Page 9

NINE

emmanuel

TWO YEARS LATER

“You good?” Maverick asks as we step off the plane at LAX. So much has changed over the past two years. Maverick went from not wanting to be a part of Jer’s world to being so immersed in it, Jer is wanting to have Maverick take over when he retires.

“I’m good,” I assure him.

“Really?” he asks with a raised brow. “Your ma’s in fucking rehab, Emman. I doubt you’re fine.”

Last year, Ma’s best friend Patricia died.

She was shot to death, and the killer is still out there.

Ma took Patty’s death hard, and she started drinking heavily.

Two weeks ago, I found her passed out, vomit spilling from her lips, and I lost it.

Christ, I thought she was going to die. I gave her an ultimatum: get help or she’s on her own.

Thankfully, she took option one and is now in a rehab facility to help her.

“I’m fine. She’s getting help and that’s the best thing for her. What about you? Hmm? Are you dealing with what happened to Callie yet?”

He found out that his twin sister was in an abusive relationship, and the asshole she was dating tried to kill her while Mav was in the apartment. That was the night Mav joined the Houlihan Gang and became the Cleaner. He’s good at making people disappear without a trace.

Maverick's jaw tightens at the mention of Callie. "She's doing better," he says tersely. "Let's focus on why we're here, yeah?"

I nod, letting the subject drop. We both have our demons, but right now we have a job to do.

"So, what's the deal with this mark?" Maverick asks as we climb into our rental car.

I pull out my phone and bring up the file Cole sent me. "Marcus Delgado. Drug kingpin, human trafficker, all-around scumbag. He's been untouchable for years, but we finally got a lead on his location."

Maverick whistles low. "Big fish. No wonder Cole wanted both of us on this one."

I nod grimly. "Yeah, it's not going to be easy. He's holed up in a heavily fortified compound just outside the city. We're going to need to be smart about this."

As we drive toward our hotel, I brief Maverick on the details of the plan. It's a two-man job—I'll take the shot from a distance while Maverick handles crowd control and our exit strategy.

"You heard from Travis lately?" Maverick asks as we pull into the hotel parking lot.

I shake my head. "Not since that job in Beijing last month. Why?"

Maverick shrugs. "Just curious. I heard rumors that The Agency might be looking to expand their operations. Thought you might know something."

I frown. This is news to me. "I'll ask Cole about it when we get back. For now, let's focus on Delgado."

As we check into our room, my mind wanders to Ma. I hope she's doing okay in rehab. The thought of her following in my father's footsteps... It terrifies me. But I push those thoughts aside. I can't afford to be distracted right now.

"Hey," Maverick says, snapping me out of my thoughts. "You sure you're good for this? If you need more time..."

I shake my head firmly. "I'm fine. Let's do this."

As soon as night falls, we make our move. The compound is just as heavily guarded as we expected, but we've planned for this. Maverick creates a distraction at the front gate while I slip in through a weak spot in the perimeter we identified via surveillance footage Cole gave us.

I make my way to the vantage point and set up my rifle, something that comes as second nature now.

The scope of my rifle gives me a clear view into Delgado's study. He's there, just as our intel suggested he would be, poring over papers at his desk.

"I have eyes on the target," I murmur into my comm.

"Copy that," Maverick's voice crackles back. "Distraction is in place. You're clear to take the shot."

I steady my breathing, lining up the crosshairs. This is what I've become in the past two years—a cold, efficient killer.

Just as I'm about to squeeze the trigger, movement catches my eye. A young woman enters the study, carrying a tray. Delgado's daughter, according to our intel. She wasn't supposed to be here.

"Shit," I hiss. "We've got a complication. The daughter's in the room."

There's a pause on the other end. "Can you still make the shot?" Maverick asks.

I hesitate. The girl is standing close to her father, laughing at something he's said. If I take the shot now, there's a chance she could be hit by the spray of blood and brain matter. Or worse, if my aim is off even slightly...

"Emmanuel," Maverick's voice is tense. "We might not get another chance at this. Cole was clear—Delgado needs to be taken out tonight."

I know he's right. This is our best shot. But as I watch the girl through my scope, all I can think about is Clodagh. Another innocent life scarred by violence.

I keep my finger on the trigger, ready to pull at any moment.

My focus remains on Delgado and his daughter.

The mood has changed. No more laughter and fun.

Instead, they seem to be having an argument.

I watch as Delgado’s face turns a putrid shade of red.

He raises his hand, and I grit my teeth as his daughter flinches.

My anger tears through me. He’s abusive to her.

She knows what to expect when he raises his hand.

I don’t hesitate. My finger pulls the trigger.

The shot rings out, echoing in the night air. Through my scope, I watch as Delgado crumples to the ground, a clean hole in his forehead. His daughter screams, stumbling backwards in shock.

"Target neutralized," I report coldly into my comm.

"Copy that," Maverick replies. "Initiating extraction plan now."

I quickly break down my rifle, my movements automatic after years of practice. As I make my way to our predetermined exit point, I push thoughts of the girl from my mind. This is the job. This is what I signed up for.

Maverick is waiting in the getaway car, engine already running. I slide into the passenger seat and we peel away from the compound, tires squealing as we do.

"Any complications?" Maverick asks as we speed down the dark road.

I shake my head. "Clean shot. One and done."

Maverick nods approvingly. "Good. Cole will be pleased."

We drive in silence for a while, the adrenaline of the job slowly fading. Finally, Maverick speaks again.

