Page 89 of Bound by Love
Sir joined them with Hope cradled against him. Rytsar hugged them both, the baby in the center. “We are an unbreakable force.”
“Yes…” Brie whispered.
The police and emergencies vehicles rolled in with sirens blaring, their lights flashing everywhere around them, but Brie’s focus was solely on her baby and the two men before her.
Rescue had come.
Hope was safe.
Aftershock
Brie woke up tucked in bed, the lights out, but a lone candle burning on the bedside table. She struggled out from under the covers when she heard Hope cry and padded out of the bedroom, the cold marble chilling her bare feet.
She walked toward the low tones of Sir hushing the baby while trying to distract her with a stuffed animal.
Sir looked up and smiled. “Feeling better?”
Brie nodded slowly until memories of the night’s events flooded in and her smile disappeared. She shook her head and began to cry.
Sir motioned her to him.
Brie walked over and knelt at his feet. He reached out to her while still comforting the baby by gently stroking her hair.
Safe.
It was the overwhelming feeling his touch evoked, and the fears that tormented her began to evaporate.
“I almost lost everything,” he stated quietly.
“But you saved me,” she answered, kissing his hand gratefully.
“I have been so closely monitoring Lilly, thinking that keeping her at the convent would ensure your safety, that I let this happen right under my nose. I basically delivered you to your kidnappers tonight.” He shook his head, a look of devastation on his face.
“I was blind because I just wanted Lea to be happy… When Mary told me she didn’t trust Liam, I assumed it was out of jealousy, Sir. Even when I bumped into him at the grocery store, I never questioned why Liam was acting so strange, but I wasn’t even talking to the same man! Why didn’t I pick up on that?”
Sir cradled her cheek. “We could go round and round second-guessing ourselves, but it changes nothing. The only thing that matters is that you are safe.”
Brie shuddered, envisioning the horror she and the baby would be facing right now if they hadn’t come to the rescue.
Sir pulled her to him, vowing fiercely, “I will do anything to protect you and Hope.Anything!”
“I apologize for coming unannounced, but I had to see you for myself.” Faelan stood in the doorway, staring at Brie. He glanced over at Sir, who nodded, before he embraced her.
Brie closed her eyes, soaking in Faelan’s love and concern for her.
When Faelan let go, he muttered, “Fucking Lilly. Even though I did everything to neutralize her impact, I failed you. I’m sorry.”
“I’m fine. Hope is fine. You did not fail us.”
Faelan shook his head, clearly drowning in guilt.
Brie reached out and took his hand, squeezing it as she pulled him inside. “You protected me from Lilly. I am grateful to you.”
He frowned. “I still can’t help feeling partially responsible for what happened yesterday.”
Glancing at Sir, he said, “I’m sorry, Sir Davis.” His voice was full of regret.
“Don’t think you are alone in feeling guilt. Durov, Anderson, Nosaka, Captain, Samantha, and even Marquis have communicated to me about how they feel accountable. In the end, I hold the greatest responsibility in this.”
