Page 28

28

SEBASTIAN

After three agonizing days, Ella was finally released from the hospital, and Ryan brought her to me at the rundown motel. As soon as I laid eyes on her frail figure, we crashed into each other’s arms, tears streaming down our cheeks in a torrent of emotions. Ella’s touch was a lifeline, grounding me in reality after the nightmare we had endured. All the terror and uncertainty of never being able to hold one another again melted away as our lips met in a desperate kiss, grasping onto each other as if our survival depended on it. It did.

I whispered against her mouth, “I thought I had lost you forever.”

Her eyes shimmered with tears as she cupped my face in her hands, her voice barely above a whisper, “You’ll never lose me. I promise.”

As we held each other close, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of us holding onto each other.

Ryan, Ella, and I headed to the airport. Dope and Kip said they would catch up with us at my penthouse in Portland, Oregon, once they finished some things. Cami and the kids were already waiting for us there. I didn’t bother asking for details since Death and I were connecting occasionally.

Nearing the entryway to the penthouse, I slowed and turned to my wife. “It was hard to find the right time, but you’re going to find out.”

Ella took a step back, fear flickering through her gaze.

I reached up and placed my hands on her shoulders. “No. No. It’s okay. It’s not bad like that.”

“What is it?” she asked, her voice shaking.

“Baby, Cami knows about … him.”

She frowned at me and then said, “I’m confused. What are you talking about? Ryan?”

Before I could respond about Death, the front door opened, and Cami stared us.

“Hi,” she said, her voice cracking and her chin trembling. Big tears flowed down her face as she pulled Ella inside and flung her arms around her best friend. Ella’s body visibly tensed and trembled slightly with Cami’s sudden hug. I was about to step in and ask that Cami give her some room when my wife finally spoke.

“I’m home.”

Cami moved back and dabbed at her eyes. “Don’t you ever fucking die on me again.”

That was the Cami Ella needed, cracking jokes at the shitshow we’d all somehow managed to survive.

Cami stepped out of the way and avoided looking at me as she motioned for us to come inside.

The moment we walked into the penthouse, Ella’s shoulders visibly relaxed. It was hard seeing her afraid of every unknown sound, and I hated myself for putting her and the kids in jeopardy. At least we had more security here, and I was making sure they were safe instead of returning to New York. My wife was strong, but what she’d endured had the ability to break even the strongest people.

As I entered the living room, a rush of emotions hit me like a tidal wave—love, overwhelming gratitude, and an unbreakable determination. It was a moment I thought would never come, bringing my children’s mother back to them.

Ella looked up at me, tears glistening in her eyes as she said, “Thank you for bringing me home.” And with those simple words, she rose on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on my mouth that was both sweet and powerful, filled with all the love and hope we had fought so hard to hold on to.

“Ma-ma-ma!” Verity bounced up and down in her playpen Cami had set up in the living room.

“Verity!” Ella dropped her handbag on the floor and rushed to our daughter. She scooped her up in her arms and kissed her as tears fell down her cheeks.

“Ma-ma.” Verity placed her little palms against Ella’s cheeks then gave her an open mouth kiss on her nose.

Ella’s laugh filled the space as Cami waited patiently to see her friend.

Alaric clutched the edge of the playpen and hoisted himself up to a standing position. With a triumphant grin, he reached towards his mother, trying to grab her hand as she knelt in front of him.

“Hi, baby.” Ella gave Verity to me while she lifted Alaric up.

He clutched her neck, his small fingers digging into her skin as he pressed his cheek against her chest. Ella made her way to the couch, sinking down onto the cushions and letting out a deep sob, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Here, hon,” Cami said, bringing her a box of tissues.

Ella’s face lit up like a child on Christmas morning when she saw her best friend. She grabbed Cami’s hand and squeezed. “Thank you for being with the kids.”

“They kept me close to you. I wasn’t sure I would ever see you again, and …” Cami hiccupped through her tears. “So much happened while you were gone, but bitch, don’t you ever do that again.”

Ella laughed and sat Alaric on her leg so she could hug Cami.

I stood back in silence, letting the ladies have their moment together. But it was ripping my damn heart out that I couldn’t do anything to help Ella heal faster. Time was a motherfucker that was slow and unsteady. I wanted her to be whole again, not broken and terrified.

