Page 133 of Savage Promises

The room falls silent, except for my ragged breathing. Two men dressed like Shane walk in and join the assassins in a line formation that gives me chills. They remove their helmets and I clutch my throat. Griffin and Connor came to rescueme.

A Donnelly.

I didn’t miss that Shane called me his wife. He lowers his weapon, his eyes locking on mine. “Lennox,” he chokes out and kneels on the floor next to me.

I don’t think. I don’t hesitate. I dive straight into his arms. “Shane,” I cry into his shoulder.

His bulletproof vest pushes hard against my breasts, but his arms feel like the safest place I’ve ever been.

I sob, the entire traumatic night catching up to me. I grip him like I’ll never let go. His hands run over my arms, my back, then up to cup my face like he’s making sure I’m real.

“Jesus, Lennox,” he rasps, his forehead pressing against mine. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you, baby.”

I wince. Not from pain. Not from fear. From thosethree words.

I’ve got you.

They crack something wide open in me. Even as the smell of blood clings to my skin and the echo of gunfire rings in my ears. It’s these arms, solid and grounding that pull me out of the chaos.

I fist the front of his shirt like I might float away without him. “I thought...”

I can’t finish. I can’t form the words with this lump in my throat.

Shane’s bruising grip tightens around me, his voice rough in my hair. “You’re safe now. I swear it.”

I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline or the way he’s looking at me, but my chest cracks open, and I let myself believe him.

With myself out of danger, the rest pours back into me.

“Mara?” I cry out.

“She’s safe. We got her out.” He cradles my head against his chest.

“Dorian?” I squeak.

Shane nods. “He’s alive, too.”

We stare and there’s one burning question left. One soul to ask about.

“Say it, Lennox. Ask me.”

“What about...us?” I sniff.

“We’re not dead, are we, baby?” He strokes my jaw. “I can be what you need. I know what I have to do. I spent seven agonizing days thinking of nothing else.”

“Me, too.” I choke up.

I look around at the dead Albanians. “Shane. The cops will arrest you for this. It’s still murder. Premeditated if you came in here armed to the teeth.”

Cops are always looking to arrest mafia bosses for something.

After a moment of quiet, the five Quinlan men break out into high-pitched laughter.

“I just got off the phone with the mayor,” Griffin says proudly. “The cops will be briefed onwhowe killed.”

I relax, feeling stupid for doubting the power of a Quinlan.

Connor smiles, pointing his rifle northward. “We’reheroes.”

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