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clodagh

I’m nervous. My hands are shaking as I watch Emmanuel and the other men walk toward the office.

“Oh, Clodagh,” I hear Lisa say as she runs toward me and pulls me into a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here. I didn’t think you were coming home for Christmas.” She pulls back, her brows knitted together. “Wait, you’re here with Emmanuel?”

I sigh. I knew this was going to come out today. I need to get it over and done with, like ripping off a bandaid.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for Lisa's reaction. "Lisa, there's something I need to tell you. Emmanuel and I... we're together. We have been for almost three years now."

Lisa's eyes widen in shock. "What? Three years? How... Why didn't you tell me?"

I can see the hurt in her eyes and it breaks my heart. "I'm so sorry, Lisa. I wanted to tell you, but at first I was scared. Scared of what you'd think, scared it wouldn't last. And then as time went on, it just got harder to find the right moment."

Lisa shakes her head, taking a step back. "I can't believe this. My best friend and you've been lying to me for years."

"I know, and I'm so sorry," I say, my voice cracking. "I never meant to hurt you. You're my best friend, Lisa. I should have told you sooner."

Lisa's quiet for a long moment, and I can see her processing the information. Finally, she speaks again. "Is there anything else I should know?"

I hesitate, my hand instinctively going to my stomach. "Actually, yes. I'm pregnant. And... Emmanuel and I are engaged."

Lisa's jaw drops. "Pregnant? Engaged? Oh my God, Clodagh."

I can see a mixture of emotions playing across her face—hurt, anger, but also a glimmer of excitement.

"I know it's a lot to take in," I say softly. "And I understand if you're angry with me. But I hope you can forgive me. I need my best friend, now more than ever."

Lisa sighs heavily, running a hand through her hair. "I am angry, Clodagh. And hurt. But... you're my best friend. And I love you. It's going to take some time, but we'll work through this."

Relief washes over me and I pull her into a hug. "Thank you, Lisa. I love you too. I haven’t told Tammy about the baby yet. I only found out yesterday.”

Her arms tighten around me. “And everything’s okay, yeah?”

I nod. “Yeah. I’m twelve weeks. I still don’t know how I didn’t realize I was pregnant — but I am.

And I’m happy.” I pause, glancing down. “I’m sorry I never told you about me and Emmanuel.

After everything that happened… after how hurt you were when he left me…

I didn’t want to put you in the middle. I didn’t want to make you feel like you had to choose. ”

I hear her sharp intake of breath. “Clo,” she whispers. “That would never have happened. Just like how happy you were for me and Maverick, I’d have been the same for you and Emmanuel. I’m sorry you thought that. I hate that you felt like you couldn’t tell me. No more secrets, okay?”

I nod, glad she knows everything. It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

As we pull apart, Lisa's expression turns serious. "Now, can someone please tell me what the hell is going on? Why are we all here?"

I shake my head. "I don't know all the details. Emmanuel just said he remembered something important about what happened to Ava."

Jess smiles at me as she comes to stand beside us. “I don’t know anything. Stephen tends to keep me shielded from anything to do with his job.”

Emmanuel does the same, and I love him even more for it.

Just then, the men file back into the room, their faces grim. Emmanuel comes straight to me, wrapping an arm around my waist, holding me close. I rest against him, seeking the comfort his arms offer me.

"We need to talk," Jer says, addressing everyone in the room. "There's something you all need to know."

I tense. God, what happened now?

“The Fury Vipers have lost a member,” Jer begins. “Hustler was just eighteen and he was killed this morning. As much as you may not like it, we’re closing ranks. Which means, until this shit is over, this’ll become your new home.”

I begin to tremble. God, what the hell is going on? Emmanuel’s arms tighten around me and he holds me close. My throat begins to close as tears sting the backs of my eyes. I’m terrified, absolutely frightened of what’s to come.

“We have an idea about who is doing this and within hours we’ll figure it all out. This stay is only temporary.”

But even as the words come out of Jerry’s mouth, I don’t believe them. There’s just something about this situation that has me on edge, and I think it’s because Emmanuel is on edge and I’m feeding off of that.

“You do not leave this house without an escort. I’m well aware that each and every one of you ladies are more than capable of taking care of yourselves, but for our sanity, if you need to go somewhere, there will be guards with you.”

I glance at the clock on the wall. We’ve been here for around an hour already and my anxiety is at an all time high.

I don’t think I’ll be able to calm down until whoever it is that’s killing people is found.

I’m scared about what could happen to Emmanuel, worried he could be on this person's hit list. I can't lose him.

"Come on," Emmanuel says once Jer's finished talking, “let's get you upstairs. I'll swing by our apartment later and grab clothes."

I turn to face him, my body trembling. "No," I whisper. He can't go alone.

Emmanuel's eyes soften as he looks at me. "Baby, I'll be fine. I promise. I'll have Maverick with me."

I shake my head, gripping his shirt tightly. "Please, I can't lose you."

