Page 104 of Double Daddies (Dirty Daddies Anthologies #8)

Chapter Sixteen

Wren

At that moment, time seems to freeze. The world around me fades away as I focus on the two men facing off. My heart pounds in my chest, and I feel a mix of fear and admiration for Ezra. He’s willing to risk everything for me, but it terrifies me.

Then, in a swift motion, Ezra pulls the trigger. The shot rings out, echoing through the warehouse, and I flinch at the sound. Richard’s expression shifts from anger to shock as he stumbles back, clutching his shoulder, blood seeping through his fingers.

“No! Ezra!” I scream, my heart racing. I can’t believe what just happened. The reality of the situation crashes over me. He shot him. He shot Richard to protect me.

Thoughts whirl in my mind— what if this only escalated things? I feel a wave of nausea wash over me as I watch Richard fall to the ground, fury and pain etched on his face.

“Wren, stay close!” Elijah urges, pulling me back as he keeps his gun trained on Richard, who is now on the floor, cursing and writhing in agony.

I can’t take my eyes off Ezra. He stands there, breathing heavily, the weight of his actions settling on him. I want to run to him, to tell him that I’m okay, that I’m safe, but I’m terrified of what might happen next.

“Wren, we need to go, now!” Elijah insists, and I finally tear my gaze away from Ezra, realizing that we’re not out of danger yet. My legs refuse to move, paralyzed by fear and adrenaline, and suddenly, they give out beneath me.

Before I hit the ground, Elijah is there, his strong arms wrapping around me and pulling me into his embrace. “I’ve got you,” he reassures me, his voice steady despite the chaos around us. I can feel his heart pounding against mine, and it gives me a strange sense of comfort amidst the turmoil.

“Ezra…” I whisper, panic rising in my throat. I can’t bear the thought of leaving him behind, of what might happen if we don’t get out of here fast.

“He’s right behind us,” Elijah says, his grip tightening as he begins to move, carrying me away from the scene. “We need to get to safety first.”

As he carries me, I glance back just in time to see Ezra standing tall, gun still raised, his expression a mix of determination and something else— fear, maybe? I can see he’s ready to protect us at all costs, and it fills me with both admiration and dread.

“Please, Ezra,” I whisper, my heart aching for him. “Be careful.”

We reach the exit, and I can hear the distant wail of sirens growing louder, but it feels like an eternity. I want to scream for him to hurry, to get out before Richard can retaliate. The thought of him facing Richard alone sends a wave of nausea through me.

“Hold on tight, little bird,” Elijah says, and I wrap my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder. I can feel the warmth of his body, the strength in his hold, and it gives me the courage I need to push through the fear.

As we burst through the door, the light hits me like a flood, and I squint against it, trying to catch a glimpse of what’s happening behind us. I can see Richard on the ground, struggling, and I feel a surge of mixed emotions.

Ezra steps back, keeping his gun trained on Richard, who is still seething with anger. “You’ll pay for this!” he shouts, but the sound is drowned out by the sirens approaching.

“Let’s go!” Elijah urges, and I realize we’re almost to safety. But I can’t shake the image of Ezra standing there, the weight of his decision hanging over him.

“Ezra!” I call out, my voice cracking. “Please, come on!”

He glances back at me, and for a brief moment, our eyes lock. In that instant, I can see the resolve in his gaze. He’s not just fighting for me; he’s fighting for all of us.

Then, in a swift motion, he pulls the trigger again, and the sound reverberates through the air like a thunderclap. My heart drops as I watch Richard go down for good, his body collapsing to the ground.

“Wren!” Elijah pulls me forward, and I can feel the adrenaline surging through me. I know we have to keep moving, but my mind is racing. Did he really just shoot him? Is it all over?

I can’t help but feel a mix of relief and horror as we rush toward the safety of the waiting police cars. I want to scream, to cry, to tell Ezra how much I appreciate what he just did for me. But all I can do is hold on tight to Elijah as tears stream down my swollen and painful cheeks.

My heart races, but the sight of the paramedics rushing toward us brings a mix of relief and anxiety. They’re here to help, but the thought of leaving Elijah’s arms is unbearable.

