The priest looks from me to Barone and nods.
“What? No, wait…” Barone takes two steps to stop the priest and freezes when the men all whip their guns around to point at him. “What the fuck?” he yells. But he holds up his hand. The other one is still clutching Sam’s arm in a tight grip.
There’s confusion swirling in her eyes as they meet mine. I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. Then I continue walking toward them until only a few feet separate us. I can smell his fear even as he puffs out his chest, trying to act like he still has the upper hand.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Michael hisses. “You have no idea who you’re fucking with, you Irish trash.”
I nod. “But I do, yeah. You’re the guy who’s an FBI informant, feedin’ information to the feds about the Amato’s organ trafficking ring. Yeah, they got photos of your meetin’ and everything. Not too smart, mate.”
He opens his mouth and then snaps it shut. He glances around at Amato’s men. I can see the gears turning as he realizes he was set up. “You fucking bastard. You’re a dead man.”
Sam stiffens and a little whimper echoes in the quiet room.
I snort. “Someday, yeah. Just not today.” I jerk my head toward Barone. “Boys.”
The two closest soldiers rush forward, each pressing the barrel of their gun to Barone’s temple.
My humor is gone. My tone is deadly serious as I command, “Get your fuckin’ hand off my girl. Now.”
His nostrils flare, his eyes lock on mine as he weighs his options and finding none, pushes Sam toward me. “Enjoy the damage I inflicted.”
She falls into me, and I wrap my arms around her. It’s the best feeling in the world, having her back where she belongs. I run my hand along her back. She flinches and her whole body begins to tremble.
I still. He fuckin’ beat her. I squeeze my eyes shut as I try to keep the absolute fury out of my voice when I whisper, “It’s all good now, love. You’re safe.”
She lifts her head, her tear-filled eyes searching mine. Then the tears spill as she mouths, “Thank you.”
I kiss her forehead and keep my arm wrapped around her shoulder. Then I turn my attention back to the fucker who put her through hell. “Let’s get him secured, lads. And moved to the basement. I hear the accommodations down there will be to my likin’.”
I watch, satisfied as one of the soldiers cuts a cord from a lamp and uses it to bind Barone’s hands behind his back.
Chapter 51
Samantha
Istill can’t believe Killian is here. I feel like I’m having an out of body experience as I watch a cursing, fighting Michael suspended from chains embedded in the basement ceiling. It’s chilly down here and damp. One hanging bulb is puddling light in the center of the small room. There’s an old table and two chairs in the corner. Other than that, the room is bare.
My back is pressed against Killian’s chest, his arms wrapped around me. His heat at my bruised back is giving me the courage to look Michael in the eyes. There’s so much I want to say to him, but I know none of it would matter. He has no remorse. No feelings. Nothing can change the monster he is.
We found Rona having dinner in the kitchen under Talula’s guard. Luckily, she was unharmed. Two of the Italian soldiers headed out and took Talula with them. Apparently, she’s part of the Amato family. And after the happy reunion with Rona, we left her in the care of another soldier while we deal with Michael and search for Celia.
Unfortunately, our search of the house was unsuccessful.
Killian presses a kiss to the top of my head and steps around me. He addresses the soldiers who strung Michael up. “Thanks, boys. I got it from here if you don’t mind joining my lads outside.” He shakes their hands, still holding mine. Hehasn’t stopped touching me in some way since he got me away from Michael.
Suddenly we all freeze as a noise echoes from deeper in the basement.
I stop breathing and cock my head. I notice Killian does the same. It comes again. A soft, keening cry.
Killian taps one of the men on the shoulder, points to Michael. “You stay. Watch him.” Then the rest of us move cautiously down the hallway, through a second empty room and eventually out into a third. There’s barred cells in this one.
Killian nudges me behind him.
It’s dark. The smell of mold and rot permeates the stale, biting air.
“Search for a light,” Killian instructs.
A moan echoes from the depths of the dark cells. “Someone is in there,” I whisper to Killian. Could it be Celia?
