Page 79 of Four Fiances & I

“Where’s the gun, Sweetheart?”

I have to think about it for a moment because I don’t remember, but then I remember it falling from my hand.

“On the bed or beside it,” I reply.

“I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were alone. If I had known you were so scared, I would have come to you myself.”

“Of course, she was scared. For fuck’s sake, Christian. She’s terrified of losing you, of losing all of us.”

“I can't lose you,” I whisper into his chest as he runs a hand over my hair repeatedly.

“I’m not going anywhere, Sweetheart. You are stuck with me for the rest of your life, whether you like it or not.” He kisses my head again. “No one will ever take me from you.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Daddy,” I sigh before yawning, exhausted after my panic attack. They always leave me so drained, and now that I know the guys are all safe, I can tell I’m going to fall asleep.

“It’s not a promise; it’s a vow. I will never leave you.”

I want to believe him wholeheartedly, but I don’t think I truly will until we know this threat hanging over our heads has gone. For now, I stay curled up on his lap, listening to his heart as he holds me tight and promises me the world.

* * *

Christian

Jasmine sleeps soundly in my arms, her head resting on my chest as she clings to my shirt. She’s been asleep for about twenty minutes now after exhausting herself.

When Jason kicked the door, shouting for me, I threw it open, and my heart stopped. I could see her shaking in his arms, crying uncontrollably, and for a second, I thought she had been injured. Even though I was aware we had been locked down, every scenario of someone somehow getting to her rushed through my mind all at the same time. I think I saw twenty ways she could have been hurt in less than ten seconds. My heart broke into a million pieces when Jason pointed out it was my fault she was so broken.

I hadn’t even thought to check on her after the security system was checked. I thought Jason was with her, and she would be fine. It never even occurred to me that they had activated the alarm early, let alone that it meant she was probably alone. Jason is right; she has heard over and over again that someone wishes to kill me. It must have been terrifying to be in bed when the alarm sounded, waking up alone.

I’m a fucking idiot.

“How is she?”

I lift my head to see Maximus and Jason walking into the room. I tuck in the blanket I placed around Jasmine as I look at her sleeping face.

“Worn out,” I whisper as Maximus stands before me, looking down at the sleeping Jasmine.

“If she wasn't on your lap, I’d fucking kick your arse,” he growls through gritted teeth, staring at me in a way that makes me wonder if he may be the one to kill me in the end. “She went through hell yesterday, as well as having to discuss her abuse with us. Then you leave her alone in bed, knowing full well there will be a lockdown drill. Are you completely stupid? Or just a heartless fuck?”

“Enough!” Jason snaps. “Us fighting is the last thing she needs right now,” he warns, stepping between us. Not that he would hit me whilst I have Jasmine asleep in my arms.

Maximus and I continue to stare at each other for a moment before he moves away and takes his usual seat. Jason looks at the two of us for a moment before deciding it’s safe to move. He sits in his spot, letting out a deep sigh.

“I need you to take control today,” I say, looking at Jason. “We need copies of all security schedules and plans for all situations.” I look down at Jasmine as she stirs slightly. “I’m not letting her out of my sight today. I think we both need a day together.”

“Any events or meetings you want called off?” Jason asks. I know what he’s referring to, and I open my mouth to say yes, but Jasmine chooses that moment to wake up.

“Not my hen party.”

I look down to find her looking up at me.

“Or the wedding.”

I open my mouth to argue that it may be for the best, but Jasmine sits up on my lap and looks me dead in the eye. “Don’t even think about it because if you do, it’s not other people you need to be scared of; it's me.”

“Sweetheart, you have just been crying to the point you passed out from exhaustion. With everything you have been dealing with, you’re physically and emotionally exhausted. If that’s not a reason to ensure we all stay safe, then-”

“Stop.” Her tone halts me mid-sentence. “I am not cancelling our wedding, the blessing, or my hen party. I refuse to let anyone think that I am still the weak little thing I was when I was kidnapped. I am going to be an O’Reilly, which means I back down to no one, including you.”

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