Page 84 of They All Own Me

"Took you long enough." She attempts a smile, wincing as it pulls at her split lip.

"Sorry about that." I work on the ropes binding her wrists. The skin underneath is raw and bloody. "Had to deal with your piece of shit husband first."

Isaac appears with a knife, helping cut through the bonds. "Should've killed these bastards slower."

"You good baby?" Connor asks, his eyes dark with concern as he checks her pulse.

"Better than these assholes." Tatum's voice is hoarse, but there's steel underneath. She tries to stand but her legs buckle.

I catch her before she hits the ground, lifting her into my arms. She feels too light, too fragile. "Let's get you home."

"The others?" Isaac asks, already moving to secure our exit.

"Leave them for the cleanup crew." I adjust my grip on Tatum as she nestles against my chest. "We've got more important things to handle."

I carry Tatum through the warehouse, past the bodies of the men who dared touch her. Her head rests against my chest, her breathing shallow but steady. Isaac takes point while Connorcovers our six, both of them scanning for any stragglers we might have missed.

The night air hits us as we exit, carrying the scent of rain and gunpowder. Our SUV sits where we left it, engine still running. I slide into the back with Tatum while Connor climbs in beside us. Isaac takes the wheel.

"Fuck, Tatum." Connor's voice cracks as he helps me position her across our laps. "When we couldn't find you at the house..." He trails off, running his fingers through her tangled hair.

"Thought I was going crazy when I saw the place trashed." I check her pulse again, needing the reassurance of its steady beat. "Haven't been that scared since my first firefight."

"Should've seen Dom," Isaac calls from the front seat, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. "Never seen him so focused. Like a fucking demon possessed him or something."

Tatum lets out a weak laugh that turns into a wince. "My heroes."

"Don't talk, baby." Connor's hand trembles as he wipes blood from her chin with his sleeve. "We got you now. Nobody's gonna touch you again."

"Promise?" Her voice is small, vulnerable in a way that makes my chest ache.

"Cross my heart." I squeeze her hand gently. "Anyone tries, they'll end up like those fuckers back there."

"All of them," Isaac adds firmly. "Every last one."

The city lights blur past as we speed toward home, toward safety. Tatum's breathing evens out as she drifts between consciousness and sleep, still holding tight to my hand.

Chapter 44

Tatum

My whole bodyaches as Dom places me on the plush couch, Connor holds an ice pack to my bruised cheek. The familiar surroundings of their house feel like a sanctuary after that dingy warehouse. Issac hands me a glass of water and some painkillers, which I gratefully accept.

"Where's Thomas?" The words taste bitter in my mouth.

"Basement," Dom says, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. "Tied up nice and secure."

"The basement?" I take a sip of water, wincing as it hits my split lip. "Why keep him here?"

"Insurance," Isaac explains, settling into the armchair across from me. "Plus, we figured you might want to hear him scream for yourself."

"Because he heard you screaming on that phone call and didn't even flinch," Connor adds, his jaw tightening. "Bastard was more worried about his money than you."

I let out a hollow laugh that makes my ribs protest. "Sounds about right." Setting down the glass, I attempt to stand but wobble slightly. Connor moves to steady me.

"You should rest," he says, but I shake my head.

"No. I want to see him. I need to look that spineless coward in the face."

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