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“Turn around,” Finn said.

Darien complied, but kept his head turned, keeping watch over Loren as Finn shimmied the key in and unlocked the cuffs.

The second they were off, he felt his magic expand, like a squished lung that was finally able to draw a full breath.

He turned back around?—

And came face to face with Glen.

Now that the cuffs were off, Glen’s security blanket stripped from his shoulders, the prick rocked back on his heels…

And immediately shut his trap.

Jaw clenched so tightly his teeth ached, Darien slid his focus to Loren. He didn’t blink, his chest heaving, his hands squeezing into fists, as another officer slid a key into her cuffs.

The moment her wrists were bare, Darien was moving, pushing past Glen and stalking across the room. The officers who were in his way wisely stepped aside to let him through, while the few stupid fucks who still had their guns out kept them trained on him, ready to fire.

Darien didn’t spare them one glance—his eyes were all for Loren.

And his girl was looking at him too, practically running across the room toward him.

She opened her arms to him at the same time he opened his.

And then they collided, and she was hugging him, her fingers curling in his shirt, and it was the best thing that had happened to him in days.

He held her tight, bowing over her to bury his face in her soft hair and breathe in her scent, feeling her inviting warmth, her body pressing against his.

“You all right?” His question was hoarse. Frayed, just like his heart felt after watching them drag her in here like she wasn’t worth the dirt under their shoes.

She nodded against his chest, her heart racing so fast he could feel it fluttering. “Yeah,” she whispered. “Yeah, I’m okay. Areyouokay?” Of course she would be thinking of him, the sweetheart she was. “Gods, Darien, you’re shaking.”

Fuck, he was, wasn’t he? Speechless and still in shock, he clung to her, wrapping one arm around her waist, the other hand—shaking, yeah—coming up to cradle the back of her head. He didn’t give a shit that they had an audience—let them watch. Maybe if they saw how much he loved this girl, they wouldn’t dare cross him again. Wouldn’t ever touch what was his.

“Get them the hell out of here!”Glen roared. Of course it was him who’d interrupt.

Finn opened the door, beckoning for them to follow.

Darien felt Loren tug gently against his hold, silently urging him to loosen his grasp on her.

“Come on,” she said softly. “Come on, Darien. Let’s go home.”

He had to force himself to let go of her. He cupped her face, tipping her head back to look her in the eyes.

Safe. Alive.

He kissed her on the forehead before gently spinning her around to face the door Finn held open. Darien kept her in front of him, guarding her from all sides as they left the interrogation room. The two officers accompanying Finn took up the rear while Glen and his people stayed behind.

As they walked down the hallway, Darien threw a black glare over his shoulder?—

And saw Glen stomping out of the room, hands on his hips. He didn’t follow, but he watched with a hateful glare.

Darien glowered back.Prick.

Up ahead, the door to another interrogation room opened, and Atlas walked out, cuffs off.

“All right?” Darien asked him. His muscles were still rigid, his chest burning as if it were filled with acid.

Tanner fell into stride beside him. “Yeah.” Gray eyes flicked between Darien and the beautiful blonde walking in front of him. “You guys?”