since the night I came home from the hospital with Shay, but that doesn't mean he won't ever do that. I need to be level-headed and have a clear mind to ensure that if something happens, I'm ready for it. Beside my bed I have a baseball bat, not to mention a knife under my pillow. If he turns up, I'm ready to protect my mam and son with everything that I am.

I can hear Shane talking to Shay and it brings a smile to my face. Shay will grow up with his father at his side, and it's what should have been from the get-go.

"There's mommy," he says a while later as he comes to sit down beside me. "You doin' okay, babe?"

I nod. "Yeah, just tired." I hand him the bottle as Shay starts to fuss.

His gaze is unwavering as he studies me. "You not been sleepin'?" he asks and settles Shay into his arm to feed him. He's a natural. I know from what Chloe has told me that Shane's brothers have a slew of kids, and it's pretty clear he's a good uncle to them.

"Not really. I guess I'm used to it. When Micah does his shit, I tend to sleep for a bit. My body needs it. When that happens, Ma doesn't sleep."

"That shit's goin' to stop. You need sleep, Mallory."

"It's been hard," I whisper. "I'm terrified to sleep in case Micah breaks in. When he came that night Shay was home from the hospital, I was asleep, Shane. I didn’t hear him come into the room. I woke up to him standing over me. He was so close to Shay. I was terrified. I thought he was going to kill us that night."

"What did he do to you?" he asks me.

I hate talking about it but I know he deserves the truth. I tell him everything that happened that night and since then. How he always finds me when I'm alone, whether I'm shopping or getting dinner. He'll always toy with me, hurt me, and leave me to pick up the broken pieces. I've had multiple broken bones from him. It's been hard to recover from what he's put me through. What he's put my family through. I'm not sure it's something we'll ever fully recover from. The first few months of your baby's life are meant to be precious. Shay's have been tainted with fear, pain, and brutality, thankfully not directed at him. I don't think I could live with myself if something happened to him.

"Darlin'," Shane says thickly. "Fuck, babe, how the fuck are you alive?"

I turn away as tears sting my eyes. I've been asking myself the same question for months. "He's not finished with me yet."

"He's not fuckin' gettin' you again. I promise you, Mallory, he's not goin' to fuckin' hurt you again."

His words are filled with determination and promise. I'm unable to hold back. I sob hard. I've always felt safe with Shane. Ever since the moment I saw him, I've felt so much protection and comfort. Having him here when things are the hardest they've ever been has given me so much comfort. I can't stop the tears that are falling. God, over the past three months all I have felt is pain and fear. Ma has tried her hardest to be my rock, and she has been, but having Shane here, it just makes me believe that this could all be finally over.

"I'm not leavin' your side. Not until that fuckin' bastard is found."

"You can't," I say. "You've got the club to think about."

He shakes his head. "You and Shay are my priority. If I'm needed, you'll both come to the clubhouse. It's safe there."

I tense. I'm not sure if I want to go back to the clubhouse. While Wrath was lovely, as well as Connor—someone I've known for a while—the rest of the brothers looked at me as though I was a bitch. I don't blame them, but I won't subject my son to be around that. "I'll get the paternity test done," I tell him. "I don't want there to be any questions."

"All anyone has to do is look at him, Mal," he says pointedly. "I know he's mine. I don't need a fuckin' test to tell me that."

"You don't," I tell him. "But there are always going to be people who wonder."

"Let them," he snarls. "Fuck them."

"Shane, these men are your brothers. You said it yourself that Pyro is your best friend."

He shakes his head, those dark eyes filling with rage. "It should never have been said."

"You can't blame them," I implore. "Especially after what happened with Preacher. They care about you and don't want to see you get hurt."

"By him questionin' Shay's paternity, they're insinuatin' that you're a fuckin' whore, and I'm not down with that. Brother or not, that shit ain't washin' with me." He's got so much anger in his voice. I hate that he's upset by the question. I'm not mad; hurt, yes, but I understand why there would be doubt.

"Please," I whisper. "Don't be angry about them caring for you. Let's just take the test and get it over and done with."

He shakes his head. "No. I don't need it done."

"I do," I tell him. "If we don't, I'm going to be judged even more than I already am. They think so little of me already that not getting it done will just make matters worse. Not to mention how it'll affect Shay growing up."

He's silent for a beat. "Fuck! Fine, we'll set it up, but this is for you and Shay. I don't give a fuck what anyone else thinks."

"You're amazing, you know that?" I ask, needing him to understand just how much I value him. He's one of the best men I know, probably the best. "Our son is lucky to have you as his da."

"Darlin', it's been too fuckin' long since I've fucked you. Our boy is wide awake and you're injured so I can’t take you. Don't say shit like that or I'll forget that I'm a gentleman."

I laugh. "From what I remember, when it gets down to it, you're anything but."

Being around Shane is so fucking easy. I'm so comfortable around him that I don't need to worry about anything.

"The moment you're healed, darlin', I'm fuckin' you 'til you scream my name."

Shivers run through my body at his delicious threat. God, I can't wait for that day.

"Now, before you go and get any ideas, you need to sleep. I've got Shay. He's safe with me. You both are. I won't let anythin' happen to either of you."

A yawn escapes me, and I know he's right. I need to sleep but I'm not sure if I'll be able to. "Come on," he says. "Up to bed."

I do as he says, knowing that if I protest, it won’t work. Once I'm lying in bed, I reach for my phone that's currently charging and quickly send a text to Ma, letting her know I'm safe and Shane's with me.

Ma: I'm with Nicola and Eric. They're letting me stay with them this evening. I'll be home tomorrow. I hope you and Raptor have managed to speak. I love you, Mallory. Be safe.

Me: Love you too, Ma. Have the best night. x

It doesn't take me long to drift off to sleep. I know Shay's safe. He's with his da. And I'm safe too. My family is alive and well, and that's all that matters.