Chapter Twenty-Three #2
The man who captured me and brought me back shoves me hard.
I once again fall to the floor and this time, my stomach hits because I don’t have the strength to hold myself up and protect my babies.
I cry out in pain as I curl up on myself and wrap my arms around my body.
The man laughs before slamming the door closed and locking it from the outside.
I close my eyes and let the tears fall as I silently apologize repeatedly to my babies for not protecting them.
***
I have no clue how much time has passed since I was shoved in the office at the bar.
I’ve been in and out of consciousness. Each time I wake up, the pain in my neck and upper back is excruciating.
I can’t move my head or neck in any direction without pain filling my body.
My shoulders are tight and both of my arms are tingling.
There’s also pain in my stomach, but I’m not bleeding so I’m hopeful my babies are okay.
At least that’s what I tell myself when I’m awake.
Knowing I have to get myself out of this situation, I push myself up off the floor and endure the pain in my body.
I slowly walk on unsteady legs to the desk and look for the phone.
There’s always been a phone on the desk in here.
It’s still here, but the cord has been removed.
It doesn’t plug into the wall which means I won’t be able to use it.
Taking a seat in the chair behind the desk, I start to open each drawer for anything that can help me.
At this point, the only number I can call is for emergency services.
I don’t have any of the numbers in my cell phone memorized so I can’t call one of the guys in the club.
My only hope is that Leah managed to find her way there to send help my way.
“Think, Wren. I have to do something to get out of here,” I say to myself as every single move I make sends pain through my body. The tingling in my arms is also getting worse. I can hardly move as each minute passes.
The bottom drawer of the desk is locked and I start searching for something to pry the damn thing open or bust the lock.
Looking on the desk, I find a paper weight and use it to slam the lock.
It takes longer than I thought it would, but I finally manage to break the lock free of the wood surrounding it.
When I pull it out, I manage to open the damn thing and find it almost empty.
There’s no reason for this to even be locked.
Despair fills me as I slump back against the seat and close my eyes.
I’m quickly fading again and I don’t know what I can do to stop it from happening.
I rest my hands on my belly and do the only thing I can think of to keep myself sane.
“Babies, I hope you’re okay. I know I promised you before I’d do everything in my power to protect you, and today I’ve failed.
My body isn’t strong enough right now and I hope you’re not suffering because of this.
You’re going to be starting your lives with me failing you because your daddy doesn’t want to be a dad.
I don’t know why, it’s none of my business.
I promise you right now I’ll love you both enough for him and me though.
You’ll be the center of my world and will know every second how much I love you and will do everything I can to ensure you never feel as if I don’t want you.
On our hard days, I’ll be there to support you and you’ll never know when I’m not strong enough to be the mom you need.
I love you both so much already. Please just know I’m sorry,” I say out loud as I close my eyes and imagine our future.
Whenever I picture the babies now, I see two little boys who are the perfect mix of Judge and me.
They’re not identical twins and that made me happy as hell when the technician told me that.
I think I’d be in serious trouble if I had identical twins and had a hard time telling them apart as babies before they started developing their own identities.
“Just because your daddy doesn’t want to be a dad, it doesn’t mean you won’t have strong male role models in your life.
You have two uncles on your dad’s side of the family who have already told me they’ll be there regardless of what happens between the two of us.
And Gramps who will also be there when you need him.
I have two foster brothers excited to meet you.
And your dad’s best friend, Fury, will also be in your lives.
All of them care so much about you already and I know if you call any of them, they’ll be there in a heartbeat.
Actually, I’m thinking now about moving to a town called Braedon.
It’s where your dad’s family is from. It might be nice to be closer to them instead of some random town where I don’t know anyone,” I say, seriously considering moving there sooner rather than later so I can have someone near when I go into labor.
I try to open my eyes, but it’s hard. My body is shaking worse than before and my head is pounding. Unconsciousness pulls me under once again as I’m surrounded by nothing but black and images of Judge.