47. Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Seven
T he SUV's tires crunched over gravel as Lucas turned off the main road, headlights sweeping over a narrow, almost-forgotten street. My hands were clamped so tightly onto the door handle that my knuckles had gone bloodless. Every bump, every sway of the car made my heart leap into my throat. I couldn't stop scanning the darkness outside, searching for movement, for danger, for something I wouldn’t be able to fight off.
Lucas slowed as we passed a short row of small brick townhouses, tucked side-by-side like soldiers huddled against the night. They were neat but modest—nothing flashy, nothing that would attract attention. He pulled into a narrow driveway in front of one of the middle units, killing the engine with a low growl. The sudden silence inside the SUV was deafening.
I stared up at the house, breathing hard. It looked... ordinary. A porch light glowed faintly above the door, illuminating a tidy stoop with two small potted plants and a worn doormat.
It didn’t look like a fortress. Theo unbuckled first, turning in his seat to face me. His expression was tight, but his voice was steady when he spoke.
"This is my home…," he said simply, reaching out to brush his fingers lightly over the back of my hand. "One of them, anyway. A safe house we keep for emergencies. It’s fully stocked, secured, and off-grid. No one knows about it but us."
I nodded stiffly, not trusting my voice. I was still trembling, my body buzzing with leftover adrenaline that had nowhere to go.
“What about Dakota and Gabriel?” I asked, the two had stayed behind.
Lucas's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "They're securing the scene and questioning the intruders. Gabriel will join us later, once he's certain the threat is contained."
"And Dakota?" I asked, my voice sounding small even to my own ears.
"Staying behind to coordinate with local law enforcement," Theo explained, his analytical mind clearly processing details even in crisis. "We have protocols for situations like this."
I nodded, trying to process everything that had happened in the last thirty minutes. One moment I'd been asleep in Theo's arms, feeling safe and protected, and the next...
"Come on," Lucas said, his usual playfulness replaced by a quiet intensity I rarely saw from him. "Let's get inside. You're shivering."
I hadn't even noticed until he mentioned it, but my body was trembling uncontrollably. Theo helped me from the car, his arm firm around my waist as we made our way to the front door. Lucas took point, scanning the surroundings with alert eyes before unlocking the door with a key from his pocket.
The interior was surprisingly warm, with soft lighting that activated automatically as we entered. It was smaller than Gabriel's mansion but meticulously organized—everything in its place, nothing extraneous or unnecessary. It felt distinctly like Theo's space—practical, efficient, yet unexpectedly comfortable.
"Security system engaged," Theo announced after tapping a code into a panel by the door. "Perimeter sensors active. We're secure."
I stood in the entryway, arms wrapped around myself, suddenly aware of how disheveled I must look—hastily thrown on clothes, no shoes, hair wild from sleep and panic. The events of the night crashed over me in waves: the alarm, the gunshots, the frantic escape. Lucas noticed my distress immediately, moving toward me with a gentleness that contrasted with the fierce protectiveness I'd witnessed earlier.
"Hey," he said softly, reaching out to steady me. "You're safe now. I promise."
My legs suddenly felt like they couldn't support me anymore. Lucas caught me before I could fall, guiding me to a nearby sofa where I sank down, my whole body trembling harder.
"She's experiencing an adrenaline crash," Theo observed, his analytical mind still functioning despite the chaos we'd just escaped. He disappeared briefly into another room, returning with a soft blanket that he wrapped around my shoulders. "The physiological response is entirely normal after what we've just experienced."
Lucas sat beside me, his usual playful demeanor replaced by quiet concern. "Deep breaths, flower girl," he murmured, his hand rubbing gentle circles on my back.
“Scenting her may help calm her.” Theo told Lucas, moving to sit on my other side. "Alpha pheromones can trigger a parasympathetic response, counteracting the stress hormones currently flooding her system."
I looked between them, still shaking. "I can't believe they found us," I whispered, my voice cracking. "How did they get through all that security?"
"Professional job," Lucas said, his voice hardening. "Whoever's behind this has resources." He leaned closer, his warmth seeping through the blanket as he gently pulled me against his side. The familiar scent of him—pine and citrus—wrapped around me, providing an anchor in the storm of my thoughts.
Theo's hand found mine, his thumb tracing small, precise circles against my palm. "The statistical probability of a random attack is negligible," he said, his analytical tone somehow comforting in its certainty.
"Which means they had specific intelligence on our location and security systems." His eyes met mine, serious behind his glasses. "They knew exactly where to find you."
A chill ran through me despite the blanket and Lucas's warmth. "So they were watching us? All this time?"
"It's possible," Theo acknowledged, his voice measured. "Though more likely they've infiltrated our information networks somehow."
Lucas's arm tightened around me. "Which means we have a leak. Someone who knew about the safe house, the security protocols."
