Page 208 of Double Daddies
“Already taken care of, little bird. You’re coming with us,” Eli demands.
I grab my blanket, shaking it out before folding it quickly and shoving it into my bag. Elijah grabs my bag and we head toward the parking lot.
I feel safe between the two of them. I can’t help but wonder how long it will last.How long until they grow bored of me? How long until they find out about my past and decide I’m not worth the drama?My chest aches at the thought of being cast aside by them. I don’t know when it happened, but Ezra and Elijah have gotten under my skin and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.
We get back to their place, and I can’t stop thinking about Richard and how he was there. I know I saw him. He was watching me, and the fear that grips me is like a vice squeezing my heart.
Elijah guides me to a chair and I sit, staring out the window at the city below. The lights are bright and twinkling, but all I can see is the darkness that lurks within my mind.
Ezra kneels in front of me, taking my hands in his. “What happened, Wren?” His voice is soft and gentle, but I can hear the underlying concern.
“I saw him. He was there, watching me,” I whisper, the words barely audible. The fear that I’ve been holding in all day threatens to consume me, and I can’t stop the tears that spring to my eyes. “He found me.”
“Who is he?” Elijah asks, his voice a low growl, the protective edge evident in his tone.
I take a deep breath, gathering the courage to finally say his name.
“Richard Baines. He’s my ex-boyfriend.”
The moment the name leaves my lips, a heavy silence fills the air. I can see the shift in their expressions, the way concern morphs into something darker.
The twins exchange a look, and I can see the anger in their eyes. “Did you know he was in Chicago?” Eli asks, his tone measured and controlled.
“I thought he was still in Tennessee. He must have followed me.” The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and I feel sick to my stomach.
I've been so careful, so cautious, and yet he still found me. The thought of what he could do, of what he’s already done, sends a chill down my spine.
A wave of nausea washes over me. “He just… he just stood there, watching. It felt like he was waiting for me to notice him. I couldn’t breathe. I felt like I was going to pass out.”
Elijah’s jaw clenches, and I can see the muscles in his arms tense. “Wren, you’re safe now. He can’t hurt you. We won’t let him.”
The panic begins to rise within me, I feel my breaths becoming shallow and rapid. My heart races, pounding in mychest like a wild animal trying to escape. “I can’t… I can’t breathe…” I gasp, the world around me starting to spin.
Ezra’s grip on my hands tightens further, and I can see the concern etched on his face. “Wren, focus on me. You’re okay. Just breathe with me.”
But the words feel distant as the room around me closes in. I can’t shake the feeling of being trapped, and the darkness creeps closer. “I’m scared… I can’t… I can’t do this…” I stammer, tears streaming down my cheeks.
“Wren, listen to my voice,” Elijah says, his tone steady and calming. “You’re safe. You’re not alone. Just breathe. Inhale through your nose… and exhale through your mouth.”
I try to follow his instructions, but the panic feels suffocating. I squeeze Ezra’s hands, desperately seeking comfort. “I don’t want to feel this way!” I cry, my voice breaking.
Ezra shifts closer, his presence a grounding force. “You’re not alone, Wren. We’re right here. Just keep focusing on us. You’re safe with us.”
With their encouragement, I manage to take a shaky breath, feeling the tension in my chest begin to ease, if only slightly. “I’m trying,” I whisper, my voice trembling.
“Good. That’s all you need to do,” Elijah reassures me, his eyes locked onto mine. “Just keep breathing. You’re doing great, little bird.”
“I can’t believe he found me…” My eyes fall closed as more tears fall down my cheeks. “How do you know…” I trail off. “You already know, don’t you?”
“You don’t have to tell us everything,uccellina, but we will need to know the whole truth soon. It’s important for your safety and ours. We can protect you,” Ezra promises.
I nod as another tear rolls down my face. “I know. I’m just scared and tired of being scared.”
“Why don’t we watch a movie or something and just have a quiet night in? We’ll cook for you. How’s that sound?”
I wipe my face. “Sounds good, actually.”
“Then that’s what we will do. Come on.” Elijah stands then reaches for my hand to help me up. “It’s going to be okay, Wren. You’re not alone anymore. You have us.”
