Chapter 1
Scarlett
The first rays of dawn crept through the curtains, painting the room in soft golden light. I stirred with a quiet sound, awareness returning slowly. Warm bodies surrounded me, their familiar presence both comfort and anchor after another night of restless sleep. Every inch of contact reminded me of how we’d made love last night, desperate to feel something other than helpless worry.
Graham’s arm draped protectively over my waist, his hand resting on my hip. Brody’s steady breathing tickled the back of my neck, his solid presence a shield at my back. Drake’s fingers splayed across my thigh, one leg tangled with mine.
For a moment, I allowed myself to sink into their warmth, to pretend this was just another morning. But reality scratched at the edges of my mind, impossible to ignore. Jenny was out there somewhere, scared and alone. Sweet Jenny, who’d dragged me into that gym in the first place, who’d shown me that being broken didn’t mean staying broken.
My chest tightened. We’d cut Maddy’s funeral short when the call came about Jenny’s kidnapping, but we’d still been too late. The image of Jenny’s brothers in the hospital, battered and unconscious, haunted me. I should have been there. Should have…
“Stop,” Graham murmured against my shoulder, reading my tension. “You couldn’t have known.”
I turned in their embrace, needing to see his face. His eyes were heavy with the same worry that plagued us all, but his touch remained gentle as he brushed hair from my face. Behind me, Brody’s arm tightened, pulling me closer.
“The police are handling it,” Drake reminded me softly, his thumb tracing circles on my hip. “Let them do their jobs.”
But they all knew how I felt about leaving things to the police after my own attack went unsolved. Special Agent Reeves seemed competent enough, had been working my case for months, but still…
“I just keep thinking about how scared she must be,” I whispered. “She’s so young, and after what happened to her brothers—”
“Jenny’s tough,” Brody’s voice rumbled against my back. “Tougher than most adults I know. She’ll hold on until they find her.”
I rolled to face him, studying the shadows under his eyes. He’d been at the gym late last night, checking security footage again even though the police had already been through it. They were all handling their helplessness differently - Brody with restless energy, Drake with his quiet vigilance, Graham with his increased protective instincts.
“I love you,” I said softly, touching Brody’s face. “All of you. I don’t know how I’d get through this without you.”
His kiss was gentle despite the tension I could feel thrumming through him. Graham pressed closer behind me, his lips finding that sensitive spot beneath my ear. Drake’s hand slid higher on my thigh, and for a moment I let myself get lost in them, in the way they loved me - each touch unique but part of a greater whole.
Later, we’d have to face the day. Face returning to work after Maddy’s funeral, face the worried looks and whispered concerns about Jenny. Face the growing certainty that someone in the department was feeding information to whoever had taken her. But for now, in this quiet morning light, I could draw strength from their love.
Graham’s fingers traced my scars with familiar reverence - not pitying but acknowledging my survival. Brody’s calloused hands mapped my skin like memorizing a prayer. Drake’s touch grounded me in the present when memories threatened to overwhelm.
These men had taught me that broken didn’t mean unfixable. That vulnerability could be strength. That love could take many forms and still be perfect.
“We should get up,” I murmured eventually, though I made no move to leave their embrace. “The police might have news—”
“Five more minutes,” Graham said against my neck, and I felt his smile. “Let the world wait a little longer.”
Five more minutes to be just us. Five more minutes before we had to put on our public faces and pretend we weren’t all terrified for Jenny. Five more minutes to draw strength from each other before facing whatever came next.
I closed my eyes and breathed them in, storing this moment like armor against the day ahead.
The shower steam curled around us, hot water cascading over tired muscles. Drake washed my hair with gentle fingers while Brody’s hands worked the knots from my shoulders. Such a familiar morning ritual, nothing sexual about it now - just love and support wrapped in wisps of steam.
“You don’t have to go in today,” Graham said from where he leaned against the bathroom door frame, already dressed in yesterday’s slightly rumpled suit. “Everyone would understand.”
I tilted my head back, letting Drake rinse the shampoo away. “I need to be there. I can’t just sit here wondering—” I couldn’t finish the thought.
“At least let me drive you.” Graham’s tone softened. “Save you from the subway crowds.”
The mention of crowds made me tense slightly. After my attack, I’d forced myself to take the subway, refusing to let fear rule me. But today… today I didn’t have the energy for that particular battle.
“Thank you,” I said simply.
Brody’s hands stilled on my shoulders. “I don’t like any of this,” he growled softly. “Someone at that company—” He trailed off as Drake shot him a warning look.
“Not now,” Drake murmured, his fingers still gentle in my hair. “Let’s just get through today.”