He cups my face in his hands, pressing his forehead to mine. "You're not going to lose me, Clodagh. I swear it. But I need to know you're safe here while I take care of this."

Tears spill down my cheeks. "I'm scared, Emmanuel. What if something happens to you?"

"Nothing's going to happen to me," he says firmly. "I'm coming back to you and our baby. Always."

I take a shaky breath, trying to calm myself. "Okay. But please, be careful."

Emmanuel kisses me softly. "I will. I love you, Clodagh."

"I love you too," I whisper.

As Emmanuel heads out with Maverick, I feel Lisa's arm wrap around my shoulders. "Come on," she says gently. "Let's get you settled upstairs. You need to rest."

I nod, allowing her to guide me up to one of the guest rooms. As we enter, Lisa sits me down on the bed.

"Alright, spill," she says, her tone gentle but firm. "Tell me everything about you and Emmanuel."

So I do. I tell her how it started, how we kept it secret at first because we weren't sure where it was going. How it grew into something real and deep. How he proposed three months ago.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," I finish, wiping away tears. "I was just... scared, I guess. Of ruining what we had."

Lisa sighs, pulling me into a hug. "I get it. I don't like it, but I get it. Just promise me—no more secrets, okay?"

I nod against her shoulder. "I promise."

We spend the next hour talking, catching up on everything I've missed in her life too. It feels good, like old times. But there's still that undercurrent of fear, wondering what's happening out there, if Emmanuel is safe.

When Lisa leaves to check on Maverick, I curl up on the bed, my hand resting on my stomach. There’s just so much uncertainty, so much fear, and we’re bringing a baby into this world. It’s scary.

I close my eyes and pray that everything will work out for the best. I know Emmanuel won’t let anything happen to us. He never has. He’s always been my protector.

* * *

I wake up, trying to focus on my surroundings. It doesn’t take long for me to realize I’m not in our room, and then everything that’s happened comes rushing back.

I hear voices downstairs, but I’m in no mood to socialize right now.

I just feel so utterly lost. I thought when Jacob died that my life was going to change for the better.

I thought the fear that clung to me would be gone, the one that was so deeply ingrained in me that it ran through my veins had left.

But I was so wrong, and now there’s a crazed fucker hunting us down, hunting those I hold close down, and I’m terrified I’ll lose them.

I slide out of bed and move toward the bathroom. I need a shower. The water and steam will help calm me for a while. I step into the huge shower and let the water cascade down my body. As the spray thumps against my shoulder blades, I breathe in deeply.

I hear the door open and I smile, my entire body sagging with relief. Emmanuel’s home. Arms slide around my waist and I lean back against him, loving that he’s here.

He spins me around, pressing me firmly against the cool, tiled shower wall.

His lips find the sensitive skin of my neck, leaving a trail of heat with each kiss.

As I slide my hand down, I encounter his cock, thick and ready.

I wrap my fingers around his thick length and begin to move, feeling the ripple of his cock as I jerk him off, while he continues to rain kisses along my neck.

It doesn’t take long until he’s lifting me in the air and slamming his cock deep inside of me. God, I love that he always wants me, that he takes me any way he wants. I know I’m safe in his arms, that no matter what, I’ll always be happy and fulfilled.

Emmanuel's thrusts are deep and powerful, driving me higher with each stroke. I cling to his shoulders, my legs wrapped tightly around his waist as he pounds into me. The hot water cascades over us, adding to the sensual atmosphere.

"God, I missed you," I gasp, arching my back as he hits that perfect spot inside me.

Emmanuel growls, his grip on my hips tightening. "I always miss you when I'm not inside you, baby."

His words send a shiver down my spine. I love how he makes me feel—wanted, desired, cherished. Even in the midst of all this chaos and fear, he grounds me, reminds me of what's important.

I can feel my orgasm building, that familiar tension coiling in my lower belly. Emmanuel must sense it too because he increases his pace, his thrusts becoming more urgent.

"Come for me, Clodagh," he demands, his voice rough with desire. "Let me feel you."

His words push me over the edge and I cry out as waves of pleasure crash over me. Emmanuel follows soon after, groaning my name as he comes deep inside of me.

We stay like that for a moment, both panting heavily, our bodies still joined. Eventually, Emmanuel lowers me gently to my feet, keeping his arms around me to steady me.

"I love you," I murmur, pressing a soft kiss to his chest.

"I love you too, baby," he replies, tilting my chin up to kiss me deeply. "You and our little one."

As we finish our shower and get dressed, I can't help but ask, "Did you find anything out? About who's doing this?"

Emmanuel's expression darkens slightly. "We have some leads but nothing concrete yet. Don't worry, we'll figure this out."

I nod, trying to push down my fear. "I trust you. Just... be careful, okay? I need you. We need you," I add, placing a hand on my stomach.

He pulls me close, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I promise, baby. I'm not going anywhere. Now, let's go get some food in you. You need to keep your strength up."

As we head downstairs, I feel a little lighter. No matter what happens, I know Emmanuel will do everything in his power to keep us safe. And for now, that has to be enough.