Ronan reaches for my shoulders, steering me toward an SUV. “We’re going to make sure Desmond is secure, and then you’re going to see a doctor. No questions. Come on, Annie. You need to get out of the cold.”
“But—” I try to protest, but Ronan is gently but firmly ushering me into the car. He’s in full older-brother mode, making sure I’m safe, getting me warm, getting me inside, and I know I should be grateful for it. But all I can think is that I need to get to Elio. I need to talk to him, before Ronan wreaks whatever vengeance he has in mind for everything Elio kept from him.
I’m safe. The baby is safe.
But nothing is going to be okay until I know that Elio will be, too.
29
ANNIE
We arrive at one of Ronan's warehouses on the outskirts of the city just as dawn is breaking. The sky is streaked with pink and orange, beautiful in a way that feels wrong after the night we've had.
There are already several vehicles here—Ronan's men must have arrived ahead of us. Desmond is being dragged out of one SUV, and I see Elio surrounded by guards, his jaw set and his face furious. My heart leaps in my chest, and I press one hand to the window, reaching for the door as soon as the SUV rolls to a stop.
“You don’t need to get out,” Ronan says firmly. “I’m going to go make sure Desmond is secure, and then I’m going to get you home. A doctor will meet us there. You need a full check-up. You’ve been through hell, Annie, and we need to make sure that you’re okay.” He pauses, and his face is so full of worry, so full of love, that I almost soften for a moment. “I need you to be okay.”
"I will be," I say quickly. "But first?—"
"First, nothing." His voice is firm. "You need to be checked out."
"I know. And I will be. But first, I need to see what happens with Desmond. And with Elio."
His jaw tightens. "Annie?—"
"Don't." I unbuckle my seatbelt and turn to face him fully. "Don't try to protect me from this, Ronan. Don't try to shield me or send me away like I'm a child. You know better than that. You’ve never treated me like that before, so don’t start now. Desmond kidnapped me. Killed people protecting me. Threatened to kill you and Elio. I have a right to be part of what happens next."
"You don't need to see?—"
"Yes, I do." My voice is hard, exhausted. "This is my life, Ronan, that he tried to take away. My choice. And I choose to be there." I try to soften my tone, just a little. “I’m sorry for everything that happened. For all the wrong choices I’ve made in this. But I need to see what happens to him. I can’t…. I can’t let this go, otherwise.”
He studies my face for a long moment, and I can see the conflict in his eyes—the protective brother warring with the man who respects my agency.
"Alright," he says finally. "But if it gets to be too much?—"
"I'll leave." I open the car door. "I promise."
We get out, and Elio is immediately there, crossing the distance between vehicles, shoving past the guards. "Annie!"
"I'm okay." I let him pull me into his arms, breathing in the scent of him like gasps of air. I never want to let him go again. "I'm okay."
"Boss." One of Ronan's men approaches. "Desmond is secured inside. He’s stable and awake."
"Good." Ronan's voice is cold. "I want him conscious for what comes next."
The man nods and heads back inside.
"Elio," Ronan says, and there's something in his voice that makes my stomach drop. He looks over at one of his men. "Finn, I need you to take Elio back to?—"
"No." The word is out of my mouth before I can think about it.
Ronan turns to me. "Annie?—"
"No," I repeat, moving to stand beside Elio. "You're not taking him anywhere."
"This isn't your decision?—"
"The hell it isn't." I can feel anger rising, hot and fierce. "Elio saved your life tonight. Saved mine. And you want to… what? Lock him up somewhere? Hurt him? For what? For protecting me?"
