Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
We all froze. Autumn’s eyes were huge in her face. She was bruised and battered, blood dried on her cheek. She was shaking so hard, she was barely able to stand. Calvin had a busted-up nose and a cut on his face, his ugly mug still belligerent, his pea brain thinking he had the upper hand.
“It’s over. Let her go,” Finn stated calmly. “You’re not getting out of here.”
“Fuck you,” Calvin sneered. “Then neither is she. I’m the one with a gun to her head—you make one move, I’ll blow her brains out.”
Niall sighed as if he was bored. Before anyone could blink, he lowered his gun and shot Calvin in the knee. The scream that tore out of the arsehole’s mouth was loud, and he flung up his arms, pirouetting like a clumsy ballerina before falling to the floor.
Before he even hit the wood, I was in front of Autumn, catching her in my arms. She was ice-cold and terrified.
“Finn, we need to get her warm! Now!”
Finn spoke into his mouthpiece. “Blankets in thirty seconds,” he assured me.
I stepped away, holding Autumn and murmuring assurances to her.
“I have you, love. I’m here, mo fhiadh beag. It’s over. You’re safe.”
She didn’t speak, burying her head in my chest.
I held her tight, knowing I wouldn’t be releasing her from my arms anytime soon.
She shook constantly. Gripped my shirt. Stared up at me with those wide, terrified eyes. The only sound she made was one of distress when I loosened my hold on her to get warm blankets wrapped around her. I hushed and soothed her the best I could, my anger still raging.
Calvin whimpered and moaned like the little bitch he was. “I need help! I’m bleeding!”
“Jesus, shut up,” Niall demanded, pointing his gun. “Or I’ll shoot the other knee, you fecking bastard. In fact—”
I turned away as the gun went off. This time, there was a high-pitched wail, then only sobbing. The scent of urine reached my nose, and I stepped closer to the door.
Finn joined me. “I’ve arranged medical. You’ll be met at the hospital.”
I looked down at Autumn, a quivering mass of fear in my arms. She was battered and bruised and so emotionally destroyed I was fearful. I had no idea what she had been through, and part of me was scared to know. “Thanks,” I murmured.
“What do you want done?”
I wanted to kill him. Carefully. Methodically. Make him feel pain so bad he begged to die. Except Autumn needed me more than I needed revenge. And right now, I had no stomach for murder.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
He nodded. “Right.”
I headed to the door, ready to walk away, when the fecker began to shout, reaching and clawing his way toward us, his legs useless. “No! She’s mine. I want—”
I turned and, with one fast, violent kick, silenced him. His head snapped back hard as teeth, blood, and spit erupted in an arc from his stupid gob. “Shut yer face, you stupid fecker. She was never yours and never would be.”
“Oh sure, yer rugby days have come in handy,” Niall said with a dark chuckle. “Nice kick.”
The arsehole stared at me, his mouth open, blood pouring down his chin. He couldn’t talk, and I was glad for that. But I had something to say.
“Remember this—when you’re writhing in hell for all eternity, I’ll be loving her. Living a life we create together. One that holds no memory of you. This world will never remember you. You lost, fecker. I have her. And I always will.”
And I walked out, leaving him to his fate.
AUTUMN
There were sights and sounds all around me. Lights that were too bright, noises that hurt my ears. The one comforting thing that kept me from losing it was taken away. Strong arms that held me tight, a steady thump-thump-thump beat under my ear, disappeared. I cried out, seeking, terrified. Those arms and that sound meant I was safe.
I began to cry. Scalding hot tears poured down my cheeks, and I tried in vain to get back to that safety. I heard yelling and cursing, and then a voice was in my ear.
“I’m right here, mo fhiadh beag. I’m not leaving you. I’ll hold your hand, but we need to let them help you. You’re safe. I promise, love. You’re safe.”
“Sully,” I whimpered.
“Yes. It’s your Sully. I’m right here.”
I let his scent wash over me, and I drifted off, the blackness welcome.
Consciousness came again, gradually, easing me from the dark. Feminine voices were speaking. Male voices spoke in low tones. The pain was still there, but not as intense. I searched my mind, wondering where I was. What had happened. I felt pressure on my hands, and a voice—one I loved—spoke.
“Come back to me, mo fhiadh beag. I’m waiting. I need you.”
I tried to open my eyes, but they refused to cooperate. I wanted to lift my hand, to reach out to that voice, but it was too heavy. I felt so tired. It was too hard. I sighed and let sleep take me away again.