“I know. I love you guys….so much.” She whispered as she looked between us all.
“We love you too, and we are never letting you go.” I promised her, and I damn well meant it. Olivia Byrd was meant to be with us and we needed to start making sure we took better care of her. We had come far too close to losing her again. I swore then, in that moment, that I would never let it happen again.
OLIVIA
I had spent much of the hour long car ride into Mount Vernon flitting between silent thoughts of my relief at getting Hailey and I out of there, and deep, body quaking sobbing against the guys as they passed me between them, all seeming to need to feel me in their arms to know I was really there with them. All except Kyle, who drove, but also maintained an eye on me in the rear view mirror throughout the ride.
I just felt so overwhelmed with the reality of what had happened over the last few days, with recalling losing Chris, with the memories of facing The Shadow again, and the horrifying images of his lifeless body landing on top of me. I could still feel his warm blood trickling down over my neck, the press of his weight suffocating me.
As we pulled up in front of a tall, high end looking hotel I saw Xander, Keira and Grant all stood at the entrance awaiting us. They all looked like the guys, in various states of dishevelled. Even Keira, who was always immaculate, was in crumpled clothes with no makeup and her hair scraped up into a ponytail.
“We’ve all been a mess looking for you and worrying.” Cole whispered into my ear, as if he had read my thoughts. I was curled up in his arms, not feeling strong enough to sit in my own seat. I needed the comfort of their strength around me, for the moment at least.
“We all needed you home, where you belong.” Kade added. He leant in and kissed my cheek softly, then opened the door and stepped out of the back of the car.
“How is she? Is she ok? Is she hurt?” Keira cried all at once and I looked up just as Grant soothingly pulled her into a half hug, in an effort to calm her.
“She’s ok Mom. Banged up, and shaken, but ok.” Kade assured her. Kyle and Matt climbed out too and appeared at the door Cole had opened at our side, around the other side of the car.
They both surrounded us as Cole stepped out, holding me securely, but carefully to his chest. I appreciated his care, since my whole body hurt with every tiny movement.
“Ok, Babygirl?” He asked as he adjusted his grip on me a little.
Feeling tearful once again, taken aback at the love I felt from Keira and Grant as they looked over to me with a mix of worry and relief, I just nodded my reply. Even that small movement had my head throbbing though.
“I’m so relieved to see you again, Sweetheart.” Xander whispered as Cole approached him and stopped at the entrance of the hotel. I tried to smile, relieved to see him too, but knew it was pained.
“Let’s get inside. She’s half frozen and in a lot of pain.” Kade directed.
“Yes, of course. I got us a suite with three bedrooms for now. It’s on the top floor.” Grant explained as he took the lead and we all moved as a group into the building. My guys surrounded Cole and I, and Xander and Keira trailed behind.
“I brought you all clean clothes, and Xander has the medical supplies he thought he’d need. We’ll have you all cleaned up and feeling better before you know it, Honey.” Keira soothed as we all crowded into an elevator.
“How’s Evie?” I asked. I had missed her very much. Being with Hailey the last couple of days had made me think of Evie often, and had increased my protective instincts toward the little fireball who had become like a sister to me.
“She’s missed you like crazy. I called her to tell her you’re safe and will be home soon. She was in the process of ordering Grant’s Mom to take her to the store when I hung up. She wanted to get ingredients to bake you a welcome home cake.” Keira laughed, but I saw the stress and worry of everything I had put her through all over her face, on all of their faces. I hated knowing I had brought The Shadow and his fucked up depravities into their family. If they had never have met me, they’d have spent the last few months happily living their lives and not stressing out over my mess.
“We’re more grateful than we can ever say that you’re back and safe Olivia.” Grant said softly. I looked up to where he stood opposite Cole, and the gentle smile on his face, accompanied by the genuine relief in his bright blue eyes helped calm me some. “We love you, Sweetheart. This family would never be the same without you.”
“I love you guys too.” I whispered through my choked sobs. I was exhausted, hurting and my emotions were a swirling torrent, but I knew one thing. I was surrounded by people I loved, who loved me, and that was enough.
“I put Olivia’s things in the master, along with all of your bags, boys. I assumed you wouldn’t want to leave her tonight?” Keira declared as we all walked into an opulently decorated suite of rooms.
The heat and pleasant smell of the room instantly had me relaxing further into Cole’s arms. My body still trembled with cold, and no matter how the guys had tried, I couldn’t get warm.
“Take her through. I need to check the extent of her injuries and make sure we don’t need to go to the ER.” Xander instructed, and I heard the disapproval in his voice. He obviously felt I should have
