Page 46 of Conor
The Locos are ready to do battle when they see our car for the second time, and they’re pulling out their own pieces when Ronan fires the first shot. His aim is true, even in the dark in a moving car. The first scumbag crumples to the ground before a shot rings out and shatters the front windshield.
I slam on the brakes, and Reaper fires again, spraying the second man as he retreats. I’m already out of the car and chasing the third as he beats it down the alley to duck for cover.
A scream echoes off the surrounding buildings, and a bullet whizzes past my ear, taking some of the flesh with it. Warm blood leaks down my neck, but I forget all about it when I see what’s waiting for us at the end of the alley.
Her hair is a mess, and her face is beat to hell, but there’s no doubt the half-naked woman is my wife. One of these slimy motherfuckers has his hands wrapped around her throat, and she’s trying like hell to fight him off. Her jeans are pulled down, and her shirt is ripped in half, and he’s got his dick out still trying to get inside of her.
“Animal!” Someone tries to warn him from behind the dumpster, but it’s too late. I’m already there, muzzle pressed against his skull. It’s not enough to kill him quickly, but in the grand scheme of things, all that matters is Ivy.
“Get. The. Fuck. Off.”
His hands fall away from her throat, and he chuckles as he rocks back onto his knees. “Cool, cool. You must be one of those Irish fuckers, huh? You want to take me out? Why don’t you do it like a fucking man. I always hear your crew claiming they’re the best fighters in all of Boston. Show me how you do it with your bare hands.”
In answer, I aim between his legs and fire a shot, blowing his dick clean off. All his bravado is gone when he collapses into the fetal position and starts simpering like the pussy he is.
“Take it like a fucking man,” I taunt him.
My eyes move to Ivy, and I wish they hadn’t. The horror in her eyes, the fear… it’s too much for me to handle. She’s seen me at my worst now, and she can’t handle it. She can’t handle any of it, which is evident when she rolls onto her side and pukes.
“Fucking Christ.” As much as I’d like to toy with Animal and torture him, I need it to be over. For her. I dig into Animal’s skull and fire the kill shot. Ivy screams, and I drop to my knees before her.
“They’re all spoken for,” Reaper interrupts. “But we need to get out of here. You can sort her out in the car.”
I scoop Ivy’s battered body into my arms and she clings to me, weeping with a brokenness that splinters my ribs and blackens my beating heart.
“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper. “I’m here now. It’s okay.”
We pile into the backseat and Ronan burns rubber down the street while I do my best to console Ivy. I right her clothes and pet her hair and kiss her forehead, murmuring my regret for only her.
“I’m so sorry, my love. I’m so fucking sorry. I didn’t protect you.”
“Archer,” she chokes out.
“He’s okay. He’s safe.”
She shakes her head, insistent that he isn’t. She won’t be okay until she sees him for herself, so I drag my phone out of my pocket and video call Rory. He answers on the second ring.
“Where’s the wee one?” I ask.
“He’s asleep on the sofa,” Rory answers.
“Can you show me?”
He aims the screen at Archer, sound asleep with a blanket and teddy bear, and Ivy releases a breath before she clutches a trembling hand to her mouth to keep from sobbing. It’s all she can do. Nothing else matters now because she’s my strong girl, and she would take on the whole fucking world if it meant saving her kid.
“Bring him to mine in two hours, would ye?”
Rory agrees, and we disconnect the call. Ivy looks to me, her face dirty, bruised, and swollen.
“Did he touch you?” I rasp. “Did any of them touch you?”
She starts sobbing again, and I think I’m going to be sick, until she shakes her head. She can’t get the words out in full sentences, so she gasps them between breaths. “He… almost. Then… you.”
“It’s okay, baby.” I pet her hair and kiss her forehead once more. “It’s okay. I won’t ever let anyone hurt you again. You have my word that come what may, I will keep you and Archer safe.”
She nods against my chest, and I know we still have a lot to talk about, but the first order of business is getting her back to where she belongs.
In our home. With our boy.
