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“Stop fighting, please, Ella. Let Maddox carry you back outside, E,” the frantic feminine voice sounds familiar and it penetrates through the words looping continuously in my brain. “She’s calming down. Maybe try again.”
“What the fuck happened?” the man’s voice growls. He’s angry. Is he mad at me? But, I didn’t do anything. “I know you didn’t baby, I know, calm down. I’m not mad at you.”
Fuck, I guess I said that out loud.
“I don’t think she’s aware of what’s going on, Maddox. Gianna, should we call Hunter?”
Gianna? Hunter?
Maddox.
“I’m here baby girl. I’ve got you.” Arms tighten around me and I feel myself being lifted in the air. I force myself to breathe and it’s then that I smell something familiar.
Musk, rum, vanilla. Sweet and spicy.
Maddox.
I peel my eyes open just as I feel gravity shift again. I blink past the brightness feeling dizzy and nauseous. My eyes adjust and confused with what just happened, I take in my surroundings. I’m cradled in Maddox’s arms while he sits on the ground and leans against a brick wall. The expression on his face is one I’ve never seen him wear before. He looks fucking terrified. I don’t know why but I can understand the feeling.
Terror, pain, and coldness like I’ve never experienced are coursing through my veins in equal measure. My head is pounding and I can feel my entire body trembling with the need to run and hide. My mouth is dry and I need to swallow but there’s not enough saliva to do it.
“Are you okay?” Maddox murmurs, his face pinched in concern. I don’t know why. Does he feel what I’m feeling too? “Ella, I’m trying really hard to stay calm for you right now but I need you to give me something, anything. Please.”
Is he talking to me? I want to respond, I want to calm him down. I try to open my mouth but I can’t. Nothing comes out.
“Is he in there or something Gianna?” Maddox growls, never taking his eyes off of me but his voice is full of rage. His arms squeeze my body tightly but it doesn’t help the onslaught of fear that washes over me once more.
“Seriously, Maddox? You think I’d let him inside without killing him myself?” Gianna bellows, her fists clenching like she’s ready to hit someone. But I can’t focus on her. My mind is spinning again.
He’s here? No. No. I need to run. He can't find me again.
“Let Daddy touch you, Little Doll.”
“No!” The word flies out of me without thought. My voice is so rough and hoarse, that it feels like it's been ripped from my soul. “Keep him away!” I scramble to get off Maddox’s lap, pushing his tight hold off of me. I need to go.Weneed to go. I can’t leave Maddox. He’s not safe here either. He likes boys too. “We have to go. Now! Please!” I beg, my insides clawing at me, fighting with the memories that want to force me down. Fighting against my muscles that are ready to escape.
“Baby girl, stop!” Maddox barks, command clear in his voice. “Who is here? What happened?”
“He’s not here, Ella. Drew isn’t in there, I promise. You’re safe,” Olivia whispers through her tears.
Drew? My head darts between the three of them. Maddox and I are both standing now and I take in our surroundings. Really take them in. We’re outside in front ofThe Grind.
The Grind.
Work.
Fuck.
Everything comes crashing back and another wave of dizziness hits me fast, making me woozy on my feet. Maddox catches me easily, wrapping me up in his big arms and bringing me into his chest.
“Tell me what you need,” he whispers, his voice now sounding broken. “I had Olivia call Gage. They’re coming with the SUV right now, okay? I promise you’re safe with me, baby. Nothing is going to touch you when I’m with you, I swear on my life, Ella.”
Maddox continues to hold me, rocking our bodies back a forth as he whispers words of reassurance. My panic attack never stops but the need to run does. I understand what he’s saying, the words finally penetrating through the thick fog that was surrounding me only minutes ago. But it’s going to take a while for my body to catch up with my brain.
I don’t know how long we stay like that, but my cocoon of warmth and safety is all too quickly disturbed by the sound of screeching tires and doors slamming.
“What the fuck happened?” Gage growls from somewhere behind me. My face is still firmly planted in Maddox’s chest while he sways us back and forth. My arms are a dead, shaking weight next to my body but it hasn’t stopped him from holding me tight enough for both of us.
“Hey, I’m going to put you in the car while I talk to Gage, okay?” Maddox murmurs, but I can’t respond. I can’t even move. He must understand this because I’m quickly being picked off my feet and carried to the Range Rover. Gage opens the back door, his face a mix of fury and anxiety. I can’t help him with that. Not right now.
