Page 13 of Guarded from Danger

This time when I try, I croak, “Xavier. I’m here!”

There’s a pause before he replies, “I’m coming in as soon as I can, Luce. Erik’s just checking for any—” He stops. “We’ll get you out soon, I promise.”

Then, to someone else, he asks, “Is it safe?”

The other person, whose voice I now recognize as Erik’s, says, “It’s clear.”

A commanding order follows. “Get the crowbars. Hurry.” Dante, I think.

For the next few seconds, the only noise comes from boards being pried off the door. Wood cracks and splinters before beingtossed to the ground with a heavy thud. Then there’s a heavy crash, and the door shudders. Then another.

I’m breathless as I stare at the door, hoping but not quite daring to believe.

Can it really be over?

Am I safe?

And then the door flies open, and Xavier—oh, Xavier!—comes rushing inside.

He’s not my sweet boyfriend, but an avenging warrior. Dressed all in black, he’s the dark and dangerous hero I’ve been waiting for. Tension comes off him in waves as he sprints across the cabin to me, his features carved stone and his gaze more intense than I’ve ever seen it.

Crashing to his knees beside me, he reaches for me, but at the last second hesitates. “Oh, Luce,” he groans, his face crumpling, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry it took this long to get here.”

“Xavier,” I whisper, my throat too tight to speak louder. “You’rehere.”

He cups my cheek, his touch feather-light. “Of course, Luce. I’ve been searching. I—” Then his gaze sweeps over me, lingering at my ankle and wrist. Turning towards his friends, he shouts, “Help me get these off her! Now!”

But I can’t wait for that. I need to feel Xavier more than I need to breathe.

So I fling myself into his arms, burrowing as close as I can.

If I could climb inside him, I would.

Then his arms come around me, gentle but strong. And he presses his lips to the top of my head, murmuring, “I’ve got you. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

That’s when I start sobbing, all my emotions breaking free. The fear. Depression. Loneliness. Confusion. And the biggest of them, relief.

Xavier kisses my head again. “Oh,sunshine.” Pain laces his voice. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll get you out of here any second. I promise.”

Someone touches my wrist, and I flinch at the unexpected contact. Xavier growls, “Careful!”

“Sorry,” the other person replies, his voice low and soothing. Then I peel my face away from Xavier’s shirt to see Niall kneeling beside us. His expression is all hard lines and angles, but his gaze is soft as he says, “I’m just going to get these things off you, Lucy.” One corner of his mouth tugs up. “I’m the best lock picker of the team. So I’ll have you free in a blink.”

Rhiannon crouches beside Niall, her expression filled with concern. “I’m going to check you out as soon as we get outside, okay? Since I’m a medic. Is that alright?”

I want to answer her. I want to thank Niall. But I can’t stop crying.

The shackle drops off my wrist, and shortly after, my ankle. And I cry even harder.

Xavier lifts me in his arms as he stands, one arm under my legs, the other behind my back. He hugs me close as he says gruffly, “I need cover to the car.”

“On it.” Niall lifts his chin at Xavier. “Rhi and I will cover you.”

Dante comes over and claps his hand on Xavier’s shoulder. “Matt and I will stay here to wait for the police. Erik, Niall, and Rhi will go to the hospital with you. We’ll catch up as soon as we can.”

Xavier nods at Dante. A muscle in his jaw twitches. “Okay.”

And then, the thing I prayed for finally happens.

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