He runs his hand through his hair, like he's unraveling and trying to hold it together. "But if I did and the Italians decided not to engage, then it would have been a total waste." I squint through the haze in my vision, trying to understand where he's going.
"I have an even better plan..." his voice darkens. "I'll kill you, Finn, and make it seem like the Italians did it." My breath stutters. There it is.
Bingo.
"The Irish would have no option but to go to war to avenge you," he adds, almost thoughtfully, like it's poetry.
"You can't kill me, Declan," I whisper, pushing out the words through bloodied lips.
"Oh, trust me. I can and I will. You're no longer useful to me."
I keep my face still. "It's against our rule. You know it."
"I don't care about a fucking rule. I'll get what I want if it means sacrificing your life."
And that is the line that will destroy him.
I close my eyes, the weight of physical and mental exhaustion pulling me under like a riptide. My body feels like it's been torn open and sewn back together with fire. This is what I wanted him to say. This was the plan. But God, why does it sting to hear him say that? I know Declan. He's telling the truth and won't hesitate to use me to get to his goal.
I feel his presence shift, his shoes scrape the concrete as he steps closer, looming over me like a shadow I can't escape. "You stood by the girl, fought for her, and protected her, and in the end, she deserted you." He crouches, his face close enough that I can feel his breath fan across my bloodied skin. "She played you for a fool, Finn, and now you'll face the consequence of being a fool."
I force my eyes open, even though it feels like lifting boulders. "Go to hell, Declan," I say, my breath barely scraping past the tightness in my chest.
"I'll meet you there... after I send you first."
That is the last thing I hear before his fist crashes into my jaw. A crack explodes behind my eyes, and pain radiates through my entire skull like a scream. My body crumples to the floor. Darkness rushes to meet me, and I don't fight it. I only pray Gianna got it all. That's all that matters now.
CHAPTER 31
Gianna
I cover my mouth,trying to stop the sounds from escaping my lips as Declan hits and shoves Finn. As Declan leaves the room, I press pause on the recording, tucking it in my pocket. My heart races, worry radiating off me as I walk into the room, rushing to Finn's side.
I look towards the door before my eyes land on him again. "Finn," I whisper, fear consuming my entire being. Is he alive? Why isn't he waking up? I shake him slightly. "Finn," I call again, and he doesn't answer. Panic surges in my veins. I place my hand on his chest and feel his heartbeat.
Relief floods through me. I look around, thinking of how I'm going to get him out of here. I position myself in front of him, pulling one arm over my shoulder before doing the same for the other.
I grab hold of both arms, mustering all the energy I have to pull him. He doesn't budge at first, and I take a deep breath, trying again. I can't and won't leave this place without him. I pull again, and his body moves.
A small smile tugs at my lips. I continue to drag him, my back and muscles hurting, but it can't be compared to the torture Finnhas suffered. After successfully dragging him into the entrance, I close the passageway. I don't want anyone coming after us.
I lean on my knees, breathing hard to catch my breath. I glance at the elevator down the hallway. I just need to get there and take the elevator down. Ailish will be there to help. Hopefully, she didn't just give up and leave.
I turn to Finn. "We're almost there," I whisper, like he can actually hear what I say. I repeat the same process of raising his arms over my shoulders to drag him. I continue to drag him for some minutes, panting heavily, back hurting, chest aching, lungs burning. But we finally reach the elevator. I manage to drag him in, easing him down so his head rests in my lap, and press the button. I sink against the back wall, catching my breath. Finn doesn't stir.
I keep touching Finn to make sure he's still breathing. The elevator dings open and like Ailish promised, she's there waiting.
"Oh my God," she whispers, her eyes going wide. I never thought I would say these words to Ailish.
"Thank you for waiting," I say, and something flashes across her eyes, but quickly disappears.
She raises her brow. "What are you waiting for, Princess. Move." She steps into the elevator and crouches, hooking her arms under Finn's shoulders. I scramble out from under him, take his ankles, and together we lift him out of the elevator and toward her car. I keep glancing over my shoulder, and I notice Ailish does the same.
We finally reach the door, and she reaches for the back seat with one hand. The door pops open, and we manage to put him in the car. I enter after him as Ailish moves to the driver's seat.
She starts the engine, and I lean forward. "Finn needs medical attention," I say, the panic evident in my voice. "Got it.I'll call someone who can help," she says before facing forward. "Where are we headed?"
I give her the address to the bungalow house—the one Finn said Declan doesn't know about. I need to get out of here more than anything in the world.
