“I’m tired.” I whispered as the EMT finally seemed to be done poking and prodding me. Wordlessly Kade gathered me into his arms and picked me up, pressing me tight to his chest and burying his face in my wild hair.
“I thought we lost you.” He said quietly, his words filled with anguish.
“I thought you lost me too for a minute there.” I sighed. “He wants me back, Kade. Why? Why would he want me back?”
“I don’t know Livy, but he’s not getting you. We’ll be more careful now, and we will keep you safe.” Too exhausted and in shock from it all to argue, I just curled up onto his warm chest as he discussed my minor injuries with the EMT. I wasn’t listening to what they said, too lost in the terrifying thought that if The Shadow really did want me back, there would be little that could stop him in the end. There was no way I would allow my guys or my family to put their lives at risk to protect me either. The only thing worse than going back to The Darkness, would be losing one of them.
“LIV!” Kyle’s desperate call for me had me looking up until my eyes landed on him. He stood with his parents beside Keira’s car and was looking around frantically for me. Cole and Matt were standing behind him, looking just as wildly panicked.
Kade made some kind of whistle and all three stares moved to where we stood about twenty feet away from them.
“Liv! Fuck! Is she ok?” Kyle gasped as the three of them ran over to where we stood. Kyle leant in and studied my face, while Cole and Matt stayed back a little.
“EMT thinks she may have a mild concussion, but nothing to worry about. She’s just a little bruised and badly shaken.” Kade explained.
“Was it him? The kidnapper?” Cole asked.
“Yeah. I’ve got the whole city looking for the fucker now though.”
“Are you ok, Baby?” Kyle asked as he took my hand in his. I was still shaking and completely wiped out. How the hell had this day taken such a dramatic turn?
“Yes.” I whispered, but then after a moment’s thought, I shook my head in contradiction to my answer, as tears started to escape, and I just let go of what little control I was clinging to.
“It’s all going to be ok, I promise. We’re not going to let that man hurt you ever again.” Kyle soothed as he ran a hand over my forehead soothingly.
“Guys, why don’t you take Livy to the car while Kyle and I sort things out here, then we can all get home, ok?” Kade suggested as he looked to Cole and Matt.
“Yeah, ok. Come on Babygirl, let’s get you out of the cold.” Cole agreed as he took me from Kade and held me tighter than usual.
“I’m ok Cole. You can put me down.” I told him, but he just squeezed me tighter as he leant in to kiss my forehead.
“Not a chance. I need to feel you in my arms after today.” He whispered.
“We’re never letting you out of our sight again after this Cariña.” Matt added as they both headed away from the flashing lights of the police cars and ambulance.
“I just don’t get it. Why would he want me back? I’m too old for his tastes now, aren’t I?” I sighed, confused and terrified.
“Who knows how someone as sick as that sonofabitch’s mind works.” Matt hissed angrily.
“It doesn’t matter Brains. I don’t care why he came after you or what he wants. He tries again and we’ll kill him. He’s never getting his hands on you ever again. We’re not going to let it happen, ever.” Cole growled.
“I can’t Cole.” I whimpered tearfully. “I can’t go back to that…..I couldn’t survive it again.” I knew that was weak, especially when somewhere close by there was a ten year old girl suffering in that hell, but I just couldn’t even stand the thought of going back to The Darkness. I meant what I said, I would never be strong enough to live through what that monster put me through, again.
“You are never going back, Babygirl. You’re staying right here with us, where you belong.” He squeezed me even tighter and I relished the constriction, knowing as long as I felt it, I was safe.
“Olivia!” Grant called, and a second later he was running towards us. “Are you ok? What did the EMT say?” He asked frantically. He was clearly worked up by the whole thing, and who could blame him? His wife and daughter had been at the threat of an evil kidnapper.
“I’m so sorry Grant.” I cried, hating the danger I had put his family in.
He and the guys all looked down at me with confusion, their stares questioning.
“What on earth are you apologising for Olivia? None of this was your fault, Sweetheart.” Grant said after a moment.
“But it was. He came for me! I put Keira and Evie in his path.” I protested. “They could have been hurt!”
“Livy….” Matt began, but Grant cut him off.
“No Olivia! I’m not going to allow you to take any responsibility for the actions of a man who is quite obviously deranged. What happened here today was no one’s fault but his, and when Kade and the CPD catch him, he will pay the price for all that he has done. We’ll make damned sure of it!” It was clear he was angry, they all were. I was! How dare that monster come for me, to torture me further, after everything he had already done to me! Surely even a man as evil as The Shadow, would feel I had been through enough. Couldn’t he just leave me alone? Couldn’t he just leave me with the shreds of my sanity and dignity I was clinging to?
“It’s going to be alright, Sweetheart. The
