Page 4 of Niall

Dr. Barnes leaned close, asking Anna something. She shook her head wildly. “No,” she said, her voice insistent.

Dr. Barnes nodded and sat back.

“I don’t think your ribs are broken, but you’ll be sore for a while. I want you to take some vitamins, eat well, and drink as much as you can. I also suggest some electrolytes. No alcohol or too much caffeine for a few days. Lots of rest. No stress.”

“I’ll make sure of it,” I assured him, then wanted to kick myself. I wasn’t her caregiver.

Yet the thought of someone else caring for her didn’t sit well with me.

He left some painkillers, a list of vitamins and supplements, plus the name of the same therapist he’d given Finn for Una. “Watch her, Niall. If she complains of pain in her ribs past the next couple of days, we’ll do an X-ray.”

“Maybe we should do one anyway.”

He shook his head. “If I thought they were broken, I would, but I think just very bruised and sore. She will be very, ah, vulnerable for the next while.”

“Vulnerable?” I asked.

“Emotional. Maybe clingy.”

“I understand.”

He left, and I rested my head on the door as I closed it.

I didn’t really understand at all. I had no idea how to care for someone who was vulnerable. Emotional. Clingy.

Then it hit me that no one was asking me to. Now that she was clean, dressed, and had seen a doctor, I could take her downstairs and hand her over to the team. They would help her, get her back on her feet.

My phone buzzed with a message from Finn.

Have you taken Anna downstairs?

I looked at the screen, then over to the woman on the sofa. Defenseless, scared, and unsure. But looking at me with total and complete trust.

No. She’s staying here.

CHAPTER TWO

NIALL

Finn showed up with Una, informing me she wanted to see Anna. From Anna’s response to her, it was obvious the feeling was mutual. We left them together on the sofa, their hands clasped, talking quietly.

We sat at the table, sipping whiskey. Finn’s gaze kept straying to Una as if he were worried she’d suddenly disappear.

“She’s safe,” I assured him, touching his shoulder. “We got her.”

He sighed, visibly relaxing as if he’d needed to hear the words.

“I’m never letting her out of my sight again.”

“I understand.” I stared at Anna for a moment, meeting Finn’s questioning gaze. I shook my head. “I can’t get more than five feet from her and she becomes upset,” I explained, keeping my voice low. “I couldn’t take her downstairs. I stood inside the fucking bathroom facing the door while she showered to keep her calm.”

“Una is reacting the same.”

“But Anna doesn’t know me,” I replied, confused.

“Una probably talked about you. You carried her out of hell, Niall. It makes sense she feels safe with you.”

Unable to stop myself, I looked over at Anna again. She glanced up, our eyes locking, and then she lowered her head, tilting her face to Una. They were both dressed in clothing too big for them. Our clothing. As if we were surrounding them even when we were ten feet away.