Chapter 22 Sully
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
SULLY
It was cold outside, standing in the trees that surrounded the small cabin.
The vans were parked a short distance away so we didn’t alert him we were there, but they were ready to bring the supplies we needed in a moment.
Evan was a voice in our ears, directing us, telling us what he could see with his drone.
Finn and Niall were beside me, a few men behind us. All of us were armed. Ready.
“No outside alarms or traps that I can see. Two heat sources inside,” he murmured. “The windows are covered in the front and back, so I can’t see much. The only one without a covering is the kitchen.”
“Can you get a camera in?” Finn asked.
“Too risky,” he replied. “They’re in separate rooms. One is moving, the other is not. I think the moving one is Cal or Al or whatever he wants to call himself, and he’s pacing. Agitated, I would say. The other one hasn’t moved this whole time.”
I shut my eyes, trying not to panic. Niall nudged me. “Probably tied up.”
I nodded, hating that thought too.
“Wait, there’s movement,” Evan hissed. “Cal moved to the back, and now both of them are in the front of the cabin. I’m switching to night mode, and I’m going to try for visual.”
We waited, my heart beating rapidly. Every moment she was with him was a moment too long. We needed to move, and I wanted to move now.
As if sensing my thoughts, Finn placed his hand on my shoulder. “Patience. We need to make sure she’s protected.”
“Positive,” Evan confirmed. “It’s him and Autumn. She’s arguing with him—or begging, maybe.” There was a pause. “Oh shit. There’s a trapdoor he has open, and he’s forcing her to go down inside whatever it is.”
That was it. I was off, my gun out, heading for the cabin. Behind me, Finn and Niall followed, Niall snapping orders to the other men. “Surround the cabin. He doesn’t get away.”
I sped up, lowering my shoulder, not stopping as we closed in on the cabin.
I leaped onto the porch, hurling my entire weight at the old door, busting through it, Finn and Niall on my flank.
Autumn screamed. The coward that he was, Calvin grabbed her, holding her in front of him like a human shield. He pressed a gun to her head.
We all froze. Autumn’s eyes were huge in her face. She was bruised and battered, blood dried on her cheek. She was shaking so hard, she was barely able to stand. Calvin had a busted-up nose and a cut on his face, his ugly mug still belligerent, his pea brain thinking he had the upper hand.
“It’s over. Let her go,” Finn stated calmly. “You’re not getting out of here.”
“Fuck you,” Calvin sneered. “Then neither is she. I’m the one with a gun to her head—you make one move, I’ll blow her brains out.”
Niall sighed as if he was bored. Before anyone could blink, he lowered his gun and shot Calvin in the knee. The scream that tore out of the arsehole’s mouth was loud, and he flung up his arms, pirouetting like a clumsy ballerina before falling to the floor.
Before he even hit the wood, I was in front of Autumn, catching her in my arms. She was ice-cold and terrified.
“Finn, we need to get her warm! Now!”
Finn spoke into his mouthpiece. “Blankets in thirty seconds,” he assured me.
I stepped away, holding Autumn and murmuring assurances to her.
“I have you, love. I’m here, mo fhiadh beag. It’s over. You’re safe.”
She didn’t speak, burying her head in my chest.
I held her tight, knowing I wouldn’t be releasing her from my arms anytime soon.
She shook constantly. Gripped my shirt. Stared up at me with those wide, terrified eyes. The only sound she made was one of distress when I loosened my hold on her to get warm blankets wrapped around her. I hushed and soothed her the best I could, my anger still raging.
Calvin whimpered and moaned like the little bitch he was. “I need help! I’m bleeding!”
“Jesus, shut up,” Niall demanded, pointing his gun. “Or I’ll shoot the other knee, you fecking bastard. In fact—”
I turned away as the gun went off. This time, there was a high-pitched wail, then only sobbing. The scent of urine reached my nose, and I stepped closer to the door.
Finn joined me. “I’ve arranged medical. You’ll be met at the hospital.”
I looked down at Autumn, a quivering mass of fear in my arms. She was battered and bruised and so emotionally destroyed I was fearful. I had no idea what she had been through, and part of me was scared to know. “Thanks,” I murmured.
“What do you want done?”
I wanted to kill him. Carefully. Methodically. Make him feel pain so bad he begged to die. Except Autumn needed me more than I needed revenge. And right now, I had no stomach for murder.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
He nodded. “Right.”
I headed to the door, ready to walk away, when the fecker began to shout, reaching and clawing his way toward us, his legs useless. “No! She’s mine. I want—”
I turned and, with one fast, violent kick, silenced him. His head snapped back hard as teeth, blood, and spit erupted in an arc from his stupid gob. “Shut yer face, you stupid fecker. She was never yours and never would be.”
“Oh sure, yer rugby days have come in handy,” Niall said with a dark chuckle. “Nice kick.”
The arsehole stared at me, his mouth open, blood pouring down his chin. He couldn’t talk, and I was glad for that. But I had something to say.
“Remember this—when you’re writhing in hell for all eternity, I’ll be loving her. Living a life we create together. One that holds no memory of you. This world will never remember you. You lost, fecker. I have her. And I always will.”
And I walked out, leaving him to his fate.
