20. Chapter Twenty
Chapter twenty
Hummingbird
It didn’t surprise me that Tech hadn’t gotten back to me last night. Family dinners were big affairs, and right after a wedding? It was likely a late night for everyone involved. When I hadn’t heard from him by almost eight the next morning, I became concerned and sent him a message.
Hummingbird:
I sent the message to both Lynette and Tech, but when hours had passed without any reply from either of them, a pit formed in my stomach. It wasn’t that it was uncommon to have a delayed response, but it wasn’t like both of them not to respond.
Time to contact the next person on the list.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
I smiled at the immediate response, but let out a tense breath as I looked at the unanswered messages I’d sent to Lynette and Tech.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
My breath hitched in my chest.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
He’s trying so hard to walk around what is going on.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
I let out a sigh and tipped my head back, staring at the ceiling.
Now what happened?
Shield:
Shield:
My eyes misted over as I read over his messages. If I was reading it correctly, he was ready and willing to do whatever to put me at ease, since Tech and Lynette were otherwise occupied.
He wants me to know I’m not alone.
Hummingbird:
A few minutes later, Edith popped into the app.
Momma E:
Hummingbird:
Momma E:
Momma E:
I stared at the phone, waiting for details to come in, but I knew they wouldn’t. This was all I was going to get for the moment.
Hummingbird:
Momma E:
I let out a deep breath, desperate for answers but also terrified of anyone else getting hurt.
Hummingbird:
Momma E:
Hummingbird:
I moved back to my security room and stared at the monitors. Not liking one of the camera angles, I shifted it down and to the left.
My phone almost immediately lit up.
Shield:
I smirked. A warm, comforting feeling settled in my chest when I realized it meant he truly was watching the property.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
I chuckled at his response. It was exactly something Derek would have said and done.
Hummingbird:
Shield:
Despite my heightened anxiety about what was going on in Chicago, I felt a touch calmer knowing he was ‘right there’ with me. I felt less alone… and I liked it. Maybe Derek was right when he told me I could let someone else in again.
I’ll never give my heart up again, though.
Third time was not going to be the charm.
Later on that day, my phone buzzed.
Momma A:
Hummingbird:
Hummingbird:
Hummingbird:
Momma A:
Momma A:
I let out a relieved breath, but something felt off.
Hummingbird:
Momma A:
Momma A:
Hummingbird:
Momma A: