Page 224 of Double Daddies
Thoughts whirl in my mind—what if this only escalated things?I feel a wave of nausea wash over me as I watch Richard fall to the ground, fury and pain etched on his face.
“Wren, stay close!” Elijah urges, pulling me back as he keeps his gun trained on Richard, who is now on the floor, cursing and writhing in agony.
I can’t take my eyes off Ezra. He stands there, breathing heavily, the weight of his actions settling on him. I want to run tohim, to tell him that I’m okay, that I’m safe, but I’m terrified of what might happen next.
“Wren, we need to go, now!” Elijah insists, and I finally tear my gaze away from Ezra, realizing that we’re not out of danger yet. My legs refuse to move, paralyzed by fear and adrenaline, and suddenly, they give out beneath me.
Before I hit the ground, Elijah is there, his strong arms wrapping around me and pulling me into his embrace. “I’ve got you,” he reassures me, his voice steady despite the chaos around us. I can feel his heart pounding against mine, and it gives me a strange sense of comfort amidst the turmoil.
“Ezra…” I whisper, panic rising in my throat. I can’t bear the thought of leaving him behind, of what might happen if we don’t get out of here fast.
“He’s right behind us,” Elijah says, his grip tightening as he begins to move, carrying me away from the scene. “We need to get to safety first.”
As he carries me, I glance back just in time to see Ezra standing tall, gun still raised, his expression a mix of determination and something else—fear, maybe?I can see he’s ready to protect us at all costs, and it fills me with both admiration and dread.
“Please, Ezra,” I whisper, my heart aching for him. “Be careful.”
We reach the exit, and I can hear the distant wail of sirens growing louder, but it feels like an eternity. I want to scream for him to hurry, to get out before Richard can retaliate. The thought of him facing Richard alone sends a wave of nausea through me.
“Hold on tight, little bird,” Elijah says, and I wrap my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder. I can feel the warmth of his body, the strength in his hold, and it gives me the courage I need to push through the fear.
As we burst through the door, the light hits me like a flood, and I squint against it, trying to catch a glimpse of what’s happening behind us. I can see Richard on the ground, struggling, and I feel a surge of mixed emotions.
Ezra steps back, keeping his gun trained on Richard, who is still seething with anger. “You’ll pay for this!” he shouts, but the sound is drowned out by the sirens approaching.
“Let’s go!” Elijah urges, and I realize we’re almost to safety. But I can’t shake the image of Ezra standing there, the weight of his decision hanging over him.
“Ezra!” I call out, my voice cracking. “Please, come on!”
He glances back at me, and for a brief moment, our eyes lock. In that instant, I can see the resolve in his gaze. He’s not just fighting for me; he’s fighting for all of us.
Then, in a swift motion, he pulls the trigger again, and the sound reverberates through the air like a thunderclap. My heart drops as I watch Richard go down for good, his body collapsing to the ground.
“Wren!” Elijah pulls me forward, and I can feel the adrenaline surging through me. I know we have to keep moving, but my mind is racing.Did he really just shoot him? Is it all over?
I can’t help but feel a mix of relief and horror as we rush toward the safety of the waiting police cars. I want to scream, to cry, to tell Ezra how much I appreciate what he just did for me. But all I can do is hold on tight to Elijah as tears stream down my swollen and painful cheeks.
My heart races, but the sight of the paramedics rushing toward us brings a mix of relief and anxiety. They’re here to help, but the thought of leaving Elijah’s arms is unbearable.
“Miss?” one of the paramedics calls, approaching us with urgency. “We need to take a look at you. Can you walk?”
I shake my head, burying my face deeper into Elijah’s shoulder. “No, I don’t want to leave him,” I murmur, my voice muffled. The warmth and safety of his embrace are all I want right now. I can’t bear the thought of being separated from him after everything that’s happened.
“Wren, you need to let them check you out,” Elijah says softly, his voice reassuring. “Daddy will be right here, I promise.”
But the fear of losing that connection, of being taken away from him, sends a wave of panic through me. I glance up at him, searching his eyes for reassurance. “What if they take me away? What if I can’t come back?”
“They won’t take you far,” he insists, his grip tightening around me. “I’ll be right here the whole time. You need to make sure you’re okay, and I can’t let you go until you do.”
The paramedics exchange glances, clearly understanding the bond between us. One of them kneels down, looking me in the eyes. “Wren, we just want to make sure you’re safe. It’s important. You’re going to be okay, but we need to check you out.”
I nod hesitantly, still feeling the weight of Elijah’s arms around me. “Okay,” I whisper, my heart pounding.
“Just a few minutes, I promise,” Elijah reassures me, his voice steady. “Then we can get out of here together.”
With a deep breath, I reluctantly let the paramedics assist me, but I keep my eyes locked on Elijah. He doesn’t let go, and I feel a surge of gratitude for his presence.
As the paramedics finish their assessment, I can feel their eyes scanning my body, taking in the wounds on my face and the bruises on my wrists and ankles. The memories of the pain flood back—Richard's fists striking me, the tight ropes binding me to the chair, each bruise a reminder of my captivity.