We dressed in comfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts. I chose my armor carefully - a steel gray suit that made me feel powerful, heels that clicked with authority. Graham helped me twist my hair into its perfect coil while Brody made coffee downstairs.
The kitchen smelled of coffee and normalcy when I descended. Drake had his laptop open at the counter, scanning news sites with practiced casualness. Brody handed me my usual morning protein shake - he’d been trying to bulk me up ever since I started training seriously at the gym.
“April texted,” Drake said without looking up. “She’s already at the office. Said Special Agent Reeves might stop by later to update us.”
I nodded, grateful for April’s efficiency. My assistant had become so much more than that - a friend, a confidante, part of our strange little family.
“I should head home to change,” Graham said reluctantly. He crossed to me, kissing me with careful tenderness. “I’ll be back to pick you up in an hour?”
I nodded against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. When he pulled away, Brody immediately filled the space he’d left, wrapping me in his fighter’s embrace and leading me toward the table where breakfast waited.
In less than an hour, Graham returned to pick me up and I was as ready as I’d ever be. After what happened with Felicia I was still a little nervous about going to the office.
“Stay safe today, Bella,” Brody murmured against my hair. “Promise me.”
“Always.” I stretched up to kiss him, drawing strength from his solid presence.
Drake was last, his kiss gentle but thorough. “We’re just a call away,” he reminded me. “Any time, any reason.”
I touched each of their faces in turn, memorizing this moment. “I love you. All of you.”
Graham’s Mercedes purred in the driveway waiting for me. I checked my lipstick one last time - coral perfection, drawing attention away from the shadows under my eyes. Time to face the world.
I caught a last glimpse of my men in the rearview mirror as we pulled away. They looked like sentinels, guarding what was theirs. The sight gave me strength.
I was going to need it.
“Can we?” My voice caught as we neared the hospital. “I need to see them.”
Graham’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, but he nodded, smoothly changing lanes. The hospital loomed ahead, its windows reflecting the morning sun like accusatory eyes. My heart hammered against my ribs as we parked, memories of my own time here threatening to surface.
“Want me to come in?” Graham asked softly.
I shook my head, though my fingers trembled as I reached for the door handle. “I need to do this alone.”
The antiseptic smell hit me first, so familiar it made my stomach clench. My heels clicked against sterile tile as I made my way to the ICU, each step requiring conscious effort. The weight of failure pressed down on my shoulders - I should have been there, should have protected Jenny, should have…
Jenny’s mother looked up as I entered the room, rising from her vigil between her sons’ beds. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, but warmth filled her face at the sight of me.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Mrs. Thompson said, pulling me into an unexpected embrace. “I was hoping you’d come.”
The simple kindness shattered what remained of my composure. A sob caught in my throat as I looked past Mrs. Thompson to where Tommy and Jake lay still and pale, machines beeping steady rhythms around them.
“I’m so sorry,” I choked out, tears spilling freely now. “I should have been there. I should have—”
“Stop that right now.” Mrs. Thompson’s voice was gentle but firm as she guided me to a chair. “None of this is your fault. You’ve been nothing but good to my Jenny.”
I wiped uselessly at my tears. “But I—”
“Do you know what Jenny said about you, just last week?” Mrs. Thompson squeezed my hand. “She said she finally understood why princesses in fairy tales needed friends as much as they needed knights. Because you showed her that being strong doesn’t mean being alone.”
A fresh wave of tears blurred my vision. “She’s so brave. So much braver than I ever was—”
“She gets that from you, you know.” Mrs. Thompson smiled sadly. “The way she faces things head-on now, the way she stands up for herself and others. She practically hero-worships you.”
“But I’m not—” I gestured helplessly at the hospital room, at the unconscious boys. “I couldn’t protect her.”
“You gave her something better. You gave her the tools to protect herself.” Mrs. Thompson’s eyes filled with tears even as she smiled. “The doctors say both boys will recover. And Jenny… my Jenny is strong. Wherever she is, she’s fighting. I know it in my heart.”
I looked at Tommy and Jake, remembered how they used to tease Jenny at the gym, their pride poorly hidden behind brotherly jokes. “Have the police…?”
“Reeves was here earlier. They’re doing everything they can.” Mrs. Thompson’s voice wavered slightly. “We have to believe that’s enough.”
When I finally left, my legs felt unsteady. Graham waited in the car, concern etching his features as he took in my tear-stained face. Without a word, he reached across and pulled me into his arms, letting me cry against his expensive suit.
“She thanked me,” I whispered brokenly. “Her daughter’s missing and she thanked me.”
Graham stroked my hair, murmuring soft comfort until my tears slowed. Only then did he start the car, heading toward the office where we’d have to pretend this was just another day.
But Mrs. Thompson’s words echoed in my mind: Wherever she is, she’s fighting.
