“Two in the hall upstairs,” I murmured.
Alessio eyed Lili, then gave me a nod.
“We’ll take care of it and clear the other rooms,” Rafe said.
I carried her down the stairs.
“I can walk.” She lifted her head, her eyes underscored by dark circles.
My arms tightened.
“Please. I…need to walk.”
God, so much strength in such a delicate body. I set her down, hating that her feet were bare and her wrists handcuffed. I also hated seeing the swelling on her face.
Wrapping my arm around her, I led her through the living room. She glanced at the bodies of the unmoving guards on the floor before looking away.
Nash, Bastian, and Landon stood there.
“She okay?” Nash asked.
I lifted my chin. “Got a handcuff key?”
Nash fished one out. I quickly removed the handcuffs, then took one of her hands. When her fingers tightened on mine, my chest felt tight.
“Lili, you’ve met Landon. These are my friends, Nash Oakley and Bastian Thorne. Alessio and Rafe are upstairs. You’ll meet them later.”
“Hi,” she murmured.
“Hi, Lili,” Bastian said.
Nash nodded. I could see him trying to keep a lock on his anger as he took in Lili’s face.
“Everyone’s neutralized,” Landon added quietly. “You take one of the Range Rovers and get Lili out of here.”
I slipped my jacket off and wrapped it around her. That’s when she started shaking.
Fuck, she’d been through so much. It was my fault she’d once again been taken against her will.
I led her outside. One of the black Range Rovers was in the driveaway, another at the curb. I knew Nash would have fake plates on them, which we’d switch over later. Just in case anyone reported the vehicles to the cops.
Lili was shaking so hard, her teeth chattered. I didn’t let myself think. Stopping beside the vehicle, I pulled her into my arms.
“You’re safe now. I promise.”
“You…came for me. Again. I…” Tears welled in her eyes and she started crying. “I thought no one was coming.”
Fuck. Her tears were like a burn to my gut. I pressed a hand to the back of her head and pulled her closer. She buried her face against my chest.
I opened the back door of the SUV, then pulled her away enough to get us both inside. She climbed onto my lap, like sheneeded to keep holding me in order to survive. Like I was the damn thing holding her together.
Gripping her tightly, I rocked her a little. It wasn’t something I was used to, but I’d hold her for as long as she needed.
I’d killed. I’d been a killer one way or another my entire life—a good soldier, an excellent merc, a really good hitman. I’d never been the person someone depended on emotionally.
I’d never had anyone hold onto me the way she did.
Slipping my hand into my pocket, I pulled out my phone, and one-handed, sent Alessio a message.