"Gabriel will handle that angle," Theo said with quiet confidence. "For now, our priority is ensuring your safety and recovery."
I leaned into Lucas's warmth, drawing comfort from his steady presence. "I feel so useless," I admitted, my voice small. "You're all risking your lives for me, and I can't even—"
“Calm.” Lucas muttered, pushing out some of his scent and trying to get me to calm down. I relaxed a little bit, his scent letting me come out of my panicked haze.
“Thank you.” I mutter, but it didn’t stop the worry I still had about the situation.
"Your safety is our priority," Theo said, his analytical voice softening as he noticed my continued distress. "Gabriel and Dakota will identify how the security was compromised."
I nodded, trying to focus on their reassurances rather than the terrifying images still flashing through my mind—the intruder lunging from the shadows, the sound of gunshots, Gabriel's face streaked with blood. My hands wouldn't stop trembling, and I clasped them tightly in my lap, trying to regain some semblance of control.
"You need to rest," Lucas said, his voice gentler than I'd ever heard it. "You're exhausted, and your body's still processing the shock."
"I don't think I can sleep," I admitted, the thought of closing my eyes making anxiety spike through me again. "Every time I try to relax, I just see them breaking in, and the gunshots, and—" My voice cracked as fresh panic welled up. "What if they'd hurt one of you? What if—"
"But they didn't," Lucas interrupted gently, his hand finding mine. "We're trained for this, flower girl. All of us."
Theo shifted closer, his analytical mind clearly working through the best approach to help me. "Your anxiety is manifesting as catastrophic thinking—focusing on worst-case scenarios that didn't actually occur. It's a common trauma response."
I gave a weak laugh that sounded more like a sob. "Is that your clinical way of telling me to stop worrying?"
"No," Theo replied, his voice softening. "It's my way of helping you understand that your reactions are normal. Valid." His hand squeezed mine gently. "But not helpful to your recovery right now."
Lucas nodded, his usual playfulness replaced by gentle concern. "He's right. You're safe now, and that's what matters." His arm tightened around my shoulders. "Let me and Theo take care of you tonight, okay? You don't have to be strong right now."
Something about his words—the permission to not be okay—broke the last of my resistance. Tears welled up and spilled over before I could stop them, my body shaking with silent sobs. Lucas pulled me closer, his chest warm against my cheek as he murmured soft, soothing words into my hair. Theo's hand remained steady in mine, his thumb continuing those precise, gentle circles against my palm.
"That's it," Lucas whispered, his voice a comforting rumble against my ear. "Let it out."
I cried until I felt hollow, emptied of the fear and tension that had been building since the alarm first sounded. Lucas held me through it all, his steady warmth an anchor as Theo's analytical presence remained a calm counterpoint to my storm of emotions. When the tears finally subsided, leaving me exhausted and drained, I sat up slightly, wiping my face with trembling hands.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, embarrassed by my breakdown.
"Don't apologize," Lucas said firmly, brushing a strand of hair from my damp cheek. "You've been through hell tonight. Anyone would react the same way."
Theo nodded in agreement. "The physiological and emotional response to trauma is universal. Your reaction is entirely appropriate given the circumstances."
I managed a watery smile at his clinical assessment. "Thank you. Both of you." My voice sounded raw, even to my own ears. "For getting me out. For... everything."
Lucas pressed a gentle kiss to my temple. "You never have to thank us for protecting you," he murmured against my skin. "Never."
"Would you like to clean up?" Theo asked, his analytical mind shifting to practical concerns now that my emotional storm had passed. "A shower might help regulate your nervous system. Warm water activates parasympathetic responses."
I nodded, suddenly aware of how grimy I felt—sweat-dried and tear-stained. "That sounds good."
"I'll show you," Lucas said, helping me to my feet. My legs felt steadier now, though exhaustion weighed heavy on my limbs. He guided me through the modest house to a bathroom that, like everything else in Theo's space, was meticulously organized. Fluffy towels, toiletries arranged by function and frequency of use.
"There are clothes in the bedroom across the hall," Lucas explained, opening a drawer to show me neatly folded t-shirts and sweatpants. "They might be big on you, but they're clean and comfortable."
I nodded gratefully, suddenly too exhausted for words. Lucas hesitated, studying my face with unusual seriousness.
"Will you be okay alone?" he asked gently. "I can stay if you need me to."
I shook my head, summoning a weak smile. "I'll be fine. I think I need a few minutes to myself."
Lucas nodded, understanding in his eyes. "We'll be right outside if you need anything. Take your time." With a final squeeze of my hand, he left, closing the door softly behind him. Alone for the first time since the attack, I leaned heavily against the counter letting everything that happened soak in…and hope that the night was less eventful from here on out.