“Miss?” one of the paramedics calls, approaching us with urgency. “We need to take a look at you. Can you walk?”

I shake my head, burying my face deeper into Elijah’s shoulder. “No, I don’t want to leave him,” I murmur, my voice muffled. The warmth and safety of his embrace are all I want right now. I can’t bear the thought of being separated from him after everything that’s happened.

“Wren, you need to let them check you out,” Elijah says softly, his voice reassuring. “Daddy will be right here, I promise.”

But the fear of losing that connection, of being taken away from him, sends a wave of panic through me. I glance up at him, searching his eyes for reassurance. “What if they take me away? What if I can’t come back?”

“They won’t take you far,” he insists, his grip tightening around me. “I’ll be right here the whole time. You need to make sure you’re okay, and I can’t let you go until you do.”

The paramedics exchange glances, clearly understanding the bond between us. One of them kneels down, looking me in the eyes. “Wren, we just want to make sure you’re safe. It’s important. You’re going to be okay, but we need to check you out.”

I nod hesitantly, still feeling the weight of Elijah’s arms around me. “Okay,” I whisper, my heart pounding.

“Just a few minutes, I promise,” Elijah reassures me, his voice steady. “Then we can get out of here together.”

With a deep breath, I reluctantly let the paramedics assist me, but I keep my eyes locked on Elijah. He doesn’t let go, and I feel a surge of gratitude for his presence.

As the paramedics finish their assessment, I can feel their eyes scanning my body, taking in the wounds on my face and the bruises on my wrists and ankles.

The memories of the pain flood back—Richard's fists striking me, the tight ropes binding me to the chair, each bruise a reminder of my captivity.

“Wren, can you tell us what happened?” one of the paramedics asks gently, but I can’t bring myself to speak. I glance at Elijah, who stands protectively beside me, his expression a mix of concern and anger.

“Just take care of her,” he says, his voice firm but laced with worry. “She’s been through hell.”

I can see the paramedics nodding, their expressions softening as they focus on me. “We’re going to clean those wounds and make sure you’re alright,” the female paramedic reassures me, her tone calming. “You’re safe now.”

I nod, but the fear still lingers. I don’t want to be touched, to be examined. The thought of someone else seeing the marks left on my skin feels vulnerable, exposing me in ways I’m not ready for.

“Wren,” Elijah says softly, leaning closer. “You’re safe. You can trust them.” His eyes are warm, and I can feel the strength of his presence grounding me.

Taking a deep breath, I finally allow myself to meet the paramedic’s gaze. “Okay,” I whisper, my voice shaky. They begin to clean the cuts on my face, and I wince at the sting of the antiseptic.

“Sorry about that,” the paramedic says gently. “You’ve got some bruising, but it looks like nothing is broken. Just some soft tissue damage. We’ll wrap these up and get you feeling better.”

I can’t help but glance at Elijah, who watches intently, his jaw clenched. I know he’s replaying the scene in his mind, wishing he could have been there sooner, wishing he could have prevented the hurt I endured.

“Little bird,” he says, his voice low, “you’re so strong. I’m proud of you for getting through this.” His words resonate within me, a flicker of strength igniting in the depths of my fear. “I couldn’t bear it if something worse happened to you.”

As the paramedics finish wrapping my injuries, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. The physical pain is still there, but knowing I’m no longer in Richard’s grasp makes it bearable. I look into Elijah’s eyes, and in that moment, I know I’m not alone.

“Let’s get you out of here,” he says, his voice steady and reassuring. I nod, feeling the weight of the past begin to lift, if only a little. “Ezra should be done with questioning by now.”

The mention of Ezra brings a sense of relief mixed with concern. I can’t help but wonder how he’s holding up after everything that happened. “Do you think he’s okay?” I ask, glancing around at the chaos still unfolding as police officers and paramedics work to secure the area.

Elijah nods, his expression serious but confident. “He’s tough. He’ll be fine. He’s just doing what he needs to do to make sure Richard is brought to justice.” There’s a fire in his eyes as he speaks, a determination that makes me feel a little stronger.

