Page 72 of The Marriage Narrative
Artemis was safe and secured.Lulie.
All Greek Statues were safe and secured.Camera pod personnel.
Three male perpetrators had been arrested—one had been escorted to the hospital.
Police were collecting statements from all employees present during the attack.
Incandescent rage rushed through Jordan’s body. An eye twitching, conscious thought erasing, fists clenching, teeth grinding kind of anguish that started in his chest, increasing with every incredulous heartbeat he went without hearing them say her name.
“Where is my wife?”Everyone turned to stare at him with shocked faces. “Did you allreallyjust forget she exists too? WHERE IS SHE?”
Wylie quickly stepped away from him only for Mabel to bravely take his place. “Zinnia is okay.” She mimed taking deep breaths. “They’re on their way here with a police escort. They’ll be here soon.”
“And she’s with them?”
“Yes. I made sure of it myself.”
Jordan locked eyes with his dad over the top of her head.
Regret filled his dad’s eyes for only a moment before it slipped away. He didn’t have time to apologize or admit the glaring oversight. Now was the time to lead, to make sure his family was safe and protected. “I want everyone in-house who knew about the surprise trip today questioned immediately,” his dad ordered.
“Already underway,” Timothy affirmed. “We’ll find the leak.”
Fifteen unbearable minutes later, they ran out the front door to meet the two SUVs skidding to a stop in the roundabout driveway.
If his dad had been any stronger, he would’ve ripped the doors off its hinges. Lulie leaped straight into his arms. His mom slid across the seat and hopped out, joining the hug.
Safe and secure.
Zinnia exited the second SUV alone. She closed the door and watched his parents and siblings with a bemused look on her face.
Jordan took the steps two at a time. It was a miracle he didn’t fall and break his neck. He vaguely heard his mom call him as he captured Zinnia in a bear hug.
All of him had twisted into a ferocious and desolate knot. It’d left him misshapen and aimless, unable to do anything. Seeing her, holding her, felt like a cramp letting go, returning him back to normal.
She was home. She was safe.
“You’re okay?” He searched her face for any signs she wasn’t. “You’re not hurt?”
“Kind of? I lost feeling in my hand for a little while. They don’t think it’s broken,” she said, sounding breathless. “I accidentally punched that guy.”
“Accidentally?”
“Accidentally…on purpose,” she admitted sheepishly. “I swear it just happened! I tried to apologize but—”
“No!” Lulie twisted away from their parents. Dark makeup clumped in her lashes and ran down her face in dried streaks. “She didn’t just punch him! She kicked the shit out of him! Alfie! She—”
“Okay, why don’t we go inside?” Their dad turned Lulie around, ushering her toward the house.
“Dad, no, wait, listen to me!” Lulie emphatically pointed at Zinnia. “She was incredible! You weren’t there! She saved me! I need to take kickboxing classes!”
ZnO2 Group Chat
ZINNIA:Love you both but I’m not scrolling up to read all that
ZINNIA:jk yes I am
ZINNIA:I can’t answer the phone right now. They’re having family time. I don’t think I’m allowed to leave
