CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE


Anna's POV

“Get your filthy hands off her. Right now.” Wesley thundered as one of the men tried to stop us.

My heart stopped for a split second, then suddenly slammed against my ribs. 

What now?

I lifted my head slowly, tears blurring everything. Henry's arm was strong around me. I could see his shoulders flex and he carried me.

His eyes were burning with a fury I had never seen before. And I was staring almost this dangerous choas. I mean, how could I not?

This was the first time I felt protected. Obligated to be stood up for. The first time I'm not fighting alone.

Several armed men flanked him, guns raised. But my Wesley didn't even flinch. His fearlessness gave me the courage I needed.

The two men who had been tormenting me froze. The tall one released my arm instantly, stepping back like he had been pushed by an invisible force.

Wesley crossed the room in long, urgent strides and dropped me on a couch. He dropped to his knees in front of me. His hands were trembling as he cupped my face with shocking gentleness. 

“Are you ok?” He whispered. His voice held so much warmth and comfort. 

His thumbs brushed over my swollen, burning cheeks, and his expression shattered.

“Anna…” His voice cracked completely. “Oh God… baby, look at you.”

The moment he touched me, the dam broke.

A raw, ugly sob tore out of my throat. 

I cried out. Broken and hurt avoiding contact with his face. I didn't want him to see me this way. But… but it just feels so sad for me not to cry.

I collapsed forward into his chest, clutching his shirt with both fists like he might disappear. My whole body shook uncontrollably as months of pain, humiliation, and fresh terror poured out of me.

“You came…” I cried, voice muffled against him. “You actually came for me Wes… I thought… I thought they were going to…”

He shook his head, leaning closer to me, “I know,” he whispered brokenly, wrapping his arms around me so tightly. 

“It's ok now, Honey,” One hand stroked my hair while the other held the back of my neck. “I’m here. I’m right here. I’m so sorry I’m late. I’m so fucking sorry.”

I cried harder, soaking his shirt. The fear that had been choking me for hours finally had permission to exist my body.

Damn. Me! Enduring the slaps, the threats, and even the way they looked at me like I was worthless, even the fact that they wanted to get into my panties. I can't imagine it.

Wesley rocked me gently, pressing kisses to the top of my head, my temple, anywhere he could reach. His own breathing was ragged, like he was fighting not to lose control right now.

But I had no idea why we were still here.

“I should have never let you get involved,” he murmured, voice thick with guilt. “I should have protected you better. This is my fault.”

I pulled back just enough to look at him through blurry eyes. My swollen cheeks throbbed with every word.

“You have the flash drive,” I whispered accusingly, my voice hoarse. “The one I risked everything for. You brought it here?” my eyes widened.

Wesley’s jaw tightened. He reached into his jacket and pulled out the small black device, holding it up like it disgusted him.

“I brought it as leverage,” he said in a low voice. “Not to trade you. I could never trade you for anything in this world my princess. I would burn every empire in this city to the ground before I let them use you as a bargaining chip.”

I was still unsettled.

I don't understand.

Why the hell was this here!

“Relax.” He cupped my face again, eyes locking onto mine with desperate intensity as he sensed my countenance.

“You are not disposable, Anna. You are not something I negotiate with. You are everything to me now. I will never make you feel that way again. I swear on it on my life.”

Fresh tears slipped down my cheeks. Part of me wanted to melt into him completely while the hurt other part of me still trembled with leftover fear and confusion.

“I was so scared, Wesley,” I choked out. “They slapped me. They said they would… they would let their men…”

I couldn’t finish the sentence. A violent shiver ran through me.

Wesley’s entire body tensed. His eyes darkened with murderous rage as he glanced toward Slade’s men, who were now standing silently, clearly unsettled.

“If any of you touched her like that,” he said, voice low and deadly, “I will make sure you suffer for the rest of your short lives.”

He stood up slowly, lifting me carefully into his arms again as if I were fragile porcelain. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hid my face against his shoulder, still shaking.

As we moved toward the door, one of Slade’s men stepped forward.

“Boss is on his way. No one leaves until he arrives.”

Wesley didn’t even pause. “Tell your boss if he wants his device, he’ll let us walk out of here right now. Anna is not part of this deal. She never was.”

The tension in the hallway was suffocating. My heart pounded against Wesley’s chest as he carried me forward, his men surrounding us like a shield.

Even in his arms, safe for the first time in hours, a storm of emotions raged inside me.

I was glad that he came through for me. But then the fear that this wasn’t truly over was still heavy on my mind. It couldn't be this simple. Or was it?

I clutched him tighter, whispering against his neck, “Don’t let them take me again, please, Wes.”

“Never,” he vowed, voice rough. “I’ve got you, Anna. I’ve got you.”