Page 28

Saul

I pushed Bear closer to her and moved my pillows along her body, pausing to look at her moonlit face as she slept.

We talked, I probed, and she spilled.

I needed her words to justify the lives I would take.

She was about to turn twenty-four years old, and it shattered my heart to pieces when she told me what he did to her on her birthday every year.

It would take everything in me not to kill him tonight. He needed to live for ten years.

For her.

I could do it for her sake.

Maeve O’Neill, the girl who lived through it all.

I gently pressed my lips over the scar on her forehead, ignoring the black button eyes on me.

I left the house, hugging Sean on my way out.

Seeing his jaw fall open as I walked away from him was worth it.

Dylan was waiting in the van.

I glanced back to see Maggie and Gavin zip-tied and gagged.

Their deaths would be slow and by starvation. Athill was my main target. I enjoyed hearing the panic and muffled cries in the back. They weren't quite as loud on the motorway.

I pulled my phone out and texted my brother.

Me: I left you some grapefruits on the kitchen counter. Help yourself.

Sean: I hate you.

Nah, he loved me.

I grinned and put my phone in my pocket before discussing the night’s details with Dylan.

**

His cameras were disabled, and doors lay open.

I took my time walking through his house.

His disappearance would make waves across every newspaper outlet, so it took me longer than anticipated to plan his abduction.

Michael’s work had been impeccable.

My company was profitable, and I was comfortable enough to retire, but this twisted fuck was the CEO of a global firm.

Additionally, he had his own company in the U.K.

He thought he was untouchable because of his wealth and stature.

I reached his bedroom and pulled the material of my balaclava over my mouth before I twisted the doorknob, rolling my eyes at the gold knob.

Dickhead.

His life was about to change. I smiled and pushed open the door, slamming it against the wall. He jerked up, and I switched the light on. Maeve's dark-haired, blue-eyed devil didn't look too brave with a gun aimed at his head.

“Who are you? What—”

His nasally posh voice pissed me off. My finger jumped on the trigger, and the gun fired. I watched as I hit his neck. My aim was still good after all those years. I pressed the button on my radio.

“Thanks for the tranquilliser idea, D. I would have killed him for sure. Over,”

I said before I ran to the bed, grabbed his ankle and pulled him off the bed.

I enjoyed the sound of his body and head hitting the floor. He was given the same treatment when coming down the stairs, but I paused when Dylan’s message came through.

“Good to hear it. We have a problem at the garage. Over,”

he said before the crackling transmission ended.

“On my way. Secure and don't move. Over and out,”

I said, pushing Atill down the rest of the stairs before hoisting him over my shoulder.

After I tossed him into the van with the others and jogged to the garage before I bolted downstairs, Dylan stood beside the door.

There were two doors, and the open one had a shower room.

I knew why Dylan was standing outside the closed door.

In all my planning, I never considered that Athill would find a replacement for Maeve.

I opened the door to see a slim, blonde-haired girl rocking back and forth as she sat in the corner of the room.

She wasn’t on the bed, and I didn’t blame her.

“D call Dr Aria and keep the girl with you tonight,”

I told him.

“Me? But—”

“You know, trauma. We all do. Use it to help her,”

I snapped at him.

He knew I wasn't angry at him but the situation. I slowly walked toward the girl and crouched close but not within arm's length. I knew what to say to get a reaction.

“What’s your name?”

Her head snapped up, and there was nothing but terror in them.

“My fiancee was kept here for seven years,”

I said but waited for her to process my words.

She searched my eyes, no doubt wondering if this was one of his games.

“She was brave enough to share her name, and one day you will too.

We are here to get you out of this grey hellhole.

D is going to help you and get a doctor for you. We can't share our names because, after today, the man who did this to you is about to disappear.”

Tears poured down her eyes.

I didn't miss the fact that she had blue eyes, but her nose and cheekbones were different.

“M-my name is—Daisy,”

she said, shuddering the word out.

I waved Dylan over.

“Good girl, D is going to carry you upstairs, okay?”

She nodded her head vigorously but shook like a leaf as Dylan scooped her up.

“Give me a minute,”

I said to Dylan, who nodded and left the room. I slowly walked around the room.

The shitty bed, toilet, wooden table and a small cloth wardrobe.

I looked at every wall, crack, and mark, trying to imagine being locked in this room for seven years.

There was no air, no windows, nothing.

I messaged Dom to tell him about Daisy and took pictures of the room. Unable to resist, I gave the room a final glance.

I had no idea what I had done to deserve Maeve’s presence in my life.

She gave me the opportunity to save another girl’s life.

It wouldn't make up for the ones that I took, but I planned to keep Maeve happy no matter what it took.

Due to the complications, I stayed out much later than anticipated.

Grayson got involved, but it was fun to watch him and Dylan butt heads.

The girl opted to stay with Dylan.

I stripped out of my gear before I snuck into my room. The bed was—

“Uff,”

I said as Maeve knocked my breath out.

She was shivering all over, and I pulled her up until she wrapped her limbs around me, walking us to the bed.

“Shh, baby. It’s done. You never need to worry again,”

I whispered, carrying her to our bed.

“You didn't—”

she started to say, but a sob burst out, and I sat us on the bed.

“I thought he hurt you.”

“Not even close, sweetheart,”

I said, rubbing her back up and down as I thought about his mangled face.

“Not even close.”

I was glad she couldn't see my face.