Page 22 of Niall

“Like that,” I pointed out.

Then we were all laughing.

The waiter brought over coffee, and Finn cleared his throat, addressing me. He told me about the chance to work in the hotel, learn and be paid at the same time. I was surprised at the magnanimous gesture, feeling somewhat overwhelmed. He mistook my surprise as being distraught.

“It’s only an offer, Anna,” he explained, his voice gentle. “Maybe you had plans to return up north or another idea?”

“Oh no,” I said. “I had been dreading trying to find a job, and I would love to stay here. I’d get to work with Una?”

“Yes, and the other staff. You’d be in guest services. Trained and paid while doing so.” Finn looked at Niall, indicating he should join in the conversation.

“And you’d get to live in the hotel,” Niall added, turning to me.

“I would?”

Finn cleared his throat. “I’m indebted to you, Anna. You and Una developed a friendship while you were, ah, trapped. She told me if it weren’t for you, she would have gone mad.”

“She was equally good to me,” I replied. “She tried to protect me from, um, him.”

My hand was shaking as I reached for my coffee. Simply thinking of Juan upset me. Niall shifted closer, draping his arm over the back of my chair.

“He can’t hurt you anymore,” he assured me.

“But what if he comes looking for me?” I asked, worried. “And hurts Una? I can’t stay here and risk that.”

Niall and Finn exchanged a look, and Finn nodded. Leaning forward, Niall spoke quietly, telling Una and me that Juan was dead.

“You’re sure?” I asked, my voice thick.

“They can’t ID him since there was no way to fingerprint him and no DNA in any system. But the fact that he was so close to the track and had a gunshot, the coincidence is too great,” Finn replied with confidence. “Plus, he was wearing those hideous sneakers.”

“Why no fingerprints?” Una asked.

Finn cleared his throat. “Mother Nature has a way of removing them.”

Una looked puzzled, then her eyes went wide. “Oh. Oh.”

Confused, I looked at her, and Una mimed biting her nails. Theatrically. For a moment, I was startled, and then I turned my face, coughing to cover a little laugh. One animal destroyed by another one.

“He deserved it,” Una stated.

I nodded, shifting in my chair to face Niall. I felt his hands playing in my hair, trying to comfort me.

“Maybe we should discuss it?” I asked.

“It’s your decision. I think you’d like it here. Great staff. And you’d be safe.” His gaze was reassuring, and I had the feeling he wanted me to take the offer.

I turned back to Finn. “I accept.”

“Great. I’ll get the paperwork in order with HR. You can take a little more time to recover and start next week.”

“Okay.”

Niall stood. “You look pale and should probably lie down.”

I stood as well, hesitating, then leaned down and hugged Finn. “Thank you, Finn. I see why you’re Una’s hero.”

He was stiff for a moment, then returned the gesture. “Thank you.”