Page 71 of Redemption's Inferno

“His pulse is weak,” Viggo said after latching onto his wrist. “But he’s alive.”

“What the fuck happened?” Karl growled, leaning in to offer support. “Em, are you hurt?!” He felt a little guilty for leaving his pregnant sister to fend for herself but she seemed okay as she sat up.

“I’m fine!” she called back. “Just a little sore. How is he? Is he awake?”

“No,” Viggo swallowed, “but he’s breathing.”

“I’m coming!” Dante was sprinting across the dungeon floor. He quickly unlocked the cuffs around Chains’ wrists and they slowly lowered him to the floor.

Viggo gently rolled him onto his back and ran experienced hands down his torso, frowning, grateful he’d kept up his first aid certifications so his EMT training kicked in automatically. “Broken ribs and damn, this is a gunshot wound—we need medics!”

“I’m on it.” Dante was already calling as he moved towards Emilie to check on her. She hadn’t been able to stand yet so he slid an arm around her waist to help her as she stumbled across the room to where Viggo, Karl and Jamie were trying to awaken Chains.

“What did that bitch do to you?” Karl asked softly, reaching out a hand to his sister as she knelt between him and Viggo.

“Nothing,” she said, taking a ragged breath. “Thanks to Chains. She must have threatened to hurt me unless he let her do this to him…” Her voice choked on a sob and she covered her mouth with her hands as she started to cry. “He did this for me…”

“I’m sorry,” Viggo whispered, reaching for her hand.

“I didn’t hear you leave the house,” Dante grunted, obviously pissed at himself.

“Chains vouched for Franny personally,” Emilie sniffled. “Otherwise I never would’ve hired that redheaded bitch!”

“How does she connect to his MI6 days? Was she a spy too?” Karl asked.

“Don’t make me laugh.” Chains’ deep voice was a raspy whisper, but they all heard him and stared down in surprise.

“Hey.” Viggo squeezed his arm. “Help is coming, don’t try to talk.”

“I’ve been beaten, not given a bloody lobotomy,” he rumbled. “Quit starin’ like you’ve seen a ghost, yeah?”

“I’m so sorry, my love,” Emilie leaned over, wiping blood from his eyes and gently running her fingers over his face. “I would have let her hurt me too so it wasn’t all you…”

“Not a chance in hell,” he grunted, wincing at the pain in his rib cage. “This wasn’t about you, love—this was about ending an old score. It wasn’t your fight—she just used my new life—and my mother—to get to me.”

“Dante?!” Becca’s panicked voice echoed off the walls.

“In here!” Dante stood and moved towards his wife, reaching for her as her gaze fell on Chains’ bloody form.

“Oh no!” she cried.

“It’s not as bad as it looks, he’s going to be okay, querida—help is coming.” He cradled her against him.

“Did Franny really do this?” Becca asked, her eyes narrowed angrily.

“Someone needs to deal with her,” Emilie said quietly.

“Joe’s taking care of it,” Dante said, motioning impatiently. “The authorities will find her up on the St. Andrew’s cross—gagged.”

“Bitch.” Emilie tried to wipe the blood on Chains’ face with her top but a few cuts were still bleeding and it seemed futile.

“Must you fuss?” Chains whispered, his eyes meeting hers.

“Yes, I must!” she snapped. “Now shush until help arrives.” She smoothed a stray lock of hair from his face and realized this was the first time she’d seen him without dreadlocks. His hair was soft, lighter than she’d imagined despite being caked in blood now. He was going to be even more handsome, she thought with a private smile. In a way, the dreadlocks had been his way of hiding his extraordinary good looks; she’d always thought him handsome, but as she looked beyond the blood and bruises, she saw he was much more than that. Inside and out, he was one of the most beautiful people she knew, and she was very grateful she’d found him in time.

Chapter 26

The next hour was a flurry of activity, answering questions as the paramedics tended to his wounds and prepared to take him to the hospital. Emilie didn’t say a word as she, Karl, Jamie and Viggo climbed into Viggo’s SUV and headed to the hospital, with Dante and Becca following in Dante’s Mercedes. Joe stayed behind to deal with Franny and the police.

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