AUTUMN
There were sights and sounds all around me.
Lights that were too bright, noises that hurt my ears.
The one comforting thing that kept me from losing it was taken away.
Strong arms that held me tight, a steady thump-thump-thump beat under my ear, disappeared.
I cried out, seeking, terrified. Those arms and that sound meant I was safe.
I began to cry. Scalding hot tears poured down my cheeks, and I tried in vain to get back to that safety. I heard yelling and cursing, and then a voice was in my ear.
“I’m right here, mo fhiadh beag. I’m not leaving you. I’ll hold your hand, but we need to let them help you. You’re safe. I promise, love. You’re safe.”
“Sully,” I whimpered.
“Yes. It’s your Sully. I’m right here.”
I let his scent wash over me, and I drifted off, the blackness welcome.
Consciousness came again, gradually, easing me from the dark. Feminine voices were speaking. Male voices spoke in low tones. The pain was still there, but not as intense. I searched my mind, wondering where I was. What had happened. I felt pressure on my hands, and a voice—one I loved—spoke.
“Come back to me, mo fhiadh beag. I’m waiting. I need you.”
I tried to open my eyes, but they refused to cooperate. I wanted to lift my hand, to reach out to that voice, but it was too heavy. I felt so tired. It was too hard. I sighed and let sleep take me away again.
The next time I woke, I opened my eyes. The room around me was strange and unfamiliar.
My eyes ached and felt like sandpaper. My body wasn’t my own.
It was achy and sore. I blinked and moved my head a little, turning it toward the odd sound, seeing medical equipment.
I traced one machine down to an IV in my arm.
I realized I was in the hospital. I glanced to the other side, wondering about the weight I felt. A dark head of hair was pressed into my side, a heavy arm stretched across my torso, holding me. Keeping me safe.
Sully.
He was asleep, his face turned toward me. Even asleep, I could see the exhaustion etched in his skin. He was frowning, the lines around his mouth deep. He was drained, unkempt, but the most welcome sight I had ever seen.
For a moment, I was confused, and then it all hit me.
Alan at the door.
Waking in the cottage.
Him forcing me into a cold cellar.
And the door bursting open, Sully charging through it, looking like the angel of death.
After that, things were blurry again.
I must have made a noise because Sully sat up, already on alert. He saw my eyes were open, and he stood, cupping my face. “Autumn,” he breathed. “Oh, Autumn. You’re awake, love. Thank God, you’re awake.”
I tried to speak, but my throat ached. Suddenly, Anna appeared on the other side of the bed. “Here,” she murmured, spooning an ice chip into my mouth. The cold and wet felt so good on my throat, and I accepted another one.
“Better?” she asked.
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice sounding rough.
“I’ll go get the doctor.” She slipped out the door, leaving me with Sully.
He took my hand, pressing it to his face. “I’ve been so worried, love.”
“How long have I been here?”
“Four days.”
“Why?”
He frowned. “Are you sure you want to talk about this right now?”
“Yes.”
His voice was gentle and soft. “What do you remember?”
“Most of it. He knocked me out, and I woke up there. I was so scared.” I swallowed the thick feeling in my throat. “And when I was the most terrified, you showed up. You rescued me.”
“Finn and Niall plus their crew, found your location and got me to you. I brought you here. You were suffering from hypothermia, a concussion, abrasions, and severe bruising.”
I noticed the marks on my wrists. “He tied me up.”
“He will never hurt you again.”
“Is he—” I swallowed, unable to ask.
“Yes. He won’t hurt anyone else ever again.”
I shut my eyes, already exhausted. “Good.”
The door opened, and the medical people came in. Sully refused to leave as they examined me and asked me questions. He sat on one side, his hand wrapped around mine, his thumb drawing soothing circles on my skin.
The doctor smiled at me. “I’m pleased to see you awake and responsive, Autumn.”
“When can I go home?”
He laughed. “Already so anxious. We’ll run a few tests, and if I’m happy with the results, in the next day or two. We’ll cap off the IV shortly, and we can remove the cannulas.”
He left and Anna came back in. Niall arrived a few moments later, looking happy to see me.
“You are a sight for sore eyes, Autumn. My cousin here has been beside himself.” Then he smiled gently. “We all have. I’m glad to see you awake. Is there anything you need?”
“Yes,” I said, surprising them all.
Sully stepped closer. “What do you want, love? I’ll get you anything.”
I looked past him to Niall. “Take him for a meal. Something real. Get him showered and cleaned up, and I want him to have a solid eight hours before he comes back.”
Sully shook his head. “I’m not leaving you.”
I met his gaze. “You are.”
“No.”
Anna held up her hands. “How about a compromise? I’ll order food from the hotel, and Niall will go get you some fresh clothing and bring it back. You shower while he’s gone. And I agree with Autumn. You need sleep. You’ve not left this room since she came in, and you have barely shut your eyes.”
Sully opened his mouth to protest, and I spoke. “Please, Sully. I need to know you’re okay.”
He huffed. “Fine. But I’m not leaving you to sleep. I’ll be fine right here.”
I nodded, okay with the compromise. I didn’t really want him to go.
Anna beamed. “Good.”