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)
Later, when I tried to express my thanks, Finn had held up his hand.
“Family,” he said. “We take care of family. And you are part of ours now.”
Sully tucked me close to his side and dropped a kiss on my head. “Forever.”
After they left, Niall and Anna said their goodnights, and finally, Sully and I were alone. He helped me get ready, then back into the bed.
He sat beside me, taking my hand. “Was that too much, love?”
“No. I enjoyed the company.”
“You were quiet.”
“I have a lot of questions. I wasn’t sure I should ask.”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Anna told me Lynn thinks I was in a car accident.”
“Yes. We needed an explanation about the bruising on your face and neck. We couldn’t really explain the marks on your wrists, so long sleeves might be the answer. She was very upset, but the girls have been visiting, and I called her earlier and said you were awake. We can call her in the morning.”
“Okay.”
I picked at the blanket on my bed. It was soft and warm—another gift from Anna. “How did you find me? Was it the watch?”
“Yes. It worked well. Evan’s tweaks were what we needed. It gave it longer range and strength. And you were so brave and smart to use it.”
“Al—ah, he destroyed it.”
“Evan already had another one he’d worked on in case one got lost. It’s at The Haven, waiting for Lynn.”
“He broke my necklace.” Instinctively, my hand flew to my neck, and my voice trembled. “He tore it off.”
“It’s being fixed. I’ll have it in the next couple days.”
“I broke his nose.”
A grin spread across his face. “I noticed that. Nice job.”
“I kicked him in the nuts too. Called him a wanker and told him he was an idiot.”
Sully chuckled and leaned close, pressing a kiss to my mouth. “My good, brave girl.”
“I made him angry,” I whispered, sudden tears forming in my eyes. “You were right about him, Sully. How dangerous he was. I should have listened to you.”
“Hush. That doesn’t matter now. It’s over.” He sighed. “He was even more devious than any of us thought.”
I looked down to where our hands were joined. “He said awful things. Threatened me. He was going to lock me in a cold root cellar. There—there were spiders. I hate spiders.”
Sully moved closer, cupping my face. Using his thumbs, he wiped away the tears running down my cheeks. “Try not to think about it, love. He’s gone. He can’t hurt you, and I won’t allow anyone else to hurt you either. He’s never coming back.”
I drew in a deep breath. “Did you—” I couldn’t finish my thought.
“No. You were more important. I left it to the boys, and it is done. I got one good kick in, though.”
“Oh.”
“Could you have forgiven me if I had?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” I tightened my grip on the blanket. “Is that what you were discussing earlier?”
“Yes.”
“Will you tell me?”
He shook his head. “No. Suffice it to say, it’s in the past now. You’re safe.”
“Okay,” I murmured, somehow relieved.
“Has this changed your mind, Autumn?”
“About what?”
“Us,” he answered simply. “Another glimpse into my world. Has it changed your mind?”
I lifted my hand and touched his cheek. I traced the jawline I loved to nuzzle. The eyes I loved to stare into. “Anna said something that makes so much sense now. She told me she knew she couldn’t survive her world without the one Niall lived in. It was my world that brought him into my life, Sully. Your world let me live. So, no, I haven’t changed my mind. I am grateful for your world.”
He drew me into his arms, holding me close. I sighed in contentment, snuggling close.
After a moment, he drew back. “You need to sleep.”
I shifted over. “If I lie here, you could fit beside me.”
He frowned, then bent and lifted me. He lay back and tucked me under his chin. I was draped over his chest and snuggled into his side. It was a tight fit, but perfect. I was surrounded by him.
Exactly where I wanted to be.
Forever.
SULLY
Autumn fell asleep, finally relaxing into my arms. I gazed down at her, brushing her hair away from her face, frowning at the bruises. Wishing I could have inflicted more pain on the man who’d put them there. Caused him the fear that she experienced.
But she had been my priority, and I knew she always would be. I worried about the implications of what had occurred. Her mental health. Her bruises would fade, her injuries gradually heal, but would she be able to get over what had happened?
I knew Finn had a therapist that both Una and Anna had seen after their ordeals. I would talk to him and find out if she had a colleague she could recommend in Scotland. I would do anything to help Autumn heal from this.