Page 18 of Love is Blind

The driver wasted no time weaving in and out of traffic to shorten our drive back to the office. The normal thirty-minute drive only took fifteen. By the time we pull up to the parking garage, Wren is fast asleep in my lap. Abby jumps out and rushes to the other side of the car to open the door, allowing me to step out.

“Why don’t you head home, Abby? Wren will be safe with us.” She stares at Wren for a long minute, a worried look in her eyes, before nodding and slowly climbing back into the car. I turn back to her. “Thank you, Abby. When we first met Wren, she had only had one friend. She smiles more when you’re around. You don’t treat her like a burden but a friend. You will always have our protection and we owe you.” She glances down at Wren sleeping in my arms and smiles.

“I think you’re wrong. She smiles more because she finally feels safe and loved. Wren’s something special Xander, I hope you three take care of her.” She proceeds to close the car door and drives away. She’s right about one thing, Wren, is special.

Footsteps rushing up behind me have me letting out a deep sigh as I turn to face a furious-looking Jax and Mav. Their eyes instantly go soft when the spy Wren still passed out in my arms. “She’s fine. I don’t know what he said to her, but I think it brought back memories she’s been trying to forget. Let’s get her upstairs, then we can figure out our next move.” I can tell both men want to reach for her, if not to comfort but to make sure for themselves she’s okay. Both keep their hands to themselves as we make it to the elevator. The entire ride up is quiet, all three of us just staring at the woman in my arms. To anyone looking in, it would seem creepy, but to us, it’s fear that if we blink, she could disappear.

It’s clear that Wren is good at running and hiding. She’s been doing it for two years. Adrian probably would have never found her if she weren’t involved with us.

When we reach the top floor, Jax rushes ahead of us to my office. Once we enter, he already has my couch set up like a bed. We all keep a pillow and blankets in our offices for unexpected long late nights. Gently, I place Wren down on the couch and Mav immediately covers her up. Wren snuggles down into the warmth, and I get my first good look at her face. Her usually soft look is gone, replaced by red rimmed puffy eyes from crying. I place a kiss on the top of her head before heading to my desk, taking a seat and booting up my computer. The guys follow suit, taking a seat across from me, with their chairs slightly shifted to keep an eye on our woman.

“Let’s get straight to it. What did we find out?”

“The coward ran before our men could get him. We found pictures of Wren all over the place. It was a small loft apartment about three blocks from where the shop was. It’s also about the same distance from Wren’s shop.” Jax grinds out.

“They also found a couple of computers. It looks like he found a way to hack into some security systems. They saw the spa; the shop you guys were in and the Cozy Nook. We have a guy working on back tracing the IP addresses to see if we can trace him the next time he logs in.” Maverick adds.

“What did he want this time?” Jax questions. His grip on the chair is turning his knuckles white. It’s killing him that Adrian was even able to get a hold of Wren.

“The same thing he’s been asking for. Wren. He says we have until the end of the week before he makes his next move.” I run my fingers through my hair and tug. The frustration that he’s been able to get away, not once but twice, is borderline insanity. “Let’s start making a list of everyone he might work with. Pay whoever you need to extra if you have to. We need to end this now because from the conversation earlier, I have a feeling, if he can’t have her, no one can.”

Chapter fourteen

WREN

Myheadfeelsfuzzyas I try to focus on waking up. The last thing I remember was curling up into a ball on the floor of the small boutique Abby took us to. Then the floodgates opened as I relived all the awful things Adrian has already put me through. Fear shot through my heart when I remember him threatening Abby. Right in the middle of my breakdown, Xander’s muscular arms wrapped around me and lifted me into his chest. I’m almost embarrassed that I practically nuzzled into him like a damn cat, but Xander means safety. His warmth soaked into me, as did his whiskey and cigar scent. Xander meant home now. I remember him carrying me out and to the car, then nothing.

I must have passed out from the adrenaline because now that I think about it, I feel something soft underneath me. It’s not exactly soft enough to be my bed, but maybe a couch. Realization hits and I focus more on my surroundings. I can smell my guys, Xander’s whiskey and cigar, Maverick’s fresh cotton and rain, and Jax’s gunpowder and aftershave. All my favorite smells. I focus on the sounds next, the click-clack of typing, the soft steps of someone pacing and the ticktock of a wall clock.

