Page 96 of Finn

I sprinted to the side where our men still guarded the makeshift cages. “Get these open,” I shouted, dropping to my knees in front of where Una lay, huddled in the corner, her arms wrapped around a small blond woman.

“Una! Mo chroí—it’s over. You’re safe.”

She didn’t move, and I felt the panic that flooded my body. “Una,” I begged. “Please, look at me.”

Finally, she raised her head, and I held out my hand, tamping down my horror at her appearance. She was bruised and battered, her face, arms, and legs showing marks. She was whiter than paper, her eyes sunken. Her hair was tangled, and the robe she was wearing barely covered her torso. She was shivering and terrified, her eyes unable to focus.

Ignoring the commotion behind me, I reached out again. “Come here, my love,” I urged. “Come to me.”

She startled as the bars were raised. Then she met my eyes. I pleaded silently for her to realize it was me—she was safe and I was here.

“Finn,” she breathed out.

I couldn’t wait. I stood and went to her, scooping her into my arms. She made a sound of distress, gripping the other woman’s hand, and I called for Niall, who appeared beside me. “Help,” I instructed, somehow feeling her need. “They have to stay close right now.”

Niall bent, saying something to the woman before lifting her into his arms. She didn’t fight him, burrowing into him instead, her head on his shoulder. He had an odd expression on his face as he pulled her close. “She’s freezing.” He turned, yelling for blankets, and we wrapped the women we were holding as best we could.

Una was a shivering mass of fear in my arms. I had a feeling Niall was experiencing the same reaction.

I lifted Una higher, my lips close to her ear. “I have you, mo chroí. You are safe. No one will touch you now but me.”

The adrenaline began to fade, and I realized how badly I was shaking. I fell back to my knees, holding Una, whispering comforting words, soothing my hand up and down her back.

Around me, our team was busy. Luca led one group down to where we suspected the lab was. Others were checking bodies, removing IDs, prepping for the next step. It was carnage and horrible, but I didn’t care. The world was better without the scum we had eliminated.

Una lifted her head and made a sound of distress. She pushed against my chest.

“Don’t look, sweet girl.”

“B-Brian,” she stammered.

Looking over, I saw her brother. He was sitting against the wall, his head lolling to one side. Blood was seeping rapidly from his stomach. He was staring at her, his expression pleading, his trembling hand stretching in her direction.

Standing, I took her to him, knowing she needed to say goodbye. It was hard to let her go from my arms, and I made sure the blanket was wrapped around her. She dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. She tenderly pushed the hair off his face. “Help is coming,” she cried, her voice rough. She turned to me, desperate. “Right, Finn?”

There was no hope for him, but I nodded. “Yes.”

He tried to smile, blood trickling from his mouth. He shook his head, his eyes suddenly going wide with fear. “No,” he groaned, lifting his arm, the effort costing him the last of his strength.

I spun to see what he was looking at. Lopez was staggering toward us, a gun held in his unsteady hand and aiming for Una. Before I could draw my weapon, Brian shot, the bullet hitting Lopez. The impact spun him around, and he fell face first beside Juan. The sound of the gun going off echoed in the room, startling everyone.

Brian gasped for air, and Una’s sobs became harder as she reached for him, pulling him close and cradling his head in her lap. He looked up at her, an expression of deep sorrow on his face.

“Sing,” he gurgled.

Lowering her head, she sang for him, her voice thick but still beautiful. I watched as the life faded from his eyes, his mouth forming a word before he died.

“Sorry.”

Then he was gone. Una bent, still singing, stroking his hair like a child. I looked around, everyone pausing in their duties to watch the poignant moment.

I was helpless in the face of her pain, wondering how much more she could endure before breaking. I touched her shoulder. “Una, we have to go.”

She looked up. “What?”

“We need to clear everything out. The building is going to blow soon.”

She shook her head wildly, clutching Brian. “No! You can’t—he’s not⁠—”