Page 36

THIRTY-TWO

clodagh

SIX WEEKS LATER

I stare out the window of our bedroom at Jer's house, watching the rain drizzle down the glass. It's been six long weeks since Ava's death, and we're still no closer to finding out who's behind it all. The tension in the house is palpable—everyone's on edge, waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Emmanuel has been working tirelessly with the others, following every lead, no matter how small. But so far, nothing has panned out. I can see the toll it's taking on him—the dark circles under his eyes, the tightness in his jaw. He tries to hide it from me, but I know him too well.

My hand drifts to my growing belly. At 18 weeks, there's a definite bump now. Despite everything, I can't help but smile when I think about our baby. We had our ultrasound last week, and hearing that little heartbeat was magical. For a moment, all the fear and worry melted away. We’re having a boy, and I’m beyond happy that our baby boy is doing well.

I can’t wait to meet him. I really wish all this shit will be over and done with before he comes.

A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. "Come in," I call out.

Lisa pokes her head in, a small smile on her face. "Hey, you up for some company?"

I nod, patting the spot next to me on the window seat. Lisa joins me, pulling her legs up under her.

"How are you feeling?" she asks, her eyes drifting to my bump.

"Physically? Fine. Emotionally? That's a whole other story," I admit with a sigh.

Lisa reaches out and squeezes my hand. "I know. This whole situation is just... it's fucked up, Clo."

I nod in agreement. "Have you heard anything new?"

She shakes her head. "Nothing. Maverick's been gone since dawn, following up on some lead with Emmanuel and Stephen. But from the look on his face when he left, I don't think he's very hopeful."

We sit in silence for a moment, both lost in our own thoughts.

"I'm scared, Lisa," I whisper finally. "Not just for me or for the baby, but for all of us. Whoever is doing this... they're not going to stop, are they?"

Lisa wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. "Hey, no. Don't think like that. Our guys are the best at what they do. They'll figure this out."

I nod, trying to believe her words. But the fear that's been my constant companion these past weeks isn't so easily dismissed.

"Have you thought about names yet?" Lisa asks, clearly trying to change the subject to something happier.

I can't help but smile. "A few. Emmanuel's partial to Liam for a boy."

Lisa grins. "I like Liam. What about you? Have you thought of any?”

I smile, thinking about the names I've been considering. "I really like Aiden. It means 'fiery' in Irish. Seems fitting given everything we've been through."

Lisa nods approvingly. "Aiden is a great name. Either one will be great."

"We haven't settled on anything yet," I add. "But it's nice to think about something positive for a change."

Just then, we hear the front door open downstairs. Lisa and I exchange a glance before hurrying out of the room. As we reach the bottom of the stairs, I see Emmanuel, Maverick, and Stephen entering. Their faces are grim, and my heart sinks.

"What happened?" I ask, moving to Emmanuel's side. He wraps an arm around me, pulling me close.

"Dead end," he says tersely. "The lead didn't pan out."

I can see the frustration and anger simmering just beneath the surface. I wish there was something I could do or say to make this better, but I know there isn't.

"We'll figure this out," Maverick says, his voice hard. "Whatever it takes."

As the men move into the living room to discuss their next move, Lisa and I exchange worried glances. The tension in the house ratchets up another notch, and I can't help but wonder how much more of this we can take before something breaks.

I follow Emmanuel into the living room, needing to be close to him. As I settle beside him on the couch, he takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. It's a small gesture but it helps ground me.

"What's our next move?" I hear Stephen ask.

Jer, who's been pacing the room, stops and turns to face the group. "We need to change our approach. We've been reactive, waiting for them to make a move. It's time we go on the offensive."

Before anyone can reply to him, Henry, Denis, Danny, and Malcolm Gallagher enter the house, Denis carrying a briefcase. "We've got a problem," Denis says, rage billowing in his eyes.

"What now?" Stephen bites out.

Denis lays the briefcase on the table and flicks it open. Lying inside are bullets.

“Tell me you’re fucking joking,” I hear Emmanuel growl as his body tenses.

“Where did you get this?” Maverick hisses. “Why the fuck is Lisa’s name on one of them?”

I take a closer look and my heart races as I realize just why they’re angry. The bullets are lined up in a row, and each one has a name.

