19. Chapter Nineteen Adriana
Chapter Nineteen: Adriana
I nudged open the living room door, the soft click of the latch barely registering as my eyes fell on a chaotic scene. There it was—Amber's lasagna, splattered across the polished hardwood floor like a crime scene without a body.
Weird.
Guess that was what had made the noise.
It was supposed to be tucked away in the fridge, a simple favor from her to ease my postpartum days.
"Everything alright, Amber?" I called out, my voice steady despite the alarm bells clanging in my head.
Amber's form straightened up like a blade snapping to attention. "Just lost my balance for a moment." Her words were casual, but her eyes calculated the distance between us with an intensity that sent a chill through me.
I barely registered Carmen and Kieran blurring into action, their bodies moving with a swiftness that spoke of their own ingrained training. They were at Amber's side in an instant, courteous, polite. Ready to clean up the mess she’d made.
"Careful there," Kieran murmured, his voice low and even. But it wasn't concern that shadowed his features—it was something sharper, more attuned to the undercurrents of tension that always simmered beneath the surface in our world.
Carmen threw me a look over her shoulder, a silent communication that we had perfected over the years. Her vibrant red hair seemed to catch fire in the dim light of the living room, a beacon of warning.
"Let's get this cleaned up," Carmen said, her tone light but her eyes telling a different story. One that spelled trouble.
"Thanks," I replied, forcing my feet to stay rooted to the spot as every instinct screamed at me to move, to create distance. To protect.
But then, something happened that stole the breath from my lungs. With a swift, unexpected motion, Amber shrugged off Carmen and Kieran's helping hands and spun around. There was a flash of silver in her grasp - a blade. A guttural cry echoed in the room as Carmen was thrown to one side, clutching her arm. Kieran, taken by surprise, stumbled back.
Kieran quickly caught himself, though. “Carmen, run,” he said, his voice sharp with urgency. But Carmen was already moving, her injured arm cradled against her chest.
I didn't wait to see what happened next. My body moved on instinct, fueled by adrenaline and maternal fear. I spun on my heel and ran, my heart pounding in my ears. The nursery. I had to get to the babies.
The hallway stretched before me, seeming impossibly long. I could hear the sound of a scuffle behind me, punctuated by grunts and the crash of something heavy hitting the floor. But I didn't look back. Couldn't look back.
I burst into the nursery, slamming the door shut behind me. My hands fumbled with the lock, desperation making my fingers clumsy. The click of the lock sliding into place was barely audible over the sound of my ragged breathing.
For a moment, I stood there, my forehead pressed against the cool wood of the door. The twins were mercifully quiet in their cribs, unaware of the danger that lurked just outside.
"It's okay," I whispered, more to myself than to them. "Mommy's here. You're safe."
I turned around, my eyes scanning the nursery. The soft glow of the night light cast shadows across the room, making the familiar space seem suddenly alien. My gaze landed on the cribs, where my babies lay peacefully sleeping.
My heart clenched. How could this be happening? How had our safe haven turned into a battlefield?
A muffled thud from beyond the door made me flinch. I had to think fast. Had to protect my children.
This was too exposed. Their cribs were right below the windows, and I knew we weren't safe here. Not with Amber out there, armed and dangerous. My mind raced, searching for options.
Fuck.
Her husband.
Tristan had been right. I should’ve never trusted them.
I didn’t have time to beat myself up, considering I had to take care of Catherine and Matteo, and two potential killers were out there. I was just glad Kieran was here, too.
With shaking hands, I lifted my babies from their cribs, one at a time. They stirred but didn't wake as I cradled them close to my chest. Their tiny bodies were warm against mine, their breath soft on my skin. I pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads, inhaling their sweet baby scent.
"Shh," I whispered. "We're going on a little adventure."
I eased open the closet door, wincing at the slight creak of the hinges. The space inside was cramped, filled with tiny clothes and stuffed animals. I cleared a spot on the floor, laying down a soft blanket before gently placing the twins side by side.
Another crash from outside made me jump. It sounded closer this time. My heart hammered in my chest as I squeezed myself into the closet, pulling the door closed behind me. In the darkness, I fumbled for my phone, cursing silently when I realized I'd left it in the kitchen.
Fuck.
I huddled in the darkness of the closet, my body curled protectively around my sleeping twins. Every muscle in my body was taut, straining to hear what was happening beyond the nursery door. The muffled sounds of struggle had faded, replaced by an eerie silence that was somehow worse.
