My knees buckled again, and then he was there, catching me once more before I hit the floor.
I buried my face in the smooth fabric of his jacket, sobs tearing out of me uncontrollably.
His arms wrapped around me, solid, unyielding; caging me against the only place I've ever felt safe.
He pressed his face into my hair, inhaling deeply.
"I've got you," he whispered, voice raw, fierce—breaking in places I'd never heard before. His lips touched my temple, my cheek, finally pressing against mine in a kiss that wasn't about hunger or ownership. It was about coming home.
"Kitten…my kitten. You're safe now, in my arms where you belong."
The month of fear and pain cracked wide open, spilling between us as I clung to him, shaking like a leaf.
He didn't push me to be strong. He just held me, letting me completely fall apart in his arms.
A dark chuckle echoed from the floor. Hector, blood on his lips, watched us with eyes that glimmered with venom.
"Awe," he crooned sarcastically. "Green eyes finally reunited with her assassin kidnapper. Sweet. Kiss her harder, Atlas, maybe she'll forget how hard I fucked her last-night. When she closes—
Atlas's boot pressed down on his neck, cutting him off. His smile was deadly and calm.
"Keep talking, Hector. Every word you spit is another reason to keep you alive longer. You're not dying tonight. You're coming home with me."
I shivered at his tone.
The promise of torture and death hung in the air.
Beside us, Becca let out a broken sob.
Jacob was there instantly, pulling her against his shoulder, wrapping his arms around her small frame.
He bent his head, murmuring low, his voice soothing in a way I'd never have thought he was capable of.
"Easy, sweetheart. You're in good hands now. He can never hurt you again. We'll make sure of that."
Becca's fists bunched into his shirt, her body trembling, but instead of pulling away, she pressed closer, clinging to him like he was her anchor in the storm. His hand smoothed over her back, slow and careful, holding her steady.
Atlas removed his boot from Hector's neck, hugging me closer. I lifted my head from his chest just enough to look up at him. His eyes softened instantly, the hard edge of the assassin fading into something I hadn't seen in many weeks since my captivity….love, naked and unguarded.
"You came for me," I whispered.
His forehead touched mine, his breath warm.
"There was never a chance I wouldn't."
Hector laughed again, low and ugly, even with the threat of Atlas smashing his skull in. I guess the idiot couldn't help himself. "You're all pathetic. All this kissing and hugging. You should have used my method to break green eyes, big bad assassin boyfriend. If you had, she would've been with you instead of at the club the night my brothers took her."
Atlas regarded him calmly, a dark smile curving his lips.
"Like I said, Hector, keep talking. It fuels my anger more. You touched what was mine, and I can promise you, your death will not be quick, or pretty."
Finally, Hector shut his trap. I glimpsed the fleeting look of terror on his face, and I couldn't hide how satisfied I felt at that very moment.
Chapter 25
Rescued
Kitlyn
