14. Mallory
Chapter 14
Mallory
I t's almost midnight and the party is finally over. Stephen and Jess left a little while ago, while Jer, Maverick, and Freddie decided to enjoy the festivities and drink more alcohol than necessary.
"Mav, Freddie, do either of you need a lift home?" I ask as I reach for my cell.
I had planned on going home when Stephen and Jess left, but Ma persuaded me to stay a little longer. She's enjoying having the house to herself—what she actually means is that she likes the alone time with Shay. As I know my son is safe, I stayed. Now, I'm wanting to go home, snuggle with my son, and go to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be an emotionally charged day and there's no way I can do it without getting some sleep.
I'm worried about what Raptor's going to say. He's going to be angry. I get that and I'm expecting it. I fucked up, majorly, by not telling him about Shay, but I'm hoping he'll be interested in getting to know his son.
"Yes," Mav slurs. "Although, we should be the ones bringing you home," he says as he gets to his feet. "Why didn't you tell any of us what the fuck was happening?"
I shrug, feeling self conscious. "I didn't tell anyone."
"Stupid," Freddie says as he downs the last of his whiskey. "So stupid."
"Shut up, Freddie," Maverick hisses, before turning back to me. "You should have told Jess or Chloe. They'd have told us and we'd have helped."
"Both Chloe and Jess have been through enough pain and suffering. Telling them about me would only add to it. So no, neither of them are ever going to know the full extent of what's going on."
"You women," Jer says, shaking his head. "You need to tell us when you're in danger. How the fuck are we supposed to help?"
"I'm in danger because Stephen killed a man. Want to tell me how the fuck that's fair?" I ask, my anger getting the best of me right now. "How is it fair that I'm the one who’s been targeted? I have a three-month-old son who can't leave the house because I'm terrified Micah's going to hurt him."
Silence spreads around the room, and I know they finally understand why I've been hiding. Maverick pulls me into a hug. "The next time that fucker surfaces, you call us, Mal. You call any of us and we'll be there."
"Exactly," Jer says. "Now, why don't you move in here?" he asks. "You'll be safe. The house is guarded and no one can get in or out without my say so."
"Tomorrow, I'm going to the Fury Viper compound. If Raptor won't help with Shay, then I may take you up on that offer."
"Wait," Maverick says, his eyes widening. "Raptor's Shay's dad?"
I nod. "He is."
"Fuck me," Mav says. "That's news to me. What the hell is with the women in my life?" he muses. "None of you can go for guys your own age."
I laugh because he's not wrong. His sister, Callie, is married to a man twenty years her senior. There's about an eight or nine year difference between Pyro and Chloe. With Stephen and Jess, there's around a fifteen year age gap. Raptor is thirty-five and I'm nineteen. "We'll see what you're like when you meet your woman."
His gaze slides to the floor, making me think he's already found his one. I'm happy for him if he has. Maverick is one of the good ones.
"Okay, you two, let's go. I'll get you home," I say, walking over to Jer and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you for having me today and including me in the planning."
He pats my hand. "My dear, if it wasn't for you, my niece wouldn't have had her dream day. You're the reason she's alive and happy. We're in your debt."
I shake my head. "No, you're not. Jess is closer to me than a sister. I'll do anything for her." I give him a smile before turning and leaving. It's time to go home and I can't wait. I'm about ready to drop.
Thankfully, both Maverick and Freddie dutifully follow me to my car.
I drop Freddie in town. I'm not sure what he wants to do, but I know better than to ask, whereas Maverick wants to be dropped off at home. I happily oblige, knowing they're safe. Once I have them dropped off, I call Ma.
"Hey, sweetie, are you on the way home?"
"Yeah. I just wanted to know if you need anything?"
I hear her soft yawn and realize I've probably woken her up. "No thanks, love. I'm going up to bed now. Shay's all tucked in and fast asleep."
I smile. He's safe and content. "Okay. I'm going to stop and get some food. I'm hungry. I'll be home in a bit. I'll be sure to be quiet so as not to wake anyone."
"Thanks, Mallory. I'm glad you had a great night. I can't wait to hear all about it tomorrow."
"Night, Ma. Sweet dreams." I end the call and continue driving.
I stop off at a fast food restaurant and get some food before I go home.
I'm careful to keep an eye on any cars on the road. Micah has been showing up out of nowhere. It's as though he's got a tracker on me or something, but I've changed vehicles and have checked to ensure there are no trackers. Yet somehow he always manages to find me.
I pull into the car park of the fast food chain and quickly make my way into the store. I'm cautious, my gaze always scanning to see who's around me. Thankfully it's quiet and hardly anyone's around, so I'm able to order my food and get it within minutes.
Walking outside, I sigh when I see a huge fucking truck blocking my exit. The fucker is parked vertically, blocking the view between the store and my car. Fuck. I hurry around the truck and hit the key fob of my car to unlock it. I see the lights flash and it beeps, letting me know it's unlocked. My feet hurry toward my car. My entire body is tense as fear creeps up my spine. I'm trying my hardest to not panic. Christ, what the hell is wrong with this asshole? Why would he park like this, blocking a car in?
I reach for the handle to open the door and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "Told you, bitch," I hear snarled from behind me.
I begin to tremble. Fuck, fuck, I should have known. I should have walked back into the store and waited. I shouldn't have walked into the dark car park alone. How fucking stupid am I? Us women, we learn this as we grow up. Never walk alone at night, always have your keys between your fingers—just in case. If you have to be alone, always call someone to talk to and let them know your whereabouts so if something does happen to you, they can get help.