I bounced my daughter on my hip and looked into her beautiful brown eyes. She flashed me a grin, showcasing her new tooth that was peeking through her bottom gum.

“We’re happy to have mom home, huh, baby girl?” I smoothed her hair and kissed her soft little cheek.

A jittery tension buzzed in my chest as I watched Cami and Ella reunite after their time apart. I could see the unspoken questions burning in Cami’s eyes, her impulsive nature threatening to spill out in a torrent of emotions and words. I couldn’t bear the idea of her running to the authorities, forcing us to flee and hide. The weight of my responsibility to ensure my family’s safety pressed down on me like a leaden cloak, and I could feel my stomach lurched at the mere thought of constantly being on the run. But I would do whatever it took, even if it meant hiding and living in constant fear, to keep my loved ones together.

“Why don’t I take the kids for a bit and let you two catch up?” I asked.

Ella rubbed her palm along her jeaned thigh. “Thank you, that would be great. But please don’t leave the penthouse. Cami and I can talk in the guest room.”

Cami shot me a worried look with Ella’s plea, but once Cami learned what Ella had been through, it would make more sense. Maybe she would have some ideas of how to help my wife.

Ella placed Alaric in the playpen, then she and Cami disappeared down the hall, leaving me alone with the voice in my mind, who was growing louder and louder.

You need to let me out, asshole. I have shit to take care of.

“Tough shit. I’m spending time with Ella, then once we talk, you can make your entrance, but not until then,” I mumbled.

Alaric’s head snapped up and he said, “Def?”

An exasperated sigh escaped me. “No buddy, it’s Sebastian, your dad.”

I’m his dad, too, or did Ella not tell you about the DNA test? It’s how she tried to introduce you to me. All I wanted to do was fucking kill you for touching what’s mine.

“Anyone ever tell you what an asshole you are? She’s not a possession.”

He growled inside my head, and I winced. Apparently, that pissed him off. I strolled into the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the refrigerator. It might help me relax and turn off the noise in my brain.

I heard that.

“Good, now shut up.” I stared at the beer, then put it away again. I needed something stronger if I had any hope of being alone inside my thoughts in order to sort some things out.

You’re feeling sorry for yourself. Knock that shit off. It doesn’t solve anything.

“All I need is some quiet. Please.” Maybe asking him nicely would help, but I doubted a serial killer had manners.

I walked over to the bottle of scotch on the counter and poured myself a decent drink. Working in the bar and having access to alcohol on a regular basis had built up my tolerance, so slamming down a few drinks wouldn’t have the same effect on me as it would on someone like Ella. I just needed some peace to untangle this mess and figure out what to do next.

As the liquor hit my tongue and traveled to my stomach, the clutter in my mind began to settle down, but I knew Death was still around. Over the last week and a half, I could feel him getting stronger, and I wondered if he had the ability to push me out altogether. It messed with my heart to think he might be the one that was present with Ella and my babies. I massaged the back of my neck and walked to the kitchen entrance. I leaned against the door frame, watching the kids play and throw soft toys at each other. They had a special bond, and I wanted to do everything possible to protect them and their relationship.

My cell buzzed in my back pocket, and I snatched it up and glanced at the screen.

Ryan:

B or D?

I hated that the guys were starting to ask who they were texting, but I would do the same if I were in their shoes.

Me:

Bass. What’s up? Anything new on the investigation on who took Ella?

Ryan:

Working on it. Have some leads we’re looking into. How’s she doing?

Me:

She and Cami are talking.

I knew Ryan was going nuts about Cami breaking off the relationship with him and hoped that Ella might talk some sense into her. I wanted that for all of us. Otherwise, we’d constantly wonder if Cami would run to the cops and blow everything up.

Ryan:

Hope that goes well.

Me:

Me too. I’ll let you know. But message if one of those leads pans out.

I approached the couch and set my phone on the coffee table. I had a sneaking suspicion Ryan, Kip, and Dope had more than just a lead, but even Death had kept that from me. It was time to take some action myself. I had never been good about sitting on the sidelines waiting for shit to happen.