Page 10

Chapter 10

Elle

The next few days pass in a haze of restless anxiety. Christopher hovers, barely letting me out of his sight. I appreciate his attentiveness, but his nervous energy only feeds my own. We're both jumping at shadows, the stress of the murders and now my false labor fraying our nerves.

On the fourth day, I wake from a fitful nap to raised voices coming from the living room. I heave myself out of bed, one hand supporting my lower back as I waddle toward the commotion.

I find Christopher, Mason, and a few other club members huddled around the coffee table, poring over what looks like surveillance photos. They fall silent when they notice me, exchanging loaded glances.

"What's going on?" I demand, my voice still hoarse from sleep.

Christopher scrubs a hand over his face, looking torn. Mason clears his throat. "We've been tracking a couple of leads on the killer. Scouting out some locations he might be holed up in."

My heart leaps into my throat. "You found him? Do you know who he is?"

"Not yet," Christopher admits, and I know it’s really hard on him that he hasn’t found the person yet.

Meadow has been staying in our guest room since the false labor started, and I really love her for doing this. She is going to work but coming back here to stay during the nights, and Mason has decided to sleep over too.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you both to torture yourself.” I don’t want the worry to get to them because they’ve done everything humanly possible to catch this person.

A little while later, I hear Meadow pull up in the driveway, and she walks up carrying our mail from the front gate.

"Hi, how are you feeling?” she asks me, and I shut the door behind her before locking it.

She hands the packages and letters off to Christopher and he sets them on the island to go through.

We don’t have someone to bring the mail to each house as a safety protocol, not letting someone random freely going through the area.

“You have a package,” Christopher tells me, and I walk over to open it. I have ordered most of the baby’s stuff from online since it’s too dangerous for me to get out and about.

I’d rather be home and keep our baby safe than put myself in unnecessary danger.

As I open the box and remove the wrapping, it takes me a moment to comprehend what I am seeing. Suddenly, a shrill scream escapes my lips. Inside the box is a doll with its stomach ripped open, revealing a small baby inside. Across the chest of the baby doll are the words, You and this child belong to me. I'll see you soon, my love. If you don’t leave him, you will pay.

Christopher, Mason, and Meadow come running at the sound of my scream. "Elle, what's wrong?" Christopher asks urgently, his eyes wide with alarm.

But I can't speak. I'm frozen in horror, my hand clasped over my mouth as I stare at the gruesome contents of the box. Christopher follows my gaze and his face hardens, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he takes in the mutilated doll and the chilling message.

"Son of a bitch," he snarls, slamming his fist on the counter. Mason moves closer, peering into the box before recoiling with a string of curses.

Meadow is at my side in an instant, her arm wrapping around my shoulders. "Come sit down, Elle. You don't need to look at that." She guides me to the couch, helping me lower myself onto the cushions.

I'm shaking uncontrollably, icy fear coursing through my veins. This psychopath knows where we live. He's been close enough to leave this sick "gift" right on our doorstep. Nowhere feels safe anymore.

Christopher is on the phone, barking orders to the guards at the front office to review the security footage and sweep the property. Mason gingerly closes the flaps of the box, sealing away the horror as he meets Christopher's gaze. A silent communication passes between them, a grim understanding.

“He’s getting desperate, isn’t he?” Desperation isn’t a good thing.

Christopher ends the call and turns to me, his expression a mix of fury and fear. He kneels in front of me, taking my trembling hands in his. "I won't let him touch you, Elle. I swear on my life, I will keep you and our daughter safe."

I nod, wanting so badly to believe him. But the terror is suffocating, the threat too real. "He's not going to stop, is he?" I whisper brokenly. "Not until he has me, or…"

I can't finish the thought, bile rising in my throat. Christopher's grip tightens, his eyes blazing. "I will end him before he ever gets that chance.

“We have a great security system, no one could get in unless we want them to. Let's use it,” Christopher suggests, and Mason nods.

“I think it's best we all stay here with you until this person is caught, and we can ask Reid to stay too,” Meadow suggests.

So that is what Christopher does; he calls in Reid and the front gate is on full lockdown to ward off everyone and everything until this is all over. Only family members are allowed inside.

My guess for the reason he sent the package is because that’s the only way he could get to me.

Later that night, Christopher and I lie in bed together, watching a movie to have some alone time.

Christopher pulls me close, his strong arms enveloping me in a comforting embrace. I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat. It's a soothing rhythm.

"I hate that he's doing this to you," Christopher murmurs, his fingers stroking my hair.