God, I hoped that was true.
The familiar office building loomed ahead, its glass exterior reflecting the morning sun. I reapplied my lipstick in the visor mirror and dabbed a little powder on my face, hiding any trace of tears. Graham’s hand found mine as we pulled into his reserved space.
“Ready?” he asked softly.
No. I wasn’t ready. But I nodded anyway, squaring my shoulders as we walked toward the entrance. My heels clicked against marble with practiced authority, each step carrying me further from the broken woman who’d cried in the hospital and closer to Scarlett Swanson, Corporate Director.
The lobby buzzed with morning activity. Eyes followed our progress - they always did. Graham Clarke and I, the picture of professional success. If anyone noticed my slightly red-rimmed eyes, they’d attribute it to Maddy’s funeral. Better that, than knowing the truth.
“Ms. Swanson!” Cassandra’s voice carried across the lobby, too bright, too eager. Georgia’s new assistant hurried toward us, tablet clutched to her chest. “I’ve been so excited to meet you. When Mr. Clarke hired me as an executive assist” She reached as if to touch my arm.
I noted how Graham tensed beside me, but April materialized before Cassandra could make contact. “Ms. Swanson has a full schedule this morning,” April said smoothly, stepping between us. “I’ll take it from here, Cassandra.”
In the elevator, I let out a shaky breath. “Thank you. Who is that?” I turned to Graham. “You hired another assistant?”
“That girl needs a muzzle,” April muttered, her professional mask slipping briefly. “Or a transfer to accounting. Far, far away from here.”
For the first time all morning, I laughed. I was grateful for April’s comedic moment and smiled at her. She winked with a mischievous grin.
The elevator opened onto our floor, and I felt the familiar weight of expectations settle onto my shoulders. Staff members glanced up as I passed, their sympathy almost worse than Cassandra’s eager attention.
Georgia met us at the top of the stairs, efficient as always. “Welcome back, Ms. Swanson. Your morning calls have been rescheduled, and there’s fresh coffee in your office.”
“What would I do without you?” I managed a small smile.
“Perish, obviously.” Georgia’s eyes sparkled with warm understanding. “Mr. Clarke, the CEO’s office called. They’d like to see you this morning.”
Something flickered in Graham’s expression, too quick to catch. “Of course. Ms. Swanson, we’ll review the Holland campaign later?”
“Yes, thank you.” The words felt formal and strange after our intimate morning, but this was work. We had roles to play.
My office felt both sanctuary and cage as I settled behind my desk. April followed, closing the door with gentle finality.
“Special Agent Reeves called,” April said quietly. “He’ll be by later to update us. And Scarlett?” She hesitated. “Christian mentioned that Rory’s been acting strange about the case. Like he knows something he’s not sharing.”
I looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. It’s probably nothing.” April’s voice wavered slightly. “It’s just… ever since Jenny… he’s been so distant. They all have, but him especially.”
Before I could respond, a knock preceded Walter appearing in the doorway. “Ms. Swanson? So sorry to interrupt, but there’s something you should see.”
Work. Focus on work. It was all I could do right now.
Walter excused himself after a brief update about department metrics, leaving me alone with April. Georgia slipped in moments later, balancing three coffee cups with practiced ease.
“I thought we could all use a refill,” Georgia said, settling onto the small sofa in my office. “And a moment of peace before the day really begins.”
April accepted her cup gratefully. “Did you hear about what happened in Marketing?”
“Oh?” Georgia’s eyebrows rose. “Do tell.”
“Apparently, someone mishandled a major account.” April lowered her voice despite the closed door. “I heard there was shouting in the executive conference room yesterday.”
“That explains the HR meeting this morning.” Georgia sipped her coffee. “Seavers, the nerdy little guy from accounting, said someone was escorted out.”
I let the gentle rhythm of office gossip wash over me, grateful for this pocket of normalcy. I smiled, sipping my coffee and listening to all the latest gossip. For a moment, things felt calm even though it was about the troubles we’d soon be faced with.
“Marketing’s going to be a mess for weeks,” April mused. “Remember the last time they had to redistribute accounts?”
Georgia rolled her eyes. “God, yes. Chaos for a month.”
The conversation drifted, touching on safer topics - the cafeteria’s awful new coffee, someone’s desktop plant that had grown wildly out of control, the eternal mystery of who kept stealing lunches from the break room fridge.
For just a moment, we were just three women sharing coffee and conversation. No kidnappings, no conspiracies, no distant partners or corporate intrigue. Just this - friendship and terrible office coffee and the comfort of routine.
All too soon, reality beckoned. Georgia’s phone buzzed with messages requiring attention. April had calls to return. The day needed to begin in earnest.
But as we rose to face it, I felt steadier.