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“That’s great. I’ll admit I was a little worried too. Drinking until you black out can’t be a great problem solver.”
“It’s not, and Nick knows that. He just didn’t know how else to handle things. He’s doing better since you came. We all are,” Aleks said as he reached across the center console and grasped my hand in his.
“I know the feeling,” I agreed as I smiled at him. We drove the rest of the short journey in a comfortable silence, our hands clasped between us.
By the time Aleks pulled up outside the daycare I was so relaxed I was starting to doze off. It had been a crazy night the previous night and I was still pretty tired.
“Come on, malenka. I’d let you sleep, but I want you at my side where I know you’re safe,” Aleks said as he shut off the engine and unclipped his seatbelt.
“It’s okay. I was just comfortable,” I assured him with a sleepy smile. “Let’s go and get the little man.”
“Wait until I come around so I can help you out,” he told me, then he jumped out of the truck and jogged around the hood to me.
I couldn’t hide my goofy, lust filled smile as he opened the door in his Ray Bans and smiled at me. He looked so good in the close fitting t-shirt and jeans he wore under his charcoal gray peacoat. I wanted to kiss him, but the timing seemed inappropriate. Kids could be watching from the windows of the brightly colored building before us.
Aleks wrapped his hands around my waist and lifted me down to the sidewalk, before closing the door, then taking my hand. He brought our clasped hands up to his lips and kissed my knuckles. It was such a sweet gesture and it had me smiling even more geekily.
“This place is adorable,” I sighed as I looked up at the small single storey building. It had brightly colored stickers of animals in the windows and the outside of the building was painted with a jungle scene. The lawn out front was planted with grasses and plants that fitted with the theme and it was all so neat and perfect.
“It’s a great daycare. We all just think Zack would rather be home with us though,” Aleks told me.
“I’m sure he would. He loves you guys.”
“At least we can keep him with us for this week, or as long as Kayla’s off with her new fancy man, anyway.”
“Let’s go and get him. I can’t wait to get my hands on him!” I said excitedly. Aleks nodded and led me to the entrance, pressing the buzzer to be admitted.
When we walked inside the reception area was just as colorful and playful as the outside. Murals adorned the walls, and the chairs in the waiting area were even covered in animal prints. I could hear kids happily playing together and it was just a great atmosphere. I leant back against the wall near the door while Aleks went to the desk to give his details.
There were several other parents waiting around, and some were with their kids already, helping them tie shoes, or pull on backpacks. It was an idyllic scene to me, and I hoped one day I’d be one of the parents, dropping my own child off to socialize for a few hours. I also hoped I’d be picking them up to go home to their four, hot as sin daddies, but that really was getting ahead of myself.
“I just need to collect him from his room. Are you okay there for a minute? I’d bring you in, but your name’s not on the list so you can’t,” Aleks explained as he turned to me. He looked torn.
“I’m fine,” I laughed. The door behind me was locked and the room was filled with people. I’d be fine. “Go get him.”
“Two minutes,” Aleks promised with a nervous smile. I nodded confidently and waved him off with a laugh. I watched him turn down a corridor then tried not to panic that I was actually alone. I had just convinced him I was safe. I could not freak out!
The door beside me buzzed and I stepped aside to allow the delivery guy in. His arms were laden with boxes as he pushed his way inside once the door was released for him. I was barely paying attention as he dropped the boxes off at the reception desk.
I focused on a woman around my age, helping her daughter zip up her sparkly pink coat. The little girl had blonde bunches, just like I used to have when I was around that age, and it made me think about my own parents. I missed them so much. I hoped I would get to see them soon. I was desperate to feel them hold me and tell me everything would be okay. I had needed that for so long now.
“Hello Eight.” I heard the voice and my heart stuttered in my chest. I didn’t want to look up, but I knew I had to. I lifted my head slowly, dread and adrenaline filling me in equal measure. The delivery guy stood before me now. His baseball cap was pulled low, but I could see his face, and more importantly, his eyes. It was him. Soloman.
I frantically looked around me as my body started to tremble violently. Instantly my hands were sweating and my mouth was dry. My heart pounded so hard I worried I’d have a heart attack right there on the spot. I looked in the direction Aleks had gone, but only for a split second, too scared to take my eyes from him for too long.
“Don’t make a sound. You say anything and I’ll kill everyone here before I kill you and your little friend,” he hissed close to my ear. I felt something dig into my side and when I looked down he was pressing the barrel of a handgun into my hip. “I warned you. You broke the rules again. You know what that means,” he went on.
“Please…” I squeaked, terrified for my family and the guys, way more than for myself. If anything happened to them it would all be on me.
“Not a sound!” he hissed. “You’re coming with me. I want you to turn around and calmly exit the building. You try to do anything to alert anyone and I will shoot everyone in here, starting with the kids!” he hissed so only I could hear him.
I gave a weak nod and turned towards the door. What else could I do? I didn’t doubt his threat. He was crazy. I couldn’t risk him hurting anyone else. I pressed the release button for the door and pushed through it. Part of me was desperate for Aleks to come out and see what was going on before it was too late, and part of me was praying he wouldn’t, so there was no chance of him or Zack getting hurt.
I was shaking so badly I could barely walk. I couldn’t go back to that hell. I wouldn’t be strong enough to survive it this time. I barely survived last time,
Maybe he’ll just kill you for breaking the rules? My brain theorized. That would be preferable to ever facing his torture again. At least it would all be over quickly. I didn’t want to die. I had so much to live for. My family. My career. My guys. I thought of all four of them. We hadn’t even given these feelings between us a chance yet. I wanted that. I wanted that chance with them. I had so much to fight for. I just wasn’t sure I had any fight left in me to do it though. Not again.
Tears dripped down my cheeks as I walked away from my only safety and protection and gave myself over to the monster who had already broken me beyond all recognition.
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