Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
My gaze skittered to the door. “If he survived, could he get into the hotel?”
He cupped my face, making me look at him. “No,” he said firmly. “His face was entered into our database. Also, in everyone else’s who was part of the rescue. He couldn’t get near this place or hundreds of others without alarms going off.” He frowned. “I saw the bullets hit him, Anna. I think he crawled away to die like the animal he was.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
But the nightmares returned with a vengeance, even with Niall holding me. We were both exhausted, and I wasn’t sure how long we could go on this way.
We attended Una’s brother’s funeral, me clutching Niall’s hand tightly. He never left my side, and I felt his watchful gaze on me constantly. Una was pale and sad-looking, Finn right beside her looking fierce. She was gracious and warm to everyone, thanking them, ensuring they had food and drink.
“She is so strong,” I observed. “She was like that when we were captives. Always insisting Finn would come for her. Certain of him.”
Niall turned, pressing his lips to my head quickly. “He wouldn’t rest until he had her back. I’d do the same.”
I blinked and turned to him, but he was looking around the room, ever vigilant.
Did he mean he’d look for me if I were taken again?
“She forgave Brian,” I murmured. “After what her brother did, she forgave him.”
“She has a big heart,” Niall replied. “She and Finn are much the same.”
“Like you,” I insisted.
He shook his head. “I don’t have the heart Finn does.”
“I would disagree.”
He looked flummoxed. “Why?”
“The way you look after me. I hear you on the phone with your mum. Even how you watch over Finn. Your men. I think you have a huge heart.”
He frowned, shaking his head in disbelief. “Responsibilities,” he countered. “I take that seriously.”
“Your mum is just a responsibility?”
His gaze softened. “She is the exception.”
“And me?” I asked.
He met my eyes, something in them making me catch my breath.
“I don’t know, mo mhuirnín. I just don’t know.”
Somehow, his confusion only made me smile. I felt it too, so once again, we were on equal ground.
After the event was over, we returned to the hotel. I relaxed once we were in the room, the door locked. I sat down, feeling tired.
Niall sat across from me. “Una is seeing a professional.”
“Sorry?”
“A therapist.”
I frowned. “How does that work, exactly? I mean, I know about client confidentiality, but given your, ah, career…?” I trailed off, unsure how to ask.
He smiled grimly. “The wife of someone in the syndicate. Nothing much shocks her. But she is very good at what she does. Finn says it has helped Una already. Perhaps you would like to talk to her.” He studied me. “I am aware you try to hide things. You haven’t told me everything that happened all those weeks, Anna. You need to say them, get them out in the open so they can’t keep haunting you.”
“I—I don’t want to think about some of it, never mind have you hear it,” I admitted.
“Then talk to someone who has no personal involvement. Who won’t want to kill them all over again,” he said mildly, although his voice was rough and his eyes burning. “I can arrange it.”
“Okay.”
“And Finn wants to have lunch tomorrow. He has something he wants to talk to you about.”
“Do I have to leave?” I blurted, scared.
“No!” He was quick to reassure me. “You never have to leave, Anna. It’s a chance to move forward. I promise you.”
“I want to stay,” I said, hating the fact that my voice shook.
He stared at me, then leaned forward, pressing his mouth to mine. The moment our lips met, I forgot everything. Nothing existed outside this instant. This piece of time with him and me. Our mouths moving together. He lowered from the chair, kneeling between my legs, pulling me close. He deepened the kiss, and I was lost. Lost to his taste, the feel of him close. The way he commanded my body without saying a word. All it took was the press of his hand on my back to urge me forward, the feel of his fingers on my neck. So I tilted my head and he went even deeper, his tongue doing things that should be illegal. Making my body cry out for more.
Until his phone rang and he drew back, his lips wet from mine, his breathing deep. He answered, his thumb pressing to my bottom lip. “Niall Black.”
He listened and stood. “On my way.”
He looked down at me, regretful. “I have to take care of something.”
I nodded, unable to speak.
“John is outside. Another man at the elevator. You are safe. I will not allow anything to happen to you. Understand?”
Again, I nodded. He bent and kissed me again. “Mo mhuirnín, I will be back as fast as I can.”