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"Night, Evie. Hope you feel better soon."
It doesn't take her long to fall asleep. I close my eyes, listening to her soft snores, my mind whirling about the pregnancy. What the hell am I going to do?
First step: Get confirmation.
Second step: Don't freak out.
No matter what, it's going to be okay. There's no other choice, so it has to be.
CHAPTER11
PREACHER
It's been a week since I last saw Ailbhe. I haven’t been at the strip club due to there being a lot of club business that’s needed to be taken care of. Tonight is also a no-go on seeing Ailbhe as my brothers and I are going to meet with Denis Gallagher and his son, Danny, to find out what the fuck is going on with Jed O'Connor. Everything has come back squeaky clean on the guy. A little too squeaky clean, in my opinion. No one is that fucking good.
My cell buzzes and I glance at the screen. Reaper. I grit my teeth as I slide my cell into my pocket. It's been over nine months since I last saw Reaper and Tyson, but it hasn't stopped Reaper from calling. I can't bring myself to answer the call and talk to him. I know he's feeling guilty for having Tyson, when he shouldn't be. But watching someone else raise my boy isn't something I can do right now, hence why I moved across the world to get away. I know that it's fucked up. Reaper's my brother, the closest thing I have to actual family, and he's my best friend. He deserves better than to be ignored, but I just can't listen to him talk about Tyson.
"He's been askin' about you," Wrath says as he stands beside me.
We're currently out at the docks. It's fucking cold, but it's secluded. The only people around are us as we wait for the Gallaghers. Denis has the right people in his pockets. The security firm that’s supposed to be watching this end of the docks is currently having issues with an incident happening about a ten-minute drive from here. They'll be busy for the next hour or so, giving us enough time to ensure that whatever business we have is done.
"Has he?" I say, knowing damn well that he has been. Every fucking day the brothers are catching up with one or all of the brothers from New York. It's been a huge fucking change; not just the food, but the culture, and the people, not to mention the weather. It's always raining. It never fucking ends. I'm surprised by how much I actually enjoy being here. I thought it would be a pit stop for me, but I'm contemplating making it permanent.
"You're a fuckin', asshole, brother, you know that?"
I grin at him. "Look, I get that he's worried, but for my own sanity, this is the way it's gotta be."
"I get that," he says quietly. "I don't know how the fuck you're still standing, brother. I really don't. Leaving Eva for weeks was hard. It almost broke me. I can't imagine losing her or James."
"I pray that you never have to," I reply, my chest aching from the heaviness that's been settled on it for months. I would never wish this pain on my worst enemy.
"But you've got to talk to Reap, man. He's worried about you. He's the closest thing you have to family. You need to talk to him."
I grit my teeth. "Right now, Wrath, I need to focus on myself and makin' it through each day."
The struggle to wake up every morning is real. I lie in bed and wonder why the fuck I should even rise. Sleep is my only solitude, it’s the only time I’m able to escape the pain and it takes a fucking lot to make me pass out to a point I don’t think about Tyson or Abel. A bottle of whiskey would usally do it, if I were to drink that, I wouldn’t have to worry about the night. I’d be passed out. But I know doing that isn't going to help. It won't help me and it won't help my brothers. So I force myself to get out of bed every morning, and try to make it through the night without dreaming then, I push myself to get dressed and go about my day. It's fucking hard, but I have to do it.
"What do you need, Preach? What can we do to help?"
I shake my head. "Nothin'," I say honestly. "There's nothin' you can do, brother. This is somethin' I'm goin' to have to figure out for myself."
I hear his heavy sigh. I get it; if the tables were turned, I'd feel the exact same way. I'd want to help my brother; take him out of that dark place mentally; help him find a way through it. But I can't let anyone in. There's nothing anyone can say to me to make this better. It's a fucked up situation all around and I'm trying my fucking hardest to make it through each day. Not drinking isn't fucking helping either. Goddamn Pyro. I was so fucking stupid to take that bet. Especially now that I haven't seen Ailbhe in a damn week. Fucking her helps me sleep without the alcohol.
The sound of a car engine grows closer and we stand taller. A sleek Mercedes pulls into the dock, and right behind it is a dark Range Rover. Denis, Danny, and Malcolm Gallagher step out of the Mercedes and two men jump out of the Range Rover.
"Pyro, Raptor, Wrath, and Preacher," Denis says as he joins us. "You all know my sons, Danny and Malcolm." He nods to his boys. "This is Stephen Maguire and Maverick O'Hara. Callie's brothers."
Ah, I've heard about Stephen and Maverick. They helped Makenna's cousin's in-laws out when they were in a tight spot a little while ago. Stephen has a reputation within the criminal world, not only here in Ireland but around the world. It wasn't until recently that people found out it was Stephen who has the moniker, the Eraser. The man has a special way of getting rid of his enemies, and while I have yet to see it in practice, I've heard that it's twisted and sickening to those who have watched it. No one wants to elaborate on the ways that he kills, but it's going to be fun to find out what it is exactly. As for Maverick, he goes by the moniker, the Cleaner. That’s because he has a penchant for using chemicals to get rid of his enemies. The man's smart as a tack and is damn well genius enough to understand chemical formulas that can get rid of bodies.
"It's nice to meet you," Maverick says as he holds out his hand for us to shake. Pyro goes first and the rest follow. "Callie and Chloe have all good things to say about you. Of course, we've heard about your reputation. I hope the rumors are half as good as the real thing."
I chuckle. "That they are," I tell him with a grin. "The same could be said for the two of you."
"Oh, you have no idea how good they are," Stephen replies.
"Now," Denis says, glancing at Stephen and shaking his head. "We're here because this is a place that is secure and we can't be overheard."
"As is the clubhouse," Pyro says through gritted teeth.
