Page 93 of Finn

Juan was even more impatient, often tugging on Anna’s hair as he hurt her and said things to her I couldn’t hear but made her cry. He liked that. He also liked to kick. I wanted to grab a red-covered foot and knock him off-balance, but I knew he’d take it out on Anna. Both men enjoyed building our terror. Emphasizing their position with physical pain.

Sick fucks. Both of them.

Brian never came. I wondered if he was still alive. If they were still using him.

And I wondered how much longer I would live. If what Lopez and Juan kept telling us was true, I wouldn’t survive.

It was only the thought of never seeing Finn again, never feeling his arms around me, that could make me cry. And I hid my tears so no one could see.

At least those were still mine.

* * *

The sound of footsteps and voices made me sit up straighter, and I gripped Anna’s hand. Juan appeared, looking unusually animated. “Stand up.”

We did, and he aimed a gun at us. Instinctually, I stepped in front of Anna, and he sniggered. “You can’t protect her.”

“Someone has to,” I replied.

He only sneered.

Another man appeared and unlocked our ankles. We were pushed down the hall and into the room with the showers. But it was different. Now, there were towels. Robes. Shampoo.

“Clean yourselves up. You have fifteen minutes.”

We did as we were told, neither of us wanting to risk being hit or shot. My hair was knotted and hard to wash, but I did my best. After drying off, I pulled on the robe, hating the fact that it was short, white, and left nothing to the imagination. There was a small tear inside the lapel, and I slipped Finn’s necklace into it, feeling it fall to the hem. Even though they were wet, I put my underwear back on.

Anna did the same. Then we waited, knowing our lives were about to change.

And not for the better.

CHAPTER TWENTY

FINN

“We’re certain?” I asked.

“Greg assures me the information is accurate.”

“It makes no sense. They’re having an auction at the racetrack? In front of people?”

I paced the room. “No, there is something we’re missing.”

Roman and Aldo began to speak in Italian. Fast—their hands gesturing, words tumbling. Luca listened then clapped his hands. “Yes. Hiding in plain sight!”

“What?” I asked.

“You get to the racetrack, and you’ll be escorted elsewhere on the property. It’s a busy night, and no one will notice people coming in or disappearing. The normal crowd is only concerned about the horse racing. The noise and mob cover everything. They’ve added a late-night race for that very purpose. All smoke and mirrors.”

“But where?”

“The barn.” Niall looked at the screen, studying it. “See how this piece of the back of the racetrack is like an extended wing? I think this structure beside it has a dual purpose. Those golf carts parked there? Enough to get staff around, but I would bet my last dollar there is more. And I think underground tunnels from a couple of the empty buildings lead under the stable. In and out, no one sees a thing.” He sat back, running a weary hand over his face. “There was more activity around that barn set back on the property last night. Lights. But no people outside. No one coming and going. That’s how they get in and out.” He traced a path on the screen. “People slip away in small groups, heading to the wing and out to the golf carts. It’s dark, and no one is looking. The path we saw in the grass? It is going to have a fork not many use that leads to the trees and to the barn. Others will go through the tunnels. No one will notice the movement.”

I studied the screen. “You’re right. That stupid fecker. Doesn’t he know how dangerous—” I stopped my rant, knowing it would do no good. “We can do it all at once, then. Rescue the women and blow his lab.”

“So, how are we doing this?” Aldo asked. “Will we follow them?”

“No. We need to surround the building earlier. Be in the trees behind it in camouflage. Surprise them. We need men. Guns.” I looked up from the screen. “Night goggles. And tech. We surround the building, verify Una is there, cut the lights, and move in.” I drew in a long breath. “Kill everyone involved. Blow the barn and the lab once we get the innocents out.” I looked at Luca. “Between us, we have the right people to make sure it’s called an accident, right?”