My mind keeps replaying the image of that mutilated doll, the chilling message scrawled across its chest. I shudder, pressing closer to Christopher.

Is that what he wants to do to me? To cut my baby out of my stomach?

Christopher glances down at me, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you cold, baby? I can grab another blanket."

He kisses me softly, gently, and I sink into him. My hands are pressed against his chest, his heart beating faster.

“You know what scares me most of all?” I tell him, running my fingers down his forearm, the veins in his arm standing out.

He gives me a questioning look.

“I’m terrified of losing you, someone I care about. I’m not sure I could survive it.” I have heard of people dying of a broken heart.

His grip tightens around me, his eyes blazing with fierce protectiveness. "You won't lose me, Elle. I'm not going anywhere. We're in this together, no matter what. I will move heaven and earth to keep you safe." His face is serious when he adds, “And I don’t plan on anything happening to me, but I would die to protect you. I would lay down my life for you without a second of hesitation.”

Tears slip from my eyes and I practically crawl on top of him to get as close to him as possible.

Christopher

S he’s scared and it fucking kills me. I want to shelter her from all of this shit so she can be happy.

The fact that someone left her this package to scare her, to intimidate her, is more than I can fucking bear.

Her body is shaking as I hold her as tight as I dare, not wanting to hurt her.

I stroke her back, trying to soothe her trembling form. "Shh, it's okay. I've got you," I murmur, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "We're going to get through this, Elle. I promise you."

She lifts her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I'm trying to be strong, Christopher. But I'm so scared. For our baby, for you… I can't lose either of you."

My heart clenches at the raw vulnerability in her voice. I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away the tears that escape down her cheeks. "You won't, sweetheart. I will do everything in my power to make sure of that. This bastard isn't going to lay a finger on our family."

Elle nods, leaning into my touch. I can see the weariness in her eyes, the toll this constant state of fear is taking on her. I wish more than anything I could erase all of this, to go back to a time when our biggest worry was what color to paint the nursery.

But this is our reality now. And I'll be damned if I let this psychopath shatter the life we're building together.

I tuck Elle securely against my side, my hand splayed protectively over her rounded belly. "Try to get some rest, baby. I'll be right here, keeping watch. You're safe with me."

She burrows closer, her body molding to mine as she nestles her head in the crook of my neck. I feel her gradually relax, her breathing evening out as exhaustion pulls her under.

I lay awake, staring at the shadows dancing across the ceiling. My mind races with possibilities, trying to anticipate the killer's next move.

Morning comes, and I slip out of bed, careful not to disturb Elle's much-needed rest. I find Mason and Reid already in the kitchen, nursing cups of coffee and poring over the latest intel.

“How’s she doing?” Meadow asks from behind, almost making me jump out of my skin.

The guys laugh at me. “She’s sleeping still, but I’m worried about her. This stress is getting to her.”

Meadow sighs. “I can’t fathom how she’s feeling. She is so strong to be able to even carry on the way she is.”

“Did anyone find anything on the cameras?” I ask the guys.

Mason shakes his head. “No, it was just a normal USPS driver that delivered all of the mail, but this parcel had no return label.”

I sigh, hating this. I wish we’d catch a fucking break. “We need to make sure this doesn’t touch her anymore.”

There is a sound coming from the stairs and I walk over to meet Elle at the bottom. She is wearing a pair of sweatpants and a plaid shirt of mine.

“Good morning, angel, how are you feeling?” I ask her, running my hands down her arms, to her stomach, smiling when I feel Miracle moving around in there.

"I feel good, actually, though I’m really hungry.”

She laughs, and I lead her to the table. “I will make you something.”

“I actually already have breakfast ready,” Mason tells us, so I go to fix her a plate.

Everyone is hovering over her. We’re all worried about her, but she has a smile on her face and it reaches her eyes.

As I watch Elle eat her breakfast with gusto, a glimmer of hope flickers in my chest. Despite the horrors of the previous day, she's still here, still fighting. Her resilience never ceases to amaze me.

"This is delicious, Mason," Elle says between bites, flashing him a grateful smile. "Thank you."

Mason returns her smile, clearly pleased. "Anything for you, Elle. We've got to keep you and the little one well-fed."

I sit down next to her, trying to fight the urge to feed her myself. I know I’m a hovering bastard right now, but I feel like it’s the only thing I can control at the moment.

The fire in my stomach to keep her safe is burning me up inside, the rage to torture this fucker overwhelming.

I look to my brothers and they have the same look on their faces.

This fucker will get his day.

I can’t wait.