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ISLA
It takes forty-five minutes to get all the paperwork turned in and grab the work order for the background check. After explaining how to proceed with everything, Chris grills me about the guys, and I have a mini breakdown because everything is moving so fast. He and Nathan assure me everything will be okay, pointing out that sometimes life happens faster than expected and reminding me to roll with it.
“So you really just met all of them?” Chris asks after I explain the last couple months of my life to him and Nathan.
“YES! This is crazy huh? Being so close so fast?” I ask worriedly.
“No, I don’t think so. Not after everything you and the kids have been through. You get a sixth sense about people after all that trauma, so trust your gut babe.” Nathan squeezes my hand in comfort.
“Thanks guys, I can’t tell you how nice it is to have people to talk to. I haven’t had friends in years,” I tell them sadly.
“Well you do now! However, we unfortunately have to get back to work,” Chris sighs sadly.
“Yeah, I have to go do the background check stuff so, I’ll see y’all later!” I tell them as I walk out of the office.
They both call out their goodbyes.
I really enjoy getting to know them some, and hopefully once I get more settled I can invite them to dinner or something.
As I start to walk toward the front door, Chris calls out to me, and I pause to turn back. “Hey Isla, would you want to have dinner with me and Nathan one day soon?” Well that solves that, doesn’t it.
Smiling at him, I reply excitedly. “Sure! I’d love to!” New job, new guys, and new friends. Life is going so well, I feel unstoppable.
Finally walking out to my car, I pull out my phone to text Odin that I’m headed his way when I notice a big envelope on my windshield. I don’t think anything of it at first, but when I open it that immediately changes. I can feel the color drain from my face, and my heart stops. There are dozens of pictures of me and the kids since we moved here.
The grocery store, the guys fishing with the kids, Lochlan being loaded into the ambulance, leaving the hospital, the guys playing in the pool with the kids. Me being hugged or kissed by each of them. Everything. I’m shaking as I manage to unlock my car, flinging myself into the front seat and locking the door. I remember my phone and after several attempts, I successfully dial Odin’s number.
He picks up on the first ring. “Hey Babygirl, did you get lost already?”
“Odin?” I say with a shaky voice.
He must hear the panic in my voice, because his tone changes from playful to serious. “Isla, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Are the kids okay?” he rapid fires the questions at me.
“When I walked out of the school there was an envelope on my windshield. It has pictures, recent ones, of the kids, of me, and of us. There is a note too, Odin. It says ‘You will never take them from me, they will always be mine. I’ll have them back soon.’ Someone is stalking my babies!” At this point I am sobbing, unable to keep my composure.
“I’m on the way, Babygirl. Lock your car and stay put okay? I’m calling Silas to meet me since he’s closer. I want him to check the car out before you drive it.” I can hear him yelling at people to move and the slamming of a car door.
“Okay, I’ll see you in a minute.” I can’t stop looking at the pictures. It has to be Corin’s mom. I don’t know who else would want to take the kids but I don’t really understand why she would either. She hasn’t seen them in over a year. One thing I know for sure is, I can’t lose my kids. I won’t survive it.
I’m sitting in my car still crying when I hear a knock at my window, making me jump. Looking up, I see Silas waiting on me to open the door with a worried look on his face. I unlock my door and fling it open, throwing myself at him. Despite the tears streaming down my face, he rubs my back, trying to get me to calm down when the sound of squealing tires announces Odin turning into the parking lot.
He comes running up to my car, concern etched on his face. “Babygirl, are you okay?” he asks, pulling me into a hug. “Where is everything?’’
As I point him to the stack of pictures on the front seat of my car, he gives me one last kiss and slips a glove on.
“Unfortunately, I’m sure whoever left these wore gloves, but I called Chris and he was checking the video feeds just in case. I’m going to drive you to the station and Silas is going to take your car to the shop to check it out, okay baby? Give Silas a kiss, grab the paperwork you need and let's go to my car.”
He slips the pictures and envelope in an evidence bag he pulled from his pocket. I normally don’t like being given orders, but something about these guys makes me want to obey, and it helps snap me out of my panic somewhat.
I give Silas a lingering kiss and get my bag and phone out of my car, letting Odin lead me to his patrol car with a hand on my lower back. “Wanna sit in the front?” he asks, his voice dropping to a huskier tone. “Or I could handcuff you in the back?” He nips my ear.
A shiver runs down my spine, making my voice breathless when I reply. “I’ll ride up front, and we can discuss the handcuffs later, because that sounds like fun. I can’t wait to be at your mercy, Sir.”
I don’t miss the mix of heat and shock in his eyes. Our banter has helped calm me down a lot. Even though I know that was his goal, I’m definitely curious to explore the submissive side I didn’t realize I had.
The ride to the station is a mix of smoldering looks from Odin, and fielding texts from the other guys assuring them that I’m okay.
* * *
