Page 44 of Vengeful Union

I give her a wink as I leave the house. The sooner I sort this shit out, the sooner I can get back to Destiny.

17

Destiny

Four weeks later

The wind whips around me, making a chill go through my body. I bring my knees closer to my chest. The heat of the men's gazes is hot against my back. No matter where I go, I have at least three men on me at all times. I hate it, despise that I'm locked away yet again. This time, though, at least I'm not tied to a bed.

I feel as though I’m locked in a cage. Both Finn and Levi’s men are watching over me. No matter what I do or where I go, I have a shadow. I thought being in my home—the one my mom left me—would make me safe, but going by the amount of security, I don’t think I’ll ever be safe. I love being in New York, but I miss Finn’s home. I’ve not been back since Levi rescued me. Finn says it should be ready in the next week or so. He’s having it repaired.

"Ma'am..." The heavily accented voice gains my attention, and I turn and find Gavin standing just a few feet behind me. The Irishman has a pained expression on his face. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, but the boss has said he wants you inside."

I take a deep breath. This is the shit I have to put up with. Finn Gallagher thinks he's the boss of me. Just because we have sex, it doesn't mean he gets to dictate my life and tell me what to do. Not only does he try to boss me around, but he gets his men to give the orders. The poor men have to deal with the fallout when the bastard tries to make me do things he has no right instructing me to do. Like this.

"Tell Finn I'll return inside when I'm ready." My tone brooks no arguments.

His eyes widen slightly, but he gives me a tight nod before stepping back and returning to his position, where he stands like a sentry. All three of my guards have formed a triangle around me. Two men belong to Finn, and the other is my uncle and Levi's man.

There are at least twenty men guarding this house. There are five inside whenever I'm there, and the rest are guarding the perimeter. I realize there will never be a time when I'm alone. I'll always have guards surrounding me. No matter how much I had hoped otherwise, I'm stuck in this life and there's no way out.

I look out onto the lake that's at the end of the property. I come here a lot when I need to think or if I'm anxious, and right now, I'm worried out of my mind. My father is upping his antics, trying to come across as the kind, caring, loving father who wants his daughter back. Yes, the asshole has been trying to get me to come home. He's even more deranged than I thought.

My cell buzzes in my pocket, and I instantly know who it is. Finn. The man is relentless. He's pushed his way into my life and has no intention of leaving it. I'm not sure what I want. I want him sexually, there's no denying that, but other than us having sex, we don't know each other. I feel as though he's possessive just because he was my first.

I enjoy being around him. I just hate the walls he has, ones that are built up tall. And I'm not sure I have the power to knock them down. I don't know if he's even willing to let them down. If he would give an inch, I’d let my own down and confess my secrets.

Fishing my cell out of my pocket, I glance at the screen and sigh. Just as I suspected. Finn. I swipe across the screen to answer.

"Inside," he growls instantly, not giving me a chance to say hello.

My back straightens at his command. "What?" I hiss, giving him a chance to change his tone and wording. No doubt his men have snitched on me.

"Get that pretty little arse inside. Now."

I blink and silently count to three. It's not working. My anger is rising. How dare he?

"I'm sorry, but the person you want to dictate to is no longer available. Please learn to think before you growl," I reply sweetly, then end the call. I power it down, knowing that if I don't, he's just going to continue to call, and that will not help either of us. Right now, I need to think about what I want and what I don't. One thing is for certain: I don't need someone who'll treat me as though I'm nothing more than a possession. Something they can hide away, that can be at their command.

I rest my cheek against my knees, my mind whirling with everything that has happened over the past four weeks. Not only has Finn been a constant presence, but Levi and Conrad have too. I understand that they all want to protect me, to keep me hidden away until we have dealt with my father, but I'm not a wilting flower. I know exactly who we're dealing with. I know better than anyone just how far my father will go.

Tears slide down my cheeks as I finally let my emotions out. I haven't cried since my mom died. I was numb. Shocked. Hurt. Then my father went off the deep end, and I pushed everything aside and tried to focus on surviving.

My body wracks with sobs as I think back to the day my mom died. I have no doubt that she was scared out of her mind, that when the end came, she was in pain. I wish I could change the past, protect her from what was about to befall her. But I can't. The only thing I can do is bring down the man who caused her all that pain, hurt, and suffering.

There's a dread-filled feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something bad is coming, and I know that when it does, all hell will break loose. I just pray we all survive it.

I lie down on the grass, my head tilted to the sky, and pray she's safe and no longer in pain. Tears continue to tumble down my face, and my body shudders with the force of the sobs. I've never been surrounded by so many people and yet felt so alone. I close my eyes, unable to keep them open any longer. It's not long before my body sags as sleep slowly takes over me.

* * *

I waketo fingers trailing up and down my arm. I'm nice and snuggled into the heat. Blinking, I turn and find Finn gazing down at me, and it's then I realize I'm no longer outside. I'm tucked nicely into my bed.

"You're awake," his voice is softer than I've ever heard. "Are you hungry?"

I shake my head. "No," I reply, my voice full of sleep. "Not to be a bitch or anything, but what are you doing here, Finn?" It's bright outside, and I rarely see him until darkness has settled in.

"You hung up on me." There's a reprimand in his voice and it has me bristling. "Then you switched off your cell. I couldn't get hold of you. Anything could have happened while you were outside. You’re safer inside, where no one with a fucking scope can get to you."

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