His voice drops to a growl, feral and full of heat.
“You made me own you. And now there’s no escape.”
He pulls back, and Istareat him.
No one speaks. Not for a full minute.
“Flynn took you to keep you safe,” Viviana says softly, stepping between us. “He knew—weallknew—you were going to leave, but Autumn, you’ve done that before, and the stalker never left.”
Her words fight to get through the echo of Flynn’s voice still twisting in my mind.
I finally look at her. “Tell me, Autumn… did he ever do something like the fire or the brick before?”
It takes me a second to catch up. “No. He used to send letters with threats when he was upset about something I did. When they got more frequent, I’d move.”
“That means he’s escalating. Getting furious. And more dangerous,” Declan says, his voice low. I nod, numb.
I turn to him. “Will you let me go once the stalker is found?”
Declan doesn’t answer.
No one does until Viviana grabs my hand.
“They will. Or help me, God, I’ll cut their heads off.”
She squeezes my hand. “I promise. You’re safe with us.”
My voice shakes as I ask, “Can I stay with you and Declan?”
She looks at him.
“You’re safer here. With Flynn. He can protect you.” She lets out a breath like it hurts to say it.
So I’msaferwith Flynn than with the Irish Mafia’s leader?
Right.
I’m not stupid. Flynn wants me here, and Declan’s letting him have me.
“If you need anything, call me,” Viviana says, hugging me again. I just nod.
She turns to Flynn and tells him something in Italian I don’t understand.
The corner of his mouth lifts barely.
The Callaghans leave, and I’m left in this place. WithFlynn andhis men.
I turn to look at him over my shoulder, glaring. “You’ll never own me, Flynn. I don’t care who you are.”
He moves before I can blink.
His hand wraps around my waist, pulling me back against him hard enough to make me gasp.
“We’ll see about that.”
He lets go just as fast, stepping in front of me again, facing me head-on.
His eyes are calm, but I can feel theviolencebehind them, the control it takes for him to stay composed.
