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I’m instantly on edge, but too scared to move. I just lie here, staring at the curtain-covered window. I turn the volume on the TV down, trying to hear whatever it is that spooked Dream. She hops off my lap and races to the open door of my bedroom.
“Some protector you are!” I grumble as I pull the blanket up to my nose. I want to follow Dream into my room, but I don’t know if I can get myself off this couch.
In the end, I opt for staying tucked firmly under the couch blanket and keeping my eyes on the window.
It’s not until the sun is shining in my face the next morning, that I manage to drag my sore body off to the bedroom. It’s a Saturday, so I have to work, but I overslept.
I’m in a rush, not bothering to shower as I run out the door. I freeze three steps out the door.
My tires…no fucking way.
My hands shake as I approach the vehicle. What the hell? There are no other tire marks in the snow leading up the road, but there are boot prints. Someone with big feet was here last night, and they slashed my tires.
Fuck this. I run back into my house, pack myself a bag, and then grab some things I’ll need for Dream. I usher the disgruntled feline into her kitty-safe travel carrier, and I run out the door. I place Dream’s kennel down gently, but then I just toss the rest into my bike basket and peddle my little heart out until I make it to the twins’ café. They might be out of town, but Daphne is here.
“Can I borrow your phone?” I ask as I run to the counter, carrying Dream in her kitty jail. The Cat meows loudly in protest. Daphne nods, pulls her phone out, and hands it to me.
I use my own useless phone to find Anton’s number and dial it on Daphne’s.
“Hello?” Anton’s voice carries a bit of hostility, probably worried I’m an annoying relative who managed to get my hands on his new number. I only have it because he entered it himself when he received the new one.
“It’s Sapphire. I’m at the twins’ shop. I need you to come get me, please,” I beg, but Anton doesn’t even hesitate.
“I’ll be there in ten. Are you okay?” he asks, and I nod until I realize he can’t see that.
“Physically, yes. Please, hurry.” I hang up, handing Daph her phone back, and in exchange, she hands me a hot coffee. “Thank you,” I mumble, carrying my baby over to the booth and placing her carrier on the table.
I frown as I take a sip of the coffee. It tastes different. Like fundamentally different.
“Did you guys get new coffee beans?” I ask, and Daph shakes her head no.
“They’re the same ones as always,” she says. I must have thrown her off with the random question because she returns to her job with a perturbed look in her eyes.
I’m still frowning at the coffee when Anton storms inside. He heads straight for me and scoops me into his arms as he slides into the booth beside me.
“What happened?” he asks as he crushes me to his chest. I shake my head as I try to compose myself. Now that he’s here, I finally relax, which means the tears come falling hard and fast.
“Last night, Dream heard something outside that spooked her, and then this morning my tires were all flat. I didn’t get close enough to see much. I just grabbed Dream and some of my stuff and ran,” I tell him as he strokes my hair soothingly. The thick arm wrapped around my waist is a relief, and I sink into him.
“You’re staying with me.” Anton’s growl is so angry that I shiver. I know the anger isn’t for me, but it’s still an unsettling sound. Somehow, it just makes me feel safer.
So that’s how I end up at Anton’s house for the next three days. His comforting presence and his ability to take my mind off of the incident and calm me down so well that I practically forget the entire situation.
Sex in the shower, on the dining room table, and against the wall of his house all serve as the very best distraction, I must say. My loneliness is gone in an instant, and by the time I head back to work Monday afternoon, Elijah is there.
I thought it was odd that Anton insisted on not only driving me to work but also walking me in the front door. Then Elijah scoops me into a bear hug, and it all makes sense. They’re keeping their eyes on me.
“I’ll see you tonight?” Anton asks as he kisses my cheek. I nod my head, blushing because I’m still wrapped in Elijah’s arms.
“Thought she was staying with me tonight?” Eli yells at Anton’s back.
“She’s staying with you in three days,” Anton waves a hand in the air but never turns around.
Eli grumbles but says nothing as he leads me to the back room. I follow him, giggling the whole way, since he’s practically dragging me along behind him.
“You okay?” he asks, worry has his eyes searching every inch of my face. I nod, still blushing. These men are clearly talking amongst themselves about whose bed I’ll be in this week. “Good.”
“You look cute when you’re worried about me,” I tease, lightening the mood, as I press a kiss to his cheek. Eli groans against my lips, and in the next second, I’m being bent over the desk in the back office, and my pants are tugged down to my knees.
