My heart drops to the floor because she thinks for a second that we’re mad at her.
My hand immediately finds the back of her head, cradling her and pulling her tighter between us. “Don’t apologize.”
“We’ve got you,” Asher assures her.
She nods into us, and we let her hold on until she’s had her fill, slowly pulling away. “I wanted to tell you. I?—”
“Shh. It’s okay. We know you had your reasons. Seriously, you don’t owe us an apology foranything. Besides, you might’ve saved our asses tonight.” I cup her cheek, brushing her soft skin with my thumb.
Asher continues, “We’re not mad, Princess. Don’t look so scared. We get it.”
Her breathing is erratic, unbridled, and I can’t help but to wonder who instilled this reaction in her, this innate fear to offer endless apologies and tears.
A knock sounds on the door, and she freezes to stone.
“Oh God.”
“It’s probably just Jules,” I mutter, and her head slowly shakes.
“Cirella. Open the door.”
It’s definitely not Jules. That kind of sounded like … Adrianna.
“Youbolted the door? You have ten seconds. I swear to God.”
Cirella’s eyes are wide with terror as she whispers, “I’ll explain everything. I promise. Butpleasehide. Please. Please.Please.” Tears well in her eyes, brimming over the edge. “In my wardrobes. Under my bed.”
She ushers us back, and we let her push us to our knees.
“Promise me, whatever happens, you’ll stay hidden,” she begs.
“What?” I scoff.
“Promise me,” she urges. “No matter what.”
“We promise,” Asher says, and to my dismay, I agree.
We burst into action, fully sinking under the bed.
It’s a tight fit with our height and size, but we disappear behind the bed skirt, out of sight, facing the door with our bent legs against the back wall.
“Please keep Gus safe.”
She shoves Gus under the bed, pushing him past the thin fabric, and I scoop him into my hands, pulling him into my neck. He settles in without struggle, like he’s just as scared as she is.
Glancing over at Asher, I find him staring back with shock, and he mouths the words, the slightest bit audible, “What the fuck?”
“I don’t know,” I exhale. “I think we’re about to find out though.”
Swiftly, she takes a few deep breaths, seemingly calming herself before rushing to the door. “I’m coming! I’m so sorry!”
A moment later, I hear the click of the bolt shifting out of place and the door abruptly opening, air whooshing from the force before it bangs against the wall.
I recognize Adrianna’s voice clear as day.
Even clearer though, I recognize the collision of a firm slap reverberating off of someone’s cheek.
My entire body jerks, and I’m ready to rush out from under here and break Adrianna’s fucking hand because I know damn well it wasn’t Cirella who struck her.