Callie, Melissa, Raylee, Jessica, Lisa, Clodagh, and Alastríona. There’s an empty space which means a bullet is missing. My stomach flips as I realize it’s where Ava’s name should be.

“Someone had better start explaining,” Emmanuel snaps as he gets to his feet and starts to pace.

“This was left at Ava’s grave. I called Pyro; he checked and they found one lying on Hustler’s grave.

That one had every single old ladies’ name that belongs to the Fury Vipers MC.

Then I called Makenna, and they checked Stefan’s grave.

There’s one there too. Again, all the women’s names on the bullets. ”

I bite my lip to stop the whimper from escaping me. There are tears stinging my eyes. God, what is happening? The sofa dips and two hands grip mine. Jessica on one side and Lisa on the other.

“Fuck,” Stephen shouts. “Tell me we know who the fuck is doing this?”

Henry Gallagher steps forward. “Makenna has cameras on the graveyard where Stefan was buried and we have the same on the graveyard where Ava is buried. But, gentlemen, there’s more.”

I squeeze the girls’ hands. Of course there’s more.

“Portia found one on Kelvin’s grave, as did the Marianos on their mother’s grave. Whoever is doing this, they’ve been doing it for a while. From what we believe, Kelvin Acaster was their first victim.”

I have no idea who these people are, but judging by the looks on everyone’s faces, Henry’s revelation is huge.

The men start talking about logistics and what to do next, but my mind is wrapped around the bullets lying in front of me. One with my name, and the two girls who are like sisters to me.

“Who’s Alastríona?” I ask. I know all the other names except for that one. Callie is Denis’ wife, Melissa is Danny’s, Raylee is Malcolm’s, Jessica is Stephen’s, Lisa and I are with Maverick and Emmanuel, and the empty space belongs to Ava, who was Freddie’s. But who does Alastríona belong to?

Henry turns his bright blue eyes to me. “You, my dear, are very inquisitive. No one has asked that question in the hour since we have found the briefcase.”

I feel my cheeks flush at his words.

“Alastríona Gallagher Grey is my granddaughter,” he tells me.

“Want to say that again?” Denis growls, his eyes wide as he takes in his grandfather. He’s looking at him like he’s never seen him before.

“Killian,” he begins. “My son was part of the IRA. His daughter is Alastríona. Her ma, Catherine, didn't want Alastríona in harm’s way, so Cat and Killian decided to keep Alastríona safe and hid her. She’s been living in Northern Ireland her entire life.”

The room falls silent as everyone processes this new information. I can see the shock on Denis' face as he learns about a cousin he never knew existed.

"How old is she?" Denis asks, his voice hoarse.

"Eighteen," Henry replies. "She's been living under an assumed name, working in a bar in Belfast."

"And now she's a target," Maverick says grimly. "We need to get her somewhere safe, immediately."

Henry nods. "I've already sent someone to retrieve her. Freddie should be arriving within the next few hours."

“Freddie?” Jer repeats.

Henry nods. “Yes. I called him once I found out about the bullets. He was in London. He’s taking the first flight to Belfast.”

Emmanuel's hand tightens around mine. "This shit can’t continue.”

Stephen nods. “Whoever this cunt is, they have access to information that should be impossible to get.”

Jer nods grimly. "Tonight, I’m calling a meeting. Every member of the Gang is to be present."

“As will every Gallagher man. Knowing Butch and Pyro, their brothers will be present too,” Denis says, his voice heavy, and I have no doubt it’s down to finding out that his uncle had a kid he never knew about.

“We’ll conference with everyone involved. It’s time for answers,” Henry says, his voice is low, but even quiet, it’s menacing. “That means the Gallos and the Syndicate. Those fuckers are keeping something from us and I want answers.”

As the men continue to talk about this evening, something in the air feels as though it’s shifted. I really hope they get the answers we’ve all been needing.

As everyone begins to leave, Emmanuel pulls me aside. "Are you okay?" he asks softly, his hand gently caressing my bump.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I'm scared," I admit. "But I trust you. I know you'll keep us safe."

He pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. "With my life," he promises. "You and our son are everything to me. I won't let anything happen to you."

I know he won’t. I have the utmost faith in Emmanuel. I’d follow him anywhere because I know he’s going to do whatever it takes to keep our family safe.