Page 100 of Yours

“They’re shifting,” Declan said. “Looks like they heard the shots. They’re heading toward your position, fast.”

“Let them,” I said, my grip tightening on my weapon.

The second group came in hard with their weapons raised. But they were loud—too loud. I motioned for the team to hold, letting the Russians close the distance before we opened fire.

The first two went down almost immediately, their bodies hitting the ground with muted thuds. The remaining pair scrambled for cover, but it was too late. Seamus, Kieran, and I moved in tandem, our shots clean and true, taking them out before they could fire a single round.

Then all went silent.

“Declan, status on the perimeter?” I said into the comm, my voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through me.

“All clear,” he replied. “No more heat signatures. Looks like that was the last of them.”

“Good,” I said. “Seamus, regroup with the others. We’re getting the hell out of here.”

My team moved quickly, their steps silent as we made our way to the extraction point. The forest was quiet again, the tension that had hung over us like a storm finally beginning to lift.

Leena, Ada, and Bradan were waiting when we arrived. Cormac, Aidan, and the twins were there too, their relief palpable as we emerged from the shadows.

“Did you get them?” Bradan asked tightly.

“All of them,” I said. “It’s done.”

Kieran clapped me on the shoulder, his expression hard, but satisfied. “You did good tonight, O’Malley. We all did.”

“This isn’t over,” I said quietly.

“No,” Kieran agreed, his voice low. “But they’ll think twice before they come for us again.”

As we loaded into the vehicles and pulled away from the clearing, the faint glow of dawn began to break through the horizon.

The Ivanovich family had played their hand, but they’d underestimated me.

And now, they’d paid the price.

CHAPTER 37

Kiera

I shifted uncomfortably on the couch, wincing as the sting flared across my backside. Even with the plush cushions beneath me, the lingering ache from Ronan’s belt made sitting a constant reminder of his punishment.

I huffed, crossing my arms as I leaned back, but that only made the soreness worse.

“Stupid belt,” I muttered under my breath, though the heat rising in my cheeks and between my thighs had as much to do with the memory of his firm commands as the actual spanking itself.

Still, I couldn’t help but pout. The man had left me here, my ass sore and my nerves on edge, while he went off to rescue Leena.

My best friend.

The thought sent a fresh wave of anxiety spiraling through me. What if something went wrong? What if Ronan or Leena didn’tmake it back? The idea twisted in my chest, leaving me restless and pacing the penthouse.

I walked to the kitchen, fiddled with the French press, and abandoned the idea halfway through. I tried to distract myself with a book, but ended up staring blankly at the same page for several minutes at a clip.

I checked my phone. No updates.

“Come on, Ronan,” I murmured, glancing toward the door for what felt like the hundredth time.

My pacing turned frantic as the minutes stretched into hours. The faint sting in my backside with every step reminded me of how much I hated feeling helpless, how much I hated being left behind, how much I hated that the welts from the belt left me feeling taken care of in a way that I hadn’t anticipated.

---