"You hesitated," he says quietly. It's not a question.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "The daughter, she reminded me of Clodagh."

Maverick's grip tightens on the steering wheel. "Emmanuel," he sighs.

"I know," I snap, not wanting him to say anything. "It won't happen again."

He shakes his head. “That’s not what I mean. Have you seen Clodagh?”

“No,” I say through clenched teeth. I’ve kept my distance from her. “Jer’s stopped giving me updates.”

“Why?” he questions. “Why did he stop with the updates? I thought he was keeping an eye on her?”

I sigh, staring out the window at the passing streetlights. "I asked him to stop. It was... it was becoming an obsession. I couldn't keep living with that guilt, checking up on her constantly."

Maverick nods slowly. "I get it. But maybe it's time you faced it head on. Go see her, talk to her."

I shake my head vehemently. "No. Absolutely not. What would I even say? 'Hey, sorry my psycho dad murdered your family and kidnapped you. Hope you're doing okay now!'"

"That's not what I meant and you know it," Maverick says, his voice gentle but firm. "You need closure, Emmanuel. And maybe she does too."

I don't respond, letting his words hang in the air between us. Part of me knows he's right. The guilt, the what-ifs, they've been eating away at me for years now. But the thought of actually facing Clodagh... it terrifies me.

"Look," Maverick continues, "I'm not saying you have to do it right away. But think about it, yeah? It might help you move past this."

I nod noncommittally, not wanting to discuss it further. We drive the rest of the way to our safe house in silence.

Once we're inside, I check my phone. There's a message from Cole: Job well done. Fly back tomorrow for debrief.

I show the message to Maverick, who nods. "Guess we're heading home then."

As I lay in bed that night, sleep eludes me. My mind keeps replaying the moment I took the shot, the look of horror on the daughter's face. And then it shifts, morphing into Clodagh's face, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

Maybe Maverick's right. Maybe it is time to face my demons. But am I ready for that? And more importantly, is Clodagh?

I toss and turn, these thoughts swirling in my head until exhaustion finally claims me. As I drift off, I make a decision. When we get back to Ireland, I'll talk to Jer. It's time to find out how Clodagh O'Rourke is really doing.

Because until I do, I'll never truly be free of my father's legacy. And I need to be if I'm going to continue down this path I've chosen. The path of the Silencer.

* * *

“What’s on your mind, son?” Jer asks as I take a seat opposite him in his office.

It’s been a week since the mission in Los Angeles and Delgado’s death. His daughter is free of him and is currently living with her aunt and seems happier.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I want to know how Clodagh O'Rourke is doing."

Jer leans back in his chair, studying me intently. "I thought you wanted me to stop giving you updates on her."

"I did," I admit. "But I think... I think I need to know. For closure."

Jer nods slowly, as if he's been expecting this. "She's doing well, all things considered. Still living with Tammy, her foster mam. She's in therapy and making progress. She made a friend who’s also in foster care. She’s a thirteen year old teenager, Emmanuel; she’s doing the best that she can."

"That's... that's good."

"It is," Jer agrees. "But, Emmanuel, why now? What's changed?"

I run a hand through my hair, trying to find the right words. "The job in LA. There was a girl there, Delgado's daughter. She reminded me of Clodagh. It made me realize I've never really dealt with what happened."

Jer's expression softens. "You can't keep carrying this guilt, son. What your father did wasn't your fault."

"I know that," I say, frustration creeping into my voice. "Logically, I know that. But I can't help feeling like if I'd done something sooner..."

"You were a child yourself," Jer reminds me gently. "There was nothing you could have done."

I nod, not entirely convinced. "I think... I think I need to see her. Talk to her."

Jer's eyebrows shoot up. "Are you sure that's wise?"

"Probably not," I admit. "But I need to do something. I can't keep living with these what-ifs."

Jer sighs, rubbing his temples. "Alright, I'll arrange it. But, Emmanuel, you need to be prepared. This might not go the way you hope."

I nod, a mixture of anticipation and dread churning in my stomach. "I know. But I have to try."

As I leave Jer's office, my mind is racing. Am I really ready to face Clodagh? To confront the living embodiment of my father's crimes?

But I know I have to. Because until I do, I'll never truly be free of my father's shadow. And I need to be if I'm going to continue down this path I've chosen. The path of the Silencer.

I pull out my phone and dial Maverick's number. He picks up on the second ring.

"Hey," I say, my voice tight. "Just to let you know, I’ve got a job next week, so I won’t be around for a while." I had a call from Cole earlier this evening. I'm travelling to Argentina this time.

There's a pause on the other end. Then, "Do you want me to come with you?"

I consider it for a moment, then shake my head even though he can't see me. "No. I’ve got this.”

"Alright, man, but if you change your mind, let me know.”

“I will do. How’s Callie?”

Maverick sighs heavily on the other end of the line. "She's... getting there. Still jumpy sometimes, especially around men she doesn't know well. But she's back at work, trying to get her life back on track."

I nod. Callie's situation hits close to home—another innocent life scarred by violence. "That's good. Tell her I said hi, yeah?"

"Will do," Maverick replies. "And Emmanuel? Call if you need me. Whatever happens, I've got your back."

"Thanks, man," I say, my words filled with gratitude as I end the call.

I’ve got a lot of shit going on, but before I do another job, I’ve got to see Clodagh. I need to close that chapter on my life and put the guilt to bed.