Page 43 of Lost in the Light

“Well, I’m worried now!” I cried.

“Come on,” Adam was smirking as he took my hand and pulled me from the bed and to my feet.

“Why the hell are you smiling?” I demanded as we left the room.

“You’re just really cute when you get mad. I like it,” he shrugged with an even wider smile.

“You haven’t seen angry yet. Just keep smirking at me like that and you’ll see angry,” I threatened. Adam tried to straighten his face and keep it that way, but he could barely contain his smile.

“Oh Good. You’re up,” Asher caught up to us just as we walked into the family room. He was dressed impeccably in a charcoal colored suit with an open collar white shirt beneath.

“What do you need me to do? Is Eli okay?” Adam asked, his smile long gone and his face filled with concern.

“I’ve called the lawyers, so they’ll meet us there. The police are alleging they have enough to charge us, but I very much doubt that.” Asher said as he fiddled with his cufflinks.

“I’m ready,” Eli declared as he walked in, dressed in jeans and a navy shirt, the sleeves rolled to his elbows. He’d neatened his hair up and he looked very handsome and smart.

“We should be back by tonight if all goes well. I’ve called Harris and he’s agreed to manage the security for now so you’ll all be safe here. Don’t leave the penthouse. Order groceries if you need them.”

“Got it,” Adam agreed.

“Just take care of Addy. We’ll be fine,” Eli added.

“I’ll be fine too. Don’t be worrying about me,” I told him as I moved over and wrapped my arms around him.

“Addy has the online session with Laura at ten. I left the details on the kitchen counter,” Asher went on.

“I love you, Eli,” I whispered as I hugged him tight.

“I’m only going to answer some questions. I’ll be back tonight,” he chuckled as he held me. “But I love you too, shortcake.”

“Just keep her safe, please brother,” I heard Asher say to Adam as they shared a back slapping hug.

“I’ve got her,” Adam promised.

I gave Asher a quick hug and told him I loved him too, then they were both gone and I stood staring at the closed door, terrified about when the next time I saw them both would be.

“Come on, honey. You need to eat before your session with Laura.” Adam took my hand and led me to the kitchen. I fought not to freak out, choosing to trust in Asher’s words that they’d be back by tonight. I’d revisit the looming meltdown if they didn’t come back as planned.

CHAPTER 13

ADDY

I literally ran from my temporary room at the penthouse, later that evening, having taken a shower and changed. The guys had suggested it, probably because they were sick of me just pacing back and forth anxiously, stressing them all out too.

It was almost nine P.M. and still Asher and Eli weren’t home. We hadn’t heard a word from them all day and I had received no reply to the numerous texts I had sent to them.

“Are they back?” I called before I even got to the family room, desperate to walk in there and find my brothers exhausted but home safe.

“Addy, slow down!” Kane barked as I hurtled into the room. I stopped when the only people in the room were the guys I had left there not ten minutes earlier – Adam, Jordan, and Kane. They were trying to look relaxed, kicking back on the sofa and Kane in the big armchair, all of them focused on some basketball game playing on the television, but they didn’t fool me. They all looked tense and on edge, just as I felt, and Adam was doing his nervous habit of tapping his hand against his thigh.

“Nothing yet, princess, but I’m sure they’re fine,” Jordan tried, and failed, to reassure me.

“Maybe I could just call Max. I know he can’t help us from Nevada, but maybe he could give us some contacts for better representation for Ash and Eli. Do we even know who Asher hired? They could be terrible attorneys,” I argued, not for the first time in the last few hours.

“Come on, baby. It’s Asher we’re talking about. You know he already hired the very best lawyers he could get,” Adam sighed as he got to his feet and approached me. He took my hand and pulled me back to the sofa he’d just vacated. “Just sit down and try to relax. They’ll be home soon, I’m sure.”

“I thought you were getting into your PJ’s?” Jordan asked as he took in the jeans and sweater I had pulled on after my shower.

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