Page 69 of Niall

Roman followed, pinning him down, his gun on his forehead.

Finn charged toward the closet, as I tore through the room, looking for Anna.

“Niall,” Finn spoke. “Here.”

I passed Roman and Aldo, who were dragging Juan to his feet, him cursing and protesting.

“Handcuff him to the chair. Tape his mouth.”

At the door, I froze. Heidi stood at the back of a closet, facing Finn and me, Anna in front of her, a knife to her throat. Anna’s hands were tied in the front with cable ties, useless and injured. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she was swaying on her feet. Fresh bruises and cuts marred her skin, and my rage became a living, breathing thing.

Finn’s gun was aimed at Heidi, his arm steady. But the cowardly bitch knew exactly how to hold Anna for the most protection.

I met Anna’s terrified eyes. They pleaded with me to help. To end this.

“Let her go, Heidi. This is not going to end well for you, and how it does is up to your next move.”

She laughed. “Oh, you’ll kill me, but I’ll kill her first.” She pressed the knife harder, a line of blood appearing on Anna’s neck.

“Then we’ll make it long and painful for you,” Finn promised.

Heidi glared, and I saw Anna’s eyes drop then flick back up, meeting mine. She dropped them again, and I saw Finn glance down. He gave a barely there tilt of his chin, and it happened.

Anna lifted her foot, stomping on Heidi’s instep, making her shout, distracted. She grabbed at Anna, who bent low, falling to the side. Instantly, I lunged, grabbing Anna and pulling her out of the way as the sound of a gun echoed in the room.

I turned as Heidi slid to the floor, dead, the knife still clutched in her hand. Blood pooled around her head, her eyes staring ahead, lifeless.

Anna crumpled in my arms, and I held her as Finn dropped beside us, cutting off the cable ties. Her skin was bruised and broken in places, the unforgiving plastic embedded deeply.

I cupped her face. “I have you, mo mhuirnín. I have you.”

She smiled, her lips trembling, her voice rough. “You found me.”

I pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “Always.”

She sighed a long exhale of air and went limp in my arms. I met Finn’s gaze. “You take her. You keep her safe.”

He indicated the other room. “I can do it, Niall. You stay with her.”

I carefully transferred her to his arms. “No. I’m sending him to hell.” I stood. “And this time, he’s not coming back. But I don’t want her waking and hearing what I do.”

He nodded, lifting her slowly and following me.

Back in the garish room, I spoke to Aldo. “Go with Finn. Call your men.”

“There is already a car downstairs. The men are waiting for their instructions,” Roman stated.

“Make sure she is safe.”

Aldo nodded. “With my life.”

They left, and I heard the door click behind them.

“Take off the tape.”

Juan’s gaze was fixed behind me. I bent closer, meeting his angry gaze. “She’s dead.”

He stayed silent.