Page 100 of Four Fiances & I

Danielle and I hated each other; there was no other word for it. She loved to make my life a misery, and nothing brought her pleasure other than trying to break me. I lost count of how many times I left that school in tears because of how she treated me. There was even a time or two that Layton wanted to get involved, and I had to stop him. But things started to change when she found me hurt and bleeding after being attacked by Hudson. When Danielle found me, she got help and stayed until Layton arrived and brought me home. The following day, she visited, and our relationship has never been the same since. Now, she is one of my best friends and never stands for anyone attacking me verbally or otherwise.

Remembering I haven’t replied to her message about tomorrow, I open my eyes and retrieve my phone from where I had left it. Just as I open it, I hear a strange noise from the bedroom. I stop and listen to see if I can hear it again. But then the music changes, and I relax, realising it was just the previous song finishing. Sitting back in the bath, I pull up Danielle’s message and type out the reply.

Jaz: Sorry, I forgot to reply. Be ready for 11:30; we will pick you up.

A loud, high-pitched alarm sounds, making me jump and drop my phone in the water.

“Fuck,” I curse, pulling it out and grabbing a towel to dry it. If this is another lockdown drill, I’m going to kick Terry’s ass for not giving me a heads-up.

I reluctantly climb out of the bath, pulling a towel from the stall and wrapping it around my body. The alarm continues to sound as I hear a weird clunking sound coming from my bedroom. Slowly, I make my way to the door and grab my robe, wanting to be as covered as possible. If it were anything else, I would think it was one of the guys trying to scare me, but none of them would ever mess around with this.

Slowly walking into the room, I listen to the sound again and realise it's coming from the window. Turning, I expect to see the shutter down, but instead, it’s less than a quarter of the way and seems to be jammed. The sound is it fighting to drop the rest of the way.

“What the?” I walk closer to the window, trying to determine what’s going on when something moves across the glass. Jumping back, I rush for the bedroom door and try to open it, but it won’t move. Realising we have gone into complete lockdown I uncover the keypad and type in the code, but nothing happens.

“Come on,” I mutter to myself as I try the code again, but it still doesn't do anything. “Shit.” Turning back to the window slowly, I can’t see anything there now other than the broken shutter still trying to close. Rushing to the bathroom where I left my phone, I lock the door and pull up the security number. In the last couple of days, the guys have drilled in the protocol for any situation I may encounter. One thing they all had in common was that I didn’t call any of them or answer my phone in case someone was looking for me, and the sound of my voice led them to me. I’m only meant to message security with any issues and tell them where I am.

Backing away from the bathroom door and hiding behind the bath as I pull up the number for security; it’s a group chat linked to the phone security will be using.

Jasmine: Is this a drill? My bedroom shutter didn’t close, and I’m locked in as my security code doesn’t work on the door.

I await the reply, but it’s not security who replies first.

Jason: Has the security system been activated? No notification has come to Christian’s or my phone.

Sean: Mine neither. Security, confirm what’s going on!

I open our personal group chat, and the five of us share and send a message.

Jasmine: The house has gone into lockdown. My shutter is broken and hasn’t shut. My door won't unlock, so I’ve hidden myself away.

Jason: We are on our way. Get in the panic room and stay there until one of us, Layton or Terry, comes to get you.

Jumping to my feet, I head over to the bathroom door and listen to see if I can hear anything from inside my room. The alarm is so loud that it’s impossible to hear anything else with the door closed. Slowly, I open the door, inch by inch, listening for anything that may mean someone is in my room. With the door open a tiny amount, I look through the gap and am confident that the room is clear before taking a chance and running to the wardrobe where the panic room is located.

As I run across the room, my phone vibrates in my hand, but I don’t risk looking at it. Something moves out of the corner of my eye as I pass the window, but I don’t let myself look. I continue to run until I reach the back of the wardrobe, where a panic room is hidden. Moving the clothes out of the way, I find the hidden compartment and open it to type in the code, praying it will work. Thankfully, the door opens, and I jump in before slamming it and locking it from the inside. I take a deep breath and try to calm my breathing. I’m safe now; no one can unlock it from the outside now that I’ve activated the lock inside.

Leaning against the door, I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing heart. I look at the small room around me and try to focus on it, not what could be happening in the house.

The room is tiny and situated between mine and Jason's room. They had it built before I moved in, knowing there was always a chance I would need it. It consists of four walls, all sound and bulletproof, and a door. On one of the walls, there is a TV, which I turn on, knowing it's linked to the CCTV, but it only connects to the camera in my room. There is also a phone beside it where I can contact the security hub. I pick up the phone and wait for it to connect, but when it continues to ring without being answered, my anxiety starts to grow.

Where the hell is everyone? Why are they not answering? There should be two members of the team in the hub and checking the grounds, as well as two of Calvin's armed guards. Surely, this must be a technical fault because there is no way someone could possibly get close enough to activate the alarm. The lockdown system has to be activated manually unless someone tries to force access into the property. Is that what I saw at my window? Was someone trying to get in? Why has my window shutter malfunctioned? I need to know what’s going on.

Lifting my phone to send a message, I realise there is one from Layton on the security group. It must have been why my phone vibrated when I was rushing into the wardrobe.

Layton: The lockdown programme was activated at 20:24. I’m unable to make contact with the team, and the notification system failed. As far as I know, Jaz, Mrs Brown, and two security guards are at the premises. I’m en route and will be there in less than 10 minutes. Terry will get there after me but is also en route. DO NOT enter the premises before I get there. Jaz and Mrs Brown, get in the panic rooms; you will be safe there. Only message via this thread to ensure everyone’s safety.

Knowing the guys and Layton and Terry, are on the way helps put my mind at ease a little. Whilst I’m locked in here, nothing can get to me. I freeze as I realise I might be safe, but what about Embry?

He’s locked in the conservatory, ready for bed. I never have him with me when I shower or have a bath, as he loves the water and keeps trying to join me, which makes a huge mess, so I locked him in there before coming upstairs. Tears fill my eyes as I worry he’s in danger. Do the conservatory doors and windows lock like the rest of the house?

Lifting my phone, I plan on asking someone to check on him when I realise I have no signal in here, so I have no way of contacting the others. Sitting back against the wall, I bring my knees up to my chest as I shake, feeling the cold from my wet towel. I should have known better and grabbed some clothes before coming in here. I make a mental note to place a few items of clothing in here. That’s when I notice a blanket tucked away in the corner and grab it before wrapping it around myself.

Sitting back, I try to keep calm and warm as I wait for someone to get home, let me know what the hell is going on, and check on my baby. If anything happens to him, I will make whoever hurt him pay, and I won’t be hiding behind my guys; it will be me they need to fear.

ChapterThirty-Two

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