Page 225 of Double Daddies
“Wren, can you tell us what happened?” one of the paramedics asks gently, but I can’t bring myself to speak.I glance at Elijah, who stands protectively beside me, his expression a mix of concern and anger.
“Just take care of her,” he says, his voice firm but laced with worry. “She’s been through hell.”
I can see the paramedics nodding, their expressions softening as they focus on me. “We’re going to clean those wounds and make sure you’re alright,” the female paramedic reassures me, her tone calming. “You’re safe now.”
I nod, but the fear still lingers. I don’t want to be touched, to be examined. The thought of someone else seeing the marks left on my skin feels vulnerable, exposing me in ways I’m not ready for.
“Wren,” Elijah says softly, leaning closer. “You’re safe. You can trust them.” His eyes are warm, and I can feel the strength of his presence grounding me.
Taking a deep breath, I finally allow myself to meet the paramedic’s gaze. “Okay,” I whisper, my voice shaky. They begin to clean the cuts on my face, and I wince at the sting of the antiseptic.
“Sorry about that,” the paramedic says gently. “You’ve got some bruising, but it looks like nothing is broken. Just some soft tissue damage. We’ll wrap these up and get you feeling better.”
I can’t help but glance at Elijah, who watches intently, his jaw clenched. I know he’s replaying the scene in his mind, wishing he could have been there sooner, wishing he could have prevented the hurt I endured.
“Little bird,” he says, his voice low, “you’re so strong. I’m proud of you for getting through this.” His words resonate within me, a flicker of strength igniting in the depths of my fear. “I couldn’t bear it if something worse happened to you.”
As the paramedics finish wrapping my injuries, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. The physical pain is still there, but knowing I’m no longer in Richard’s grasp makes it bearable. Ilook into Elijah’s eyes, and in that moment, I know I’m not alone.
“Let’s get you out of here,” he says, his voice steady and reassuring. I nod, feeling the weight of the past begin to lift, if only a little. “Ezra should be done with questioning by now.”
The mention of Ezra brings a sense of relief mixed with concern. I can’t help but wonder how he’s holding up after everything that happened. “Do you think he’s okay?” I ask, glancing around at the chaos still unfolding as police officers and paramedics work to secure the area.
Elijah nods, his expression serious but confident. “He’s tough. He’ll be fine. He’s just doing what he needs to do to make sure Richard is brought to justice.” There’s a fire in his eyes as he speaks, a determination that makes me feel a little stronger.
As we start to walk toward the ambulance, I can hear the distant sound of Ezra’s voice, raised but firm, as he talks to one of the officers. My heart swells at the thought of him fighting for us, for our safety.
“I just want to see him,” I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. The thought of being reunited with him fills me with a sense of hope.
“We will,” Elijah assures me, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Just a few more minutes, and then we can all be together. You need to rest and heal.”
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The bruises on my wrists and ankles throb, but it’s nothing compared to the relief of knowing I’m no longer in danger. “Okay,” I reply, trying to focus on the moment rather than the pain.
As we approach the other ambulance, I can see Ezra stepping away from the officer, his face a mixture of worry and relief as he spots us. The moment our eyes meet, I feel a rush of emotions—the fear, the pain, but most importantly, the gratitude that we’re all still here.
“Wren, baby!” he calls out, rushing toward us. I can see the concern etched on his face as he takes in my injuries. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, just a few bumps and bruises,” I say, forcing a smile despite the pain. “Thanks to you, Daddy. Both of you.”
Elijah’s expression softens, and I can see the relief washing over him. “You’re stronger than you know, Wren. We’re just glad you’re safe,” he replies, his voice filled with warmth.
Ezra steps closer, his eyes scanning my face with concern. “You really scared us back there. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you,” he admits, his voice trembling slightly. The sincerity in his words makes my heart swell.
“I’m so grateful you both came for me,” I say, my voice breaking slightly. “I don’t think I could have gotten through this without you. You both fought for me.”
Elijah shakes his head, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “We would do it all over again in a heartbeat. You mean too much to us.”
“So the bet–” I begin, my voice trailing off as I remember the initial shock of learning about it.
“It was a stupid thing,” Elijah interrupts, his expression turning serious. “We made a bet with some friends that we could win you over. But before we even pursued you, we both knew our feelings for you were genuine.”
I look at him, feeling a mix of disbelief and hope. “But I thought you were just trying to win a game. I thought I was just a prize.”
Ezra steps forward, his eyes earnest. “Wren, it started as a bet, but it quickly became so much more. We were drawn to you in a way we never expected. You captivated us with your spirit, your strength.”
Elijah nods, his gaze unwavering. “When we found out you were in trouble, it wasn’t just about saving you. It wasabout protecting what’s ours. We couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”
I feel a flicker of warmth in my chest at their words. “So you really do care about me?”
