Page 72 of Niall

“Yes.”

“It’s over?” I pleaded, gripping his shirt, trembling.

He sat on the bed, gently lifting me into his arms, crooning my name. “It’s over.”

And I wept.

The doctor came in, examined me, removed the oxygen, and capped off the IV. When I asked when I could leave, he patted my hand. “Soon.”

I wanted soon to be now.

He spoke with Niall, then left. A few moments later, a nurse came in with a basin of warm water and some towels. She left after making sure I had ice water to drink and didn’t need anything.

“How long was I out?” I asked, as Niall gently washed my face with a soft cloth.

He frowned. “Two days. The doctor was worried about your head, but they did a CT scan and there was no swelling in your brain. He told us you needed to rest, that your body needed the time to start healing.” He met my eyes, his still anxious. “I hated seeing you like that.”

“I know,” I whispered, stilling his movements. “I’m okay, Niall.”

“You will be,” he assured me, bending down to press a tender kiss to my mouth. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“You said us.”

“What?”

“You said ‘the doctor told us.’ Who is us?”

“Finn and Una were here until a few hours ago when you started to wake up. They thought we’d want privacy. Roman and Effie were here.” He indicated flowers in the corner. “Aldo and Vi were here as well.”

“Oh.”

“Everyone was concerned.”

“What about the hotel?”

He set aside the cloth and sat down. “It was obvious something had happened and it involved you. Finn told them there had been an attempted abduction, but you were safe. Everyone was horrified but so glad you’re all right.”

“Okay.” I shifted, trying to pull myself up and grimacing.

He stood and helped me.

“My shoulders hurt the most.”

He looked angry, but his voice was calm. “I know. I want you to stay on top of the pain meds. I hate seeing you in discomfort. When we get home, I’ll have a massage therapist in for you daily.”

I didn’t respond, and he sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you coming home with me, Anna?”

“What?”

“I’m sure you’re thinking how dangerous my world is now. If you’ve changed your mind⁠—”

I stopped him by covering his mouth. “Stop it. Because of your world, I am here. Alive and with you. I was taken before I knew you. He came after me again because of his obsession. Both times, you rescued me. I’m grateful for ‘your world.’” I drew in a deep breath. “And I love you. I never want to leave you.”

He was silent.

“I knew you’d come for me. Find me. I believed that the same way Una knew Finn would find her. Because of you, I had hope.” I touched his hand. “And I was right. You found me.”

I watched as emotions crossed his face. I was shocked to see tears in his eyes. He took my hand, kissing the palm and holding it to his cheek. “I thought I’d lost you. Even after we got you out, you were so lifeless in my arms—I was terrified.” A tear rolled over my hand as he spoke. “I can’t lose you, Anna. You have become so ingrained in my heart. The thought of anything happening to you tears me up inside, and I⁠—”