Page 93 of Lachlan

Lachlan tossed the gun to Britt, then lunged forward, catching Wesley by the throat before he could recover. They crashed to the floor, the impact knocking the wind from the PISCO agent. Lachlan drove his fist into Wesley's jaw, feeling bone crack beneath his knuckles.

"You put a bomb on my daughter," he growled, punctuating each word with another blow. "You threatened my family."

Wesley's bloody fingers clutched the remote, trying to keep it out of reach. Lachlan grabbed his wrist, slamming it against the concrete floor until the device clattered free. He kicked it across the room.

Sebastian, Everett, and Rocco poured through the doorway, weapons drawn and trained on Wesley.

"It's over, Thomas," Sebastian said, his voice cold and professional.

Wesley laughed through bloodied teeth, struggling to sit up as Lachlan released him. "You think it's over? PISCOs will be swarming this place in minutes." His eyes darted between them. "You're all dead men."

"Not likely," Everett said, unmoved by the threat.

“Quattro is topside," Rocco added. "Your PISCO friends will have a warm welcome waiting."

Lachlan turned away from Wesley, his focus entirely on Britt. She stood rooted to the spot, the explosive vest a grotesque accessory against her.

"Let's get this off you," he murmured, carefully examining the crude device. His fingers worked methodically, disconnecting wires with surgical precision. The vest's weight was considerable—designed to maximize casualties while ensuring the wearer couldn't escape. He felt sick, knowing it had been on Paloma first.

"I thought," Britt's voice cracked. "I thought you'd taken her and gone."

"Is that what you think of me?" Lachlan asked softly, lifting the vest from her shoulders. "That I'd leave you here to die?"

He placed the deactivated device carefully in the corner.

Britt's face crumpled. "I wanted you to. I wanted you both safe." Tears streamed freely down her cheeks now. "This was my mess to fix."

Lachlan eased the weapon from her hands, then pulled her into his arms, one hand cradling the back of her head as she collapsed against him. "No more sacrifices. Not from you."

"Paloma?" she whispered against his chest.

"Safe. With Kane and Adonis." He tilted her face up to his. "She gave you my necklace.” He grabbed the charm, flipping it between his fingers.

“She told me you’d protect me.” A watery smile broke through her tears.

“Smart girl,” Lachlan replied, then captured her lips with his.

The kiss was soft, gentle—a sweet caress in the aftermath of the terror they'd both endured. When they finally broke apart, both were breathless.

"I love you," Britt whispered. "I've never stopped loving you."

"Not even when you couldn't remember me?" Lachlan asked, his thumbs wiping tears from her cheeks.

"Especially then," she said. "My mind forgot, but my heart never did."

Sebastian cleared his throat. "We need to move. Now."

Lachlan nodded, keeping an arm around Britt's waist. "Get her out of here," he said to Sebastian. "Take her to Paloma."

Britt stiffened beside him. "What about you?"

"I'll be right behind you," Lachlan said, his gaze drifting to Wesley, who was now secured with zip ties, Everett standing guard over him.

She followed his line of sight, understanding dawning in her eyes. "What are you going to do?"

He didn’t respond.

Britt searched his face, then nodded once.