As we start to walk toward the ambulance, I can hear the distant sound of Ezra’s voice, raised but firm, as he talks to one of the officers. My heart swells at the thought of him fighting for us, for our safety.

“I just want to see him,” I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. The thought of being reunited with him fills me with a sense of hope.

“We will,” Elijah assures me, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Just a few more minutes, and then we can all be together. You need to rest and heal.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The bruises on my wrists and ankles throb, but it’s nothing compared to the relief of knowing I’m no longer in danger. “Okay,” I reply, trying to focus on the moment rather than the pain.

As we approach the other ambulance, I can see Ezra stepping away from the officer, his face a mixture of worry and relief as he spots us. The moment our eyes meet, I feel a rush of emotions—the fear, the pain, but most importantly, the gratitude that we’re all still here.

“Wren, baby!” he calls out, rushing toward us. I can see the concern etched on his face as he takes in my injuries. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just a few bumps and bruises,” I say, forcing a smile despite the pain. “Thanks to you, Daddy. Both of you.”

Elijah’s expression softens, and I can see the relief washing over him. “You’re stronger than you know, Wren. We’re just glad you’re safe,” he replies, his voice filled with warmth.

Ezra steps closer, his eyes scanning my face with concern. “You really scared us back there. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you,” he admits, his voice trembling slightly. The sincerity in his words makes my heart swell.

“I’m so grateful you both came for me,” I say, my voice breaking slightly. “I don’t think I could have gotten through this without you. You both fought for me.”

Elijah shakes his head, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “We would do it all over again in a heartbeat. You mean too much to us.”

“So the bet–” I begin, my voice trailing off as I remember the initial shock of learning about it.

“It was a stupid thing,” Elijah interrupts, his expression turning serious. “We made a bet with some friends that we could win you over. But before we even pursued you, we both knew our feelings for you were genuine.”

I look at him, feeling a mix of disbelief and hope. “But I thought you were just trying to win a game. I thought I was just a prize.”

Ezra steps forward, his eyes earnest. “Wren, it started as a bet, but it quickly became so much more. We were drawn to you in a way we never expected. You captivated us with your spirit, your strength.”

Elijah nods, his gaze unwavering. “When we found out you were in trouble, it wasn’t just about saving you. It was about protecting what’s ours. We couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”

I feel a flicker of warmth in my chest at their words. “So you really do care about me?”

“More than you know,” Elijah assures me, his expression softening. “We fought for you because we love you, Wren. You’re worth so much more than a bet.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I absorb their sincerity. “I was so scared, thinking I was just a game to you both.”

Ezra reaches out, gently squeezing my hand. “You’re not a game. You’re everything to us. We’ve always known that, and we’re here now to prove it.”

With their reassurance, I feel a flicker of hope igniting within me. The past may have left scars, but with Elijah and Ezra by my side, I know I can move forward.

“Thank you for saving me,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

“Always, uccellina ,” Elijah replies, his voice steady. “Always.”

I can’t help but smile at the endearment. “I like when you call me that.”

Ezra steps closer, his fingers grazing my cheek gently as he brushes some hair from my face. “You’re our little bird,” he says softly, his touch sending a warm shiver down my spine.

The tenderness in his gesture makes my heart swell. “I didn’t think you guys really cared about me like that,” I admit, feeling a mix of vulnerability and relief.

Elijah leans in, his eyes locking onto mine. “We do care, Wren. More than you can imagine. You’re not just a bet or a challenge; you’re part of us now.”

Ezra nods, his expression earnest. “We fought for you because we love you. You’re our everything.”

My breath catches as their words sink in. “You love me?” I whisper.

“More than you could know.”

“I love you both. I didn’t think it was possible for me to trust again, but you both made that possible.”

“Together, we’ll face anything,” Elijah promises, his voice filled with conviction.

“Always together,” Ezra adds, his gaze unwavering.

In that moment, I know that I’m not alone anymore. With Elijah and Ezra by my side, I feel a sense of hope and strength. The darkness of the past may linger, but together, we can overcome anything.