"I warned you not to cross me, Finn. And you did just that. You threw away every fucking thing we've built because of that..." Declan says, pointing to me. I shake my head, pleading with my tear-filled eyes that he doesn't hurt Finn.
Finn's jaw is clenched. "I didn't throw away anything," Finn spits.
Declan sighs, shaking his head. "You think I don't know you went to the safe house with her? Then afterwards, you met with Vito Rosso to plan against me."
He knows we met Vito. My heart races, fear eating into my soul.
Finn's brow knots. Declan scoffs. "Yeah, Finn. I know everything. I just didn't think you would betray me."
Declan signals to William and James with a nod. In a flash, James's fist slams into Finn's ribs with a sickening thud. Finn grunts, bending slightly, but he doesn't fall. Another punch. This time, his jaw. His head jerks to the side, and blood spills from his lips.
"Stop it," I scream, lunging forward, but William shoves me back. James keeps going. Blow after blow, fist thudding against Finn's body like drums of war. Finn growls in pain, teeth gritted, blood painting his skin. He's trying to stay up, trying to reach me, but James is too strong.
"Don't touch him!" I scream again, tears filling my eyes, desperate and helpless. "Leave him alone!" Finn locks eyes with me for a split second. His expression is agony, but it's mine that shatters.
"How can you do this? He's your brother!" I scream. My voice cracks, panic rises in my chest like waves trying to drown me. His eyes meet mine, and I've never hated someone so much.
"There's no crime worse than betrayal. Take her to my room," he says to William.
Finn hears this and tries to reach for me. "What? No... Finn!" I shout, twisting away, but William grabs me hard.
"Let me go! You bastard, don't touch me!" I thrash wildly, nails digging, but William just hauls me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. I scream, kick, and cry, my voice cracking. "Finn! Stop hurting him!" But James doesn't stop. As William carries me down the hall, Finn's pained groans echo behind us.
I've never felt so powerless. So ripped in two.
CHAPTER 27
Gianna
I made him do it.I made him return to this fucking place and now he's hurt. I thrash against William's back, my eyes tracing the lines of the hallway that leads to Declan's room.
"Stop squirming, Princess." He adjusts me against himself, and his shoulder presses into my stomach, making a deep groan escape me. This is nothing compared to the hell Finn is going through. This is all my fault.
The door to Declan's room creaks open, and William steps inside with me still slung over his shoulder like a sack of grain. The space is dim and cold. Without a word, he throws me down. I land hard on my butt, the impact sending a sharp pain up my spine.
I wince, biting my lip to keep from crying out, but William's voice cuts sharper than pain.
"Did you think you could just walk in here and play us without consequences?" William says with a smirk. "I've always wanted to punch that bastard since that day. Thank you for making my dream come true."
He doesn't wait for a response. He steps back, hands on the door. "I wonder what Declan will do to you." The door slams shut.
"No, wait!" I rush forward, trying to catch it before it closes, but it's too fast. My hand smacks the edge of the door, and a dull throb spreads through my fingers as it locks with a click. "Shit..." I whisper, pressing my sore hand to my chest.
I back away slowly, my breath catching as silence consumes the room. My back hits the door. I slide down, the cold wood grounding me even as everything else spins. I bring my knees to my chest, arms wrapped around them, and I sit there, trembling.
Tears blur my vision, but I refuse to cry. Tiny gasps of fear escape me. Finn is out there, hurt, maybe worse.
And I'm in here, locked away, with no idea what Declan plans to do next. My chest aches with helplessness. I shake my head, lifting myself up. There has to be something I can do. I pace back and forth, thinking of something, anything. I need to get to Finn and make sure he's okay.
Then it hits me, the secret passageway. My eyes scan the room searching for it. I start with the walls behind the bed. I move closer and put my ear to it. My hand runs along the surface, tapping for any hollow sound, nothing.
I search every corner of the room. My pulse races as I step into what looks like Declan's study. It's dimly lit, just a single desk lamp illuminating the organized chaos of papers and expensive pens. I check behind the drawers. Locked. I try behind his desk, underneath it, feeling along the edges. Still no clue.
Frustrated, I step back, my eyes scanning the walls, and that's when they fall on a tall bookshelf. Floor-to-ceiling. For a second, I look away, but then I remember Finn. The night he pushed his bookshelf aside to reveal a safe in his room. I rush forward and run my hand along the edges of the bookshelf.
I push once, nothing. I adjust my angle and push again, harder. A soft click sounds. The shelf groans as it shifts, sliding aside on hidden rails, revealing a dim hallway behind it. My breath catches. I found it.
Without hesitation, I slip inside. I walk down the hall trying to find the elevator. It shouldn't be too hard since there aren't any corners. I can take the elevator down to the garage and take the stairs to Declan's office.
