Page 137 of Dublin Beast

When we reach the top landing, he pauses in front of another keypad and punches in another code. Then he turns to me and his grin falters. He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Brace yerself, trouble. Deep breath.”

And suddenly, I panic.

Not because I think something’s wrong—but becausesomethingis definitelycoming. My heart stutters, and my stomach twists.

“Oh my God.” My hand flies to my chest. “You’re not proposing, are you? Bryan, please tell me you’re not going there so soon.”

He freezes, blinking at me like I’ve just suggested we join a cult. “First,” he says dryly, “ouch. Ye couldn’t look any less interested in wearin’ my ring. That’s a hit to a man’s ego.”

I wince. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I just—it’s way too soon. We only just moved in together.”

Bryan chuckles. “Agreed. Ye can relax, there’s no ring and no question to be popped. Not yet.”

I let out a long breath. Excellent.

He pushes the door open and gestures for me to step inside. “Go on, love. I promise ye want what’s inside more than anything I could buy at the shops.”

I step through the doorway, scan the loft, and stop.

The breath catches in my throat.

My knees buckle.

A sound tears from my chest.

It’s not quite a scream of fear or pain or even joy. It’s kind of all three. All the emotion I’ve held at bay rips through the room as I see my surprise.

If it weren’t for Bryan’s hands clamping around my waist, I would’ve crumpled to the floor.

Time stands still as they rise from the couch…

And then speeds up as they rush toward me.

Macie and Chantal.

My friends. My sisters.

They’re thinner. Paler. Haunted shadows move behind their eyes. But they’re here.

“You’realive!”I stumble toward them and the three of us collide in a knot of arms, hair, sobs, and shaking limbs. Hot tears sting my eyes and stream down my cheeks. "How… when… what?"

Macie swipes the sleeve of her shirt over her eyes and then laughs at me. "You missed Who and Where. What kind of investigator are you?"

"The absolute best kind," Chantal says, resting her head on my shoulder as the three of us dissolve into a snotty, ugly crying bunch. "You saved us, babe. The officers who found us said a very determined woman came across the pond to find us and bring us home. We knew it was you."

I shake my head, overwhelmed, my fingers tangled in their sleeves. “I—I don’t understand. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

I lift my gaze to Bryan, who’s standing a few feet away, his arms crossed casually over his broad chest. He’s watching me with a look that holds every shade of love I’ve ever known.

“They got here two days ago,” he says gently. “The ladies requested a moment to set themselves right. Tag suggested they stay here, so they’d be close, and we could ensure their safety. They’re welcome to stay as long as they like.”

I take them in again, my mind barely grasping the reality. They’re here. Alive. Safe.

It’s obvious they’ve been through a lot, and it will take time for them to recover fully—if that’s even possible—but they’re here.

“What about Zhara, Anton’s sister? What about the others?”

“The task force is still working to find and rescue all the women they can. As far as I know, they’ve only begun their rescue raids.”

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