My mind raced, trying to piece together what had just happened. Amber, our seemingly friendly neighbor, had turned on us in an instant. The image of the knife in her hand flashed before my eyes, making my stomach churn. Carmen, my sister, my protector, had been hurt. And Kieran...God, I hoped he was okay.
But Tristan was still in a wheelchair. And Tristan was the one person I knew our past would eventually come for no matter what.
A soft whimper from Catherine pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. I gently shushed her, my hand rubbing soothing circles on her tiny back. "It's okay, baby girl," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Mommy's got you."
I held my breath as footsteps approached the nursery door. My arms tightened instinctively around Catherine and Matteo. The doorknob rattled, followed by a frustrated grunt from the other side.
"Adriana," Amber's sickeningly sweet voice called out. "Come on out, darling. No need to make this difficult."
My heart pounded so loudly I was sure she could hear it through the door. I pressed myself further back into the closet, willing the babies to stay quiet.
A loud thud shook the door. Then another. She was trying to break it down.
The twins woke, startled. They started to wail.
I clamped my hand over their mouths, trying to muffle their cries. Tears stung my eyes as I whispered desperate apologies. The pounding at the door intensified.
"I hear those little ones," Amber called out, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Why don't you come out and we can talk about this?"
My mind raced. There was no way out of this closet except through the nursery. And Amber was between us and any hope of escape.
The door splintered with a sickening crack. I heard Amber's footsteps enter the room, slow and deliberate.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are," she sing-songed.
I closed my eyes, pressing my lips to my babies' foreheads. If this was it, I wanted their last moments to be filled with love, not fear. I would run at her, I would fucking kill her, even if it cost me my life. No one was going to touch my babies.
Suddenly, a new voice cut through the tension.
"Step away from the closet, Amber."
Kieran. My heart leapt with hope.
I held my breath, straining to hear what was happening beyond the closet door. The twins squirmed against me, sensing my tension.
"Well, well," Amber's voice dripped with disdain. "If it isn't the knight in shining armor. Come to save the damsel in distress, Kieran?"
"Put the knife down," Kieran growled. "This ends now."
A harsh laugh cut through the air. "Oh, it's ending alright. But not how you think."
The sound of a scuffle erupted, punctuated by grunts and the crash of furniture. I cradled the babies closer, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest.
The door of the closet was opened by Amber. It was all a blur; first, she was in front of me, and then Kieran, who’d been on the floor only a second ago, was pulling her back by the hair, Amber's eyes flashed with rage as Kieran yanked her away from the closet. She lashed out, her knife slicing through the air. I gasped, clutching the twins tighter to my chest.
Kieran dodged the blade, his movements fluid and practiced. In one swift motion, he grabbed Amber's wrist, twisting it until she cried out in pain. The knife clattered to the floor.
But Amber wasn't done. She threw her head back, connecting with Kieran's face. He stumbled, loosening his grip just enough for her to break free.
She lunged for the knife, but Kieran was faster. He tackled her to the ground, pinning her arms behind her back.
"Adriana, run!" he shouted, struggling to keep Amber subdued. “Get them and get out!”
I didn't hesitate. Clutching Catherine and Matteo to my chest, I bolted from the closet. My legs felt like jelly as I stumbled into the hallway.
“Carm! Tristan!” I called out, my voice cracking with fear.
I stumbled down the hallway, my heart pounding in my ears. The twins whimpered against my chest as I clutched them tightly.
"Carmen! Tristan!" I called out again, desperation creeping into my voice.
Suddenly, Carmen appeared at the end of the hall, her arm wrapped in a makeshift bandage. "Adriana! Thank God," she breathed, rushing towards me.
"We need to go, now," I gasped, my eyes darting back towards the nursery where I could still hear the sounds of Kieran and Amber's struggle. “Where’s Tristan?”
“Here,” Tristan said. He was in his wheelchair, at the end of the hallway, David’s body draped over his leg. “I assume you were dealing with a similar problem.”
“Shh,” I said to Matteo, who had started to fuss. "It's okay, baby," I murmured, trying to keep my voice calm despite the panic coursing through me.
“Give her to me,” Carmen said, extending her arms. “I’ll keep her safe until we get out of here.”
“Where’s Kieran?” Tristan asked.
I hesitated for a moment, my eyes locked with Tristan's. The love and determination I saw there gave me strength. I nodded, swallowing hard.
"I love you too," I whispered.
Then I turned and ran.