Page 39 of The Enforcer's Redemption

"Don't stop! Keep shouting," I coach them before sucking in a breath. I'm so winded and weak. My arm wants to give out, to droop to my side and rest. But if he hasn't stopped fighting for me, I can't give up either.

He should have. As much as I've fought him and resisted everything he offered me, Declan should have given up and let me die, let them take me. I know my father would never have stood for it. He'd have gone to the police to get help, but it would've been too little, too late. To fight men like Sebastian O’Reilly, you need to fight fire with fire, and Declan is the only man for the job.

After a few more long minutes of pounding, I have to stop. My hands are throbbing, my chest heaving for air. I lean on the metal and suck in huge gulps of putrid air into my lungs. I can't breathe and I feel dizzy, but I manage to blurt out. "Okay!"

The clatter dies down slowly, and we're left with only the sound of shuffling bodies in the darkness. For a moment in the silence,fear creeps in, telling me they've gone and we've lost our chance to be rescued. I want to cry as I again press my ear to the wall.

But the sound of men's voices is there now, and they're close.

"Declan! Ronan!" I scream, "Help!" and instantly, I get a reply.

"Isla?"

"Declan," I whimper, letting the emotion well up in my chest. "Help, please… Get me out of here." A rush of energy pushes me back up to my full height. I feel the wall, hoping to find a latch or lock.

"Stand back from the wall, Isla," he orders, and as one, the women lurch away. I stumble, but strong arms hold me up, and whoever it is, I’m grateful for the support.

Seconds later, a gun erupts again, this time with a deafening crack and the ping of a bullet hitting metal. Two shots more, and the door pops open. Light streams in, though it's still dim, but brighter than I've seen in hours. I rush to the open door and push it as Declan pulls it open, and I fall into his arms, weeping.

The tears are hot and fast, and I can't stop them. I'm shocked I even have enough hydration in my body to make tears. His arms wrap around me firmly. He places kisses on my cheeks and forehead.

"I'm here," he comforts. "Hey, shh. It's okay now. I've got you."

I cling to him for the life preserver he is, and a new sound pricks my senses—sirens in the distance.

"We need to go," Declan says softly in my ear.

I turn to look over my shoulder at the women filing out of their cage. My heart aches for each and every one of them, even the particularly nasty ones who swore we'd never be rescued.

"What about them?" My eyes search their faces, memorizing each one of them, promising to never forget them.

"The cops will be here any second and will help them, Isla, but we have to get out before we get caught." He holsters his gun at his hip, and I nod at him. My legs falter as I start moving, so he picks me up.

It slowly registers to me as my eyes adjust to the brightness of the streetlamps that the entire family is here. Men I've never met, a few of my father's farm hands, all come to save me.

"My God," I say, clinging to his neck. I nuzzle my face into the crook and press my eyes shut. "I knew you'd come."

"O'Rourke!" I hear, and it makes my blood run cold. It's Sebastian's voice.

"Mother of God," Declan grunts as he ducks behind one of the containers. He sets me down and presses his palms to my cheeks. "Stay down. Do you hear me? Let me handle this."

The others are still running, racing across the parking area toward their cars in the distance, but Declan turns around and holds up a gun.

"Show yourself, scumbag," Declan shouts, and Sebastian fires off his weapon.

I fall to the ground and cover my ears as yet another volley of gunfire erupts. Every shot makes me jump until I lose count of how many booms explode around me. When I hear tiressquealing and feel Declan jerking me off the ground, I open my eyes and see a car. Thank God, I'm saved.

My salvation comes in the same form Declan prophesied. He will protect me. I just have to trust him, and now I do.

We dash to the car, and his driver zips away into the night, but all I can do is melt into Declan and cry tears of joy as he kisses my face.

29

DECLAN

Finally back to the safety of Ronan's home, I carry Isla across the threshold, the way I should've done days ago, and up to the room he prepared for us to stay in until I find a new home suitable for protecting and growing my family. My strong arms hold her as if she's nothing. It's only been a few days, but it feels like she's lost weight. She's weak, clinging to me, crying softly in a way I've never seen her do before. Sebastian broke her, and I'm anxious to find out how badly.

"We're home now, for a while, anyway," I say to her softly. My lips press kisses to her forehead and temple as I climb the stairs. "And we'll stay here until we decide what to do next."

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