What do I do? Ignore every instinct I have and walk toward danger. Christ, what the fuck is wrong with me?
I drop the food I was carrying to the floor with a loud thud, and my car keys clink as they fall out of my pocket. I turn to face Micah, my heart pounding. Even though I know what's coming, his sinister smile sends chills down my spine. "Micah," I breathe, fear coating every syllable.
He holds up his trusted knife again, the blade glinting menacingly in the dim light. "Warned you, bitch," he spits, his eyes filled with malice. "I told you I'm going to break you, Mallory. I'm going to toy with you until you beg for mercy."
But I refuse to give him that satisfaction. No matter what he does to me, I will not beg for mercy. I did nothing wrong. I couldn't have stopped them that night. Stephen was protecting the woman he loves from Jarlath's cruel intentions. The man is a psychopath, and there was no stopping him when he set out for revenge. In the three months since he broke into my house the day I came home with Shay, I've replayed it over and over in my mind. And now I realize that no matter what actions I could have taken, Stephen was always going to kill Jarlath. It's just who he is.
"Karma has come back around," Micah growls.
"I did nothing wrong," I cry out as he lunges toward me, his knife piercing through my stomach.
"Exactly," he hisses as he kicks at my legs, sending me crashing to the ground in pain. Blood seeps from my stomach wound, staining my clothes and the ground beneath me. "You did nothing, you fucking bitch. Not a damn thing." The pain is excruciating, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing me suffer.
He unleashes a relentless attack, each kick more powerful than the last. His blows land all over my body, leaving me unable to defend myself. He's like a force of nature, too strong for me to resist. "Please, stop," I plead, gasping for air.
"Never," he snarls, his voice dripping with malice. "This is only the beginning." He laughs maniacally as he grabs my arm and yanks it backwards. A sharp pain shoots through my body as something pops out of place. But he doesn't stop there. With a ferocious growl, he launches himself at me, raining his fists down on my face and chest. I try to fight back, to shake him off, but his strength is overwhelming. Every blow feels like a hammer striking against my skin.
Can this really be happening? Why am I being punished for something I didn't do? I close my eyes, my heart feeling like it's about to burst from my chest. There's no way out of this nightmare.
Micah's hands tighten around my neck, and my vision begins to blur as I struggle to stay conscious. I think he may just kill me this time.
As Micah releases my neck, I try to pull myself together, to find the strength to break free from his grip. But it's no use. He's way too powerful. I try to call out for help, but my voice is gone, silenced by his savage attack.
My body jolts as a rush of air hits me, and the crushing weight on my chest is lifted. I lift my head, watching him sprint toward the truck. My heart begins to race with fear as I wonder what his next move will be. I can’t stay here. What if he comes back?
My arm that he pulled is useless. I can't move it. If I try to, it radiates with pain. With my good hand, I scan around the floor, trying to locate my keys, my gaze firmly on Micah, who's watching me from his truck. My heart is beating so fast, I'm scared I'm going to pass out.
"Ah," I cry when my fingers curl around my keys. I've found them. God, I've found them.
It takes everything I have to lift myself from the ground and open the car door. I won't fail. I will not let that monster win. I throw myself into the car and lock the doors. The second I hear the lock engage, I begin to sob. Every inch of my body is in pain and I'm struggling to breathe, yet all I can do is sob. Tears fall thick and fast as I try to catch my breath, but it's no use. The pain I'm in is taking my breath from me. There's no escaping it.
I hear a heavy engine sound and see Micah reversing the truck from the car park. Relief hits me, but it's short-lived as the pain hits me. He's leaving. God, he's leaving. A rush of breath leaves me and once again my vision starts to blur. This time, I'm unable to fight the darkness. It pulls me under and I welcome it.
I wake to pain, and I blink harshly at the sunlight that's beaming through my window. Fuck. What time is it?
I try to reach for my cell but my arm protests. I have a feeling it's either dislocated or broken. I'm hoping for the former. Twisting slightly, I reach for my cell and see I have a fucking ton of missed calls, all from Ma. I also note that it's almost ten a.m. I've been unconscious for a long time. Shit.
I start the car, praying that I can drive. Right now, I need to get the hell out of here.
I call Ma's number and it connects to the car's Bluetooth. "Mallory," she cries. "Oh, Mallory, are you okay?"
"He found me again, Ma," I cry. "I'm going to get help. I need help, Ma."
"Baby," she breathes. "What do you want me to do? I'll come to you."
"No," I shout. "I need you and Shay to be safe. Please, Ma, please don't leave the house."
I hear her sobs. I hate that I'm hurting her. I wish there was something I could do, but everything is so fucked up right now. "Ma?—"
"I feel useless. You're my daughter, Mallory. I should be able to protect you."
"You're protecting Shay, Ma. That's all I want. Please. I'll call you when I can. I love you. Please let Shay know that I love him."
There's a sharp intake of breath. "No," she shouts. "No, you will come home to him. Do you understand, Mallory? You are coming home to him."
I can't stop the tears from falling. I don't think I can. The pain I'm in is too much. I feel weak. I'm not sure I have the energy for this anymore.
"You do not give up," she sobs. "Please, love, don't give up. Your baby needs you."
"I love you," I cry. "I won't give up."
"I love you too, Mallory. Call me when you need me or when you're safe."
"I will," I promise her and end the call. I know she hates that she can't be with me, but right now this is what has to happen. I'll never live with myself if something happens to Shay. I couldn't survive the guilt.
I grit my teeth, thankful Ma persuaded me to get an automatic car. I don't need to use my bad arm. I just need to get to Raptor. I know if I can make it to the clubhouse, I'll be fine.
I hope.