Page 128 of The Silencer

But before he can lay a hand on me, I hear gunshots outside, the shouts of several men, and the thump of bodies hitting the ground.

“You are so dead,” I say with an evil grin, and Douglas sputters near me, looking around wildly for a means of escape. “I’m going to enjoy watching you suffer.”

Suddenly, Anthony strides in the doorway, his gaze intent, Sebastian at his side.

Grape-head tries to run past them, but Sebastian flicks his wrist and stabs him right in the neck without so much as blinking.

Douglas scurries behind me, the knife in his hand pressed against my neck.

Anthony’s gaze darkens, he’s murderous. I’ve never seen him like this.

For the first time since meeting him, I see the mafia boss in him. Ruthless, evil.

So fucking hot.

“You are going to die, Douglas,” Anthony growls. “But perhaps I’ll make it slightly less painful if you back away from him.”

Douglas scoffs and digs the knife in further, making my skin tear and bleed.

I hear Bane outside, howling, an evil laugh following as gunshots continue to ring out.

Sebastian nods and turns, striding out of the rickety building. His job is done and as he goes, my eyes meet Anthony’s.

He doesn’t move, doesn’t breathe. And then I feel it, the whoosh of something behind me, the gurgle of someone straining against hands to breathe.

“Took you long enough,” Anthony says, moving toward me quickly.

Sebastian chuckles. “I knew you’d want him alive,” he says as Anthony bends down in front of me, his own knife pulled from his coat. The sharp blade cuts through the rope and I fall into his arms, glancing back to see that Douglas is passed out, still breathing and alive.

Anthony’s arms go around me and he pulls me into his chest, his face pressed into my neck, inhaling.

“I’m so sorry, Tatum,” he whispers, his voice choked.

“It’s not your fault.”

“It is.”

I hold on to him tightly and then hiss when I remember I’m missing a finger.

“It hurts,” I whisper, and Anthony’s grip tightens on me.

“We’ll get you home. We’ll get you patched up.”

“I’m ugly now.”

He leans back and his eyes meet mine. “You have never been more beautiful, my little light. Never. You were so brave.”

My lips wobble and a tear slips from my eye.

He swipes it gently away with his thumb and then picks me up and carries me toward the car.

“Guess I’ll bring this arsehole by myself,” Sebastian grumbles loudly behind us, but Anthony just ignores him. His gaze is on me.

Only me.

He came. He found me.

I’m safe.