Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
JASMINE
“Are you sure you’re okay there on your own?” Verity asks as I check the temperature of my bath water.
“Ver, I’m never alone. Security is on site twenty-four seven now. No one is getting into this house without them knowing.” I wish I could have some time alone, but the guys have forbidden me from being left unprotected until we know for sure the threat against Christian has been eradicated. Since they killed Mitchell, there haven’t been any more buildings damaged, and things have quietened down. But it’s too early to know if that is the end of that whole shitstorm.
“I guess so. I just worry about you.”
“I know and appreciate it, but honestly, I’m fine. Abbi has already offered to come round and stay, and I told her no.” I had been on the phone with her when Sean had a message from Maximus to go meet him at the gym. Sean wasn’t too happy about it, but Christian and Jason were also picking up the wedding suits. They aren’t meant to be getting them until tomorrow, but the shop owner called to say they had a family emergency and asked if they could pick them up tonight to be on the safe side.
Jason was heading to a club to pick up some paperwork; they decided to go together, with the club only being a few streets away from the tailor.
“Have you managed to get any more out of her about her new boyfriend?” Verity asks as I shut off the taps. The bath filled to the level I like it.
“Only his name is Eddie, and he pulled out of a date they were meant to be going on tonight at the last minute.” Shrugging off my robe, I hang it on the back of my bathroom door, which I leave open so I can hear the music playing lightly in my bedroom.
“I think we should try to get more out of her tomorrow when we collect the dresses.”
“Oh, I plan on it,” I laugh, heading for the bath. “Now, leave me alone. I have a deep bubble bath with my name on it and a book about a billionaire mafia boss to read.”
Verity starts laughing as I light a couple of candles and place my Kindle by the bath on a stall with a towel and a glass of wine.
“I can’t believe you still read those. You have four of your own billionaire mafia bosses.”
“They aren’t billionaires; at least, I don’t think they are,” I laugh as I climb into the water.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it. Bear is dropping me off at yours in the morning around eleven,” she explains as I hear someone calling her in the background.
“Sounds like you are wanted, so I’ll see you tomorrow. Have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” I tease.
“That really doesn’t leave much,” she laughs before we both say goodbye and end the call. Placing my phone on the small stall with everything else. I settle into the water and close my eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath, I inhale the scent of vanilla and roses from the bubble bath Sean gave me for Christmas. It’s beautiful and so relaxing.
This is what I needed: a little time to relax before everything starts going at a million miles an hour in the lead-up to the weekend.
A smile creeps on my lips as I think about the wedding. In three short days, I will be Mrs Jasmine Rose O’Reilly and married to four remarkable men who show me every single day how much I mean to them.
I never dreamt we would ever get to this point. When I first met the O’Reillys, I was a scared seventeen-year-old who fell desperately in love with her new stepbrothers. It never crossed my mind that they would fall in love with me, too, let alone that I could have all four of them. Sure, there have been times when the five of us in this together have been difficult, but the issues tend to be out of the house rather than in it.
When it became common knowledge at school that I was in a relationship with four different guys who all knew about each other, I was called every name imaginable. I had people refuse to work with me on group projects, and I was kicked out of a study group for being a ‘money-grabbing whore’. It was tough, and as much as I wanted to confide in the guys about all that was happening, I couldn’t because I was so worried they would decide I wasn’t worth the hassle, or the most likely outcome, Christian would charge into the school and demand everyone apologise to me, whilst getting the teachers involved. I couldn’t let that happen, as it would only make matters worse. But that’s when the most unlikely of friendships formed. The same girl who had bullied me for years stood beside me and had my back.
Danielle and I hated each other; there was no other word for it. She loved to make my life a misery, and nothing brought her pleasure other than trying to break me. I lost count of how many times I left that school in tears because of how she treated me. There was even a time or two that Layton wanted to get involved, and I had to stop him. But things started to change when she found me hurt and bleeding after being attacked by Hudson. When Danielle found me, she got help and stayed until Layton arrived and brought me home. The following day, she visited, and our relationship has never been the same since. Now, she is one of my best friends and never stands for anyone attacking me verbally or otherwise.
Remembering I haven’t replied to her message about tomorrow, I open my eyes and retrieve my phone from where I had left it. Just as I open it, I hear a strange noise from the bedroom. I stop and listen to see if I can hear it again. But then the music changes, and I relax, realising it was just the previous song finishing. Sitting back in the bath, I pull up Danielle’s message and type out the reply.
Jaz: Sorry, I forgot to reply. Be ready for 11:30; we will pick you up.
A loud, high-pitched alarm sounds, making me jump and drop my phone in the water.
“Fuck,” I curse, pulling it out and grabbing a towel to dry it. If this is another lockdown drill, I’m going to kick Terry’s ass for not giving me a heads-up.
I reluctantly climb out of the bath, pulling a towel from the stall and wrapping it around my body. The alarm continues to sound as I hear a weird clunking sound coming from my bedroom. Slowly, I make my way to the door and grab my robe, wanting to be as covered as possible. If it were anything else, I would think it was one of the guys trying to scare me, but none of them would ever mess around with this.
