Page 99 of Sullivan

I picked at the blanket on my bed. It was soft and warm—another gift from Anna. “How did you find me? Was it the watch?”

“Yes. It worked well. Evan’s tweaks were what we needed. It gave it longer range and strength. And you were so brave and smart to use it.”

“Al—ah, he destroyed it.”

“Evan already had another one he’d worked on in case one got lost. It’s at The Haven, waiting for Lynn.”

“He broke my necklace.” Instinctively, my hand flew to my neck, and my voice trembled. “He tore it off.”

“It’s being fixed. I’ll have it in the next couple days.”

“I broke his nose.”

A grin spread across his face. “I noticed that. Nice job.”

“I kicked him in the nuts too. Called him a wanker and told him he was an idiot.”

Sully chuckled and leaned close, pressing a kiss to my mouth. “My good, brave girl.”

“I made him angry,” I whispered, sudden tears forming in my eyes. “You were right about him, Sully. How dangerous he was. I should have listened to you.”

“Hush. That doesn’t matter now. It’s over.” He sighed. “He was even more devious than any of us thought.”

I looked down to where our hands were joined. “He said awful things. Threatened me. He was going to lock me in a cold root cellar. There—there were spiders. I hate spiders.”

Sully moved closer, cupping my face. Using his thumbs, he wiped away the tears running down my cheeks. “Try not to think about it, love. He’s gone. He can’t hurt you, and I won’t allow anyone else to hurt you either. He’s never coming back.”

I drew in a deep breath. “Did you—” I couldn’t finish my thought.

“No. You were more important. I left it to the boys, and it is done. I got one good kick in, though.”

“Oh.”

“Could you have forgiven me if I had?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” I tightened my grip on the blanket. “Is that what you were discussing earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Will you tell me?”

He shook his head. “No. Suffice it to say, it’s in the past now. You’re safe.”

“Okay,” I murmured, somehow relieved.

“Has this changed your mind, Autumn?”

“About what?”

“Us,” he answered simply. “Another glimpse into my world. Has it changed your mind?”

I lifted my hand and touched his cheek. I traced the jawline I loved to nuzzle. The eyes I loved to stare into. “Anna said something that makes so much sense now. She told me she knew she couldn’t survive her world without the one Niall lived in. It was my world that brought him into my life, Sully. Your world let me live. So, no, I haven’t changed my mind. I am grateful for your world.”

He drew me into his arms, holding me close. I sighed in contentment, snuggling close.

After a moment, he drew back. “You need to sleep.”

I shifted over. “If I lie here, you could fit beside me.”