Page 73 of Niall

I shook my head. “Then the safest place in the world for me is with you, isn’t it?”

He inhaled, his emotions so clearly visible in his fierce expression. “Yes.”

“Then the matter is settled. I’m staying with you, and you’ll protect me and love me.”

He smiled even as another tear splashed on my hand. “And you’ll bake me cookies and love me.”

“Always.”

He rested his head on my chest, letting his emotions out. I stroked his hair, crooning softly, knowing I would be the only one he allowed to see his fear.

When he lifted his face, he met my eyes, his once again calm.

“Always.”

Finn and Una came in, looking worried. I had moved to the chair, propped up with pillows, and Niall sat on the bed, feeding me tidbits of the food he had ordered in. I wasn’t overly hungry, but I ate to please him.

Una saw I was awake and promptly burst into tears, racing to me and hugging me as she wept. I patted her back, grateful she was gentle. My shoulders and arms ached constantly. I let her cry, offering the box of tissues when she pulled back.

“I was so frightened,” she whispered.

I squeezed her hand. “Me too.”

Finn came over, bending and kissing my cheek. “Good to see you alert and sitting up.”

“Thank you.”

I glanced between him and Niall. “Maybe you two could go for coffee,” I suggested. “Get Niall to eat something substantial, Finn.” I indicated the morsels on the table. “He needs more than this.”

Niall began to protest, and I smiled. “Una is here. You have a man outside. And I’d like to talk to my friend.”

His face softened in understanding. He knew what a close bond I had with Una.

Finn nodded. “I brought food from the hotel for both of you. It’s in the lounge.”

Niall bent and kissed me. “Right down the hall.”

“Okay.”

Una held my hands. “She walked right past me…I didn’t know.”

“I know. Niall told me everything.”

“I never liked her.”

That made me chuckle. “I know.”

“I wish I could slap her a few times,” she confessed.

“Finn shot her.”

She nodded. “He told me.”

“Dead,” I emphasized.

“I think that was the point.”

“She was a bitch.”