“I think I have something.” Xander’s deep voice almost startles me. “I’ve been going over Adrian’s father’s dealing with us and everything else I could find. It seems he had a few real estate properties around town. It might be worth checking them out.”

“What do you think we might find?” Maverick asks. His voice is coming and going, so he must be the one pacing.

“I don’t know, but something that leads us to that prick. If we’re lucky, Adrian himself.” I hear some shuffling of feet before Xander speaks again. “Take some extra men and Jax. If you find him, keep him alive.”

I hear a deep chuckle come from Jax, but worry shoots through me, causing me to snap up to sit. “Wait.”

“Princess. I knew you weren’t asleep.” A second later, Jax scoops me up into his arms and holds me tight. “Don’t worry, baby. You’re safe here. Me and Mav will be back soon, I promise.” Wrapping my arms around his thick neck, I squeeze. I know my men can take care of themselves, but Adrian is ruthless and does fight fair.

“Be safe. Come home to me, please.” Finding his face with my hands, I lean in for a kiss. This kiss is gentle, tender-like, trying to tell him everything I feel with no words.

“I will, Princess.” He pulls away a second later, the cold of the room creeping in before it’s replaced by another warm body. Maverick. His fresh scent of cotton and rain fills my scenes. Reminding me of cozying up with a good book by a window during a rainstorm.

“Don’t worry Angel. I’ll keep the big ape out of trouble.” Maverick holds me like he never wants to let go before leaning down and kissing my forehead. “Promise me you’ll keep the boss man out of trouble as well.” I try to hold back my giggle, but it escapes anyway. “Music to my ears.” This time, I blush at his words.

“Take care of each other. I need both of you to come home in one piece.” As much as I don’t want to let go yet, I release my grip on his shirt and take a small step back.

“Take care of our girl, Xander.” Jax calls out, sounding further away. I stand there, unsure of where I am or who else is around, as two sets of footsteps lead away from me. My mind wonders when a set of hands grabs my shoulders. My body reacts as I jerk back.

“Little bird, it’s just me.” I force my racing heart to calm. “We’re in my office downtown.” He pulls me into his embrace and I instantly relax. “They’re going to be okay, baby. Come sit with me.” He reaches down and wraps his arms around mine before leading me away from what I’m assuming is a couch. Reaching out with my unclaimed hand, I feel my surroundings. My hand hits something hard a moment later, which I’m guessing is a wooden desk. I trace my fingers along the edge as Xander leads me around and takes a seat, pulling me down onto his lap. I lean back into his chest as his hands rest on my thighs. Slowly, he draws light circles with his fingers on my bare skin, sending tingles up my legs. The exhaustion of today’s events hit me like a brick wall.

“Little Bird, we need to know what Adrian said to you earlier.” My body tenses at his words. I don’t want to relive it again. Not yet, at least.

When I keep my mouth shut, Xander slowly glides his hand up my thigh, over my dress, up my stomach until he reaches my throat. Ever so slowly, as if waiting for me to protest, his large hand wraps around my neck in a loose but firm hold. His thumb moves up and down as he leans forward to whisper into my ear. “Do you need me to get your mind off today, Little Bird?” Swallowing, I give him a few nods of my head. “You know better than that. Use your words, Wren.”

Taking a deep breath, I press my ass into the thick bulge growing beneath me. “Yes, please.” I can feel how wet my core is getting, and Xander only makes it worse by grinding up into my ass. My sensitive nipples pebble, scraping against the lacey fabric of my bralette. The other hand, Xander has on my thigh, glides up my leg in a slow, agonizing pace as he keeps hold of my movements with the hands still firmly wrapped around my small throat. My body twitches in anticipation when his fingers glide against my panty covered core. A moan escapes my throat as Xander thrusts his hips up once more.

“I know what you need, baby. Let me take care of you.” His lips softly graze my ear, sending pleasurable goosebumps down my entire body as his hand between my legs grips the fabric of my panties. “Let me worship you, Little Bird.” The moment those words leave his lips, he tugs. The sound of fabric ripping sounds before a sting of pain hits. In the next second, Xander’s fingers swept over my core, teasing me with his touch.

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