Slowly walking into the room, I listen to the sound again and realise it's coming from the window. Turning, I expect to see the shutter down, but instead, it’s less than a quarter of the way and seems to be jammed. The sound is it fighting to drop the rest of the way.
“What the?” I walk closer to the window, trying to determine what’s going on when something moves across the glass. Jumping back, I rush for the bedroom door and try to open it, but it won’t move. Realising we have gone into complete lockdown I uncover the keypad and type in the code, but nothing happens.
“Come on,” I mutter to myself as I try the code again, but it still doesn't do anything. “Shit.” Turning back to the window slowly, I can’t see anything there now other than the broken shutter still trying to close. Rushing to the bathroom where I left my phone, I lock the door and pull up the security number. In the last couple of days, the guys have drilled in the protocol for any situation I may encounter. One thing they all had in common was that I didn’t call any of them or answer my phone in case someone was looking for me, and the sound of my voice led them to me. I’m only meant to message security with any issues and tell them where I am.
Backing away from the bathroom door and hiding behind the bath as I pull up the number for security; it’s a group chat linked to the phone security will be using.
Jasmine: Is this a drill? My bedroom shutter didn’t close, and I’m locked in as my security code doesn’t work on the door.
I await the reply, but it’s not security who replies first.
Jason: Has the security system been activated? No notification has come to Christian’s or my phone.
Sean: Mine neither. Security, confirm what’s going on!
I open our personal group chat, and the five of us share and send a message.
Jasmine: The house has gone into lockdown. My shutter is broken and hasn’t shut. My door won't unlock, so I’ve hidden myself away.
Jason: We are on our way. Get in the panic room and stay there until one of us, Layton or Terry, comes to get you.
Jumping to my feet, I head over to the bathroom door and listen to see if I can hear anything from inside my room. The alarm is so loud that it’s impossible to hear anything else with the door closed. Slowly, I open the door, inch by inch, listening for anything that may mean someone is in my room. With the door open a tiny amount, I look through the gap and am confident that the room is clear before taking a chance and running to the wardrobe where the panic room is located.
As I run across the room, my phone vibrates in my hand, but I don’t risk looking at it. Something moves out of the corner of my eye as I pass the window, but I don’t let myself look. I continue to run until I reach the back of the wardrobe, where a panic room is hidden. Moving the clothes out of the way, I find the hidden compartment and open it to type in the code, praying it will work. Thankfully, the door opens, and I jump in before slamming it and locking it from the inside. I take a deep breath and try to calm my breathing. I’m safe now; no one can unlock it from the outside now that I’ve activated the lock inside.
Leaning against the door, I take a deep breath and try to calm my racing heart. I look at the small room around me and try to focus on it, not what could be happening in the house.
The room is tiny and situated between mine and Jason's room. They had it built before I moved in, knowing there was always a chance I would need it. It consists of four walls, all sound and bulletproof, and a door. On one of the walls, there is a TV, which I turn on, knowing it's linked to the CCTV, but it only connects to the camera in my room. There is also a phone beside it where I can contact the security hub. I pick up the phone and wait for it to connect, but when it continues to ring without being answered, my anxiety starts to grow.
Where the hell is everyone? Why are they not answering? There should be two members of the team in the hub and checking the grounds, as well as two of Calvin's armed guards. Surely, this must be a technical fault because there is no way someone could possibly get close enough to activate the alarm. The lockdown system has to be activated manually unless someone tries to force access into the property. Is that what I saw at my window? Was someone trying to get in? Why has my window shutter malfunctioned? I need to know what’s going on.
Lifting my phone to send a message, I realise there is one from Layton on the security group. It must have been why my phone vibrated when I was rushing into the wardrobe.
Layton: The lockdown programme was activated at 20:24. I’m unable to make contact with the team, and the notification system failed. As far as I know, Jaz, Mrs Brown, and two security guards are at the premises. I’m en route and will be there in less than 10 minutes. Terry will get there after me but is also en route. DO NOT enter the premises before I get there. Jaz and Mrs Brown, get in the panic rooms; you will be safe there. Only message via this thread to ensure everyone’s safety.
Knowing the guys and Layton and Terry, are on the way helps put my mind at ease a little. Whilst I’m locked in here, nothing can get to me. I freeze as I realise I might be safe, but what about Embry?
He’s locked in the conservatory, ready for bed. I never have him with me when I shower or have a bath, as he loves the water and keeps trying to join me, which makes a huge mess, so I locked him in there before coming upstairs. Tears fill my eyes as I worry he’s in danger. Do the conservatory doors and windows lock like the rest of the house?
Lifting my phone, I plan on asking someone to check on him when I realise I have no signal in here, so I have no way of contacting the others. Sitting back against the wall, I bring my knees up to my chest as I shake, feeling the cold from my wet towel. I should have known better and grabbed some clothes before coming in here. I make a mental note to place a few items of clothing in here. That’s when I notice a blanket tucked away in the corner and grab it before wrapping it around myself.
Sitting back, I try to keep calm and warm as I wait for someone to get home, let me know what the hell is going on, and check on my baby. If anything happens to him, I will make whoever hurt him pay, and I won’t be hiding behind my guys; it will be me they need to fear.