Chapter 39
Ryan hits the floor hard.
I barely register it.
The second I hear Chloe's voice from the bathroom again, everything else disappears into the background.
Ava crying.
Chloe sounding terrified.
That's all I hear.
"Chloe," I call, already moving.
No answer.
Just the muffled sound of panic through the door.
I reach the bathroom in seconds and shove the door open.
And the sight inside nearly guts me.
Chloe is sitting on the floor against the wall, shaking so violently that it looks painful.
Callahan is beside her.
Not part of the fight.
Not anywhere near Ryan.
Just here.
One arm wrapped securely around Ava against his chest while his other hand rested carefully on Chloe's shoulder, grounding her, keeping her breathing through whatever's happening inside her head.
Ava is still crying, exhausted and overwhelmed, tiny fists curled into Callahan's shirt.
Chloe's eyes snap to me the second I walk in.
And she breaks.
Completely.
"Mason"
The sound of my name in her mouth is shattered.
I'm across the room instantly.
"Hey," I say immediately, dropping down in front of her. "Hey, I'm here. I've got you."
She makes this broken sobbing sound and grabs for me immediately, fingers twisting hard into my shirt like she needs proof I'm real.
Callahan shifts slightly to give me room without moving away from her completely.
"She's been trying to keep it together," he says quietly.
I nod once.
Can barely think past Chloe crying in front of me.
The second I pull her into me, she collapses fully.
Her arms lock around my waist.
Her face buries into my chest.
And she shakes so hard, I tighten my hold on instinct.
"I thought..." she chokes out. "I thought he..."
"I know," I say firmly, one hand cradling the back of her head. "I know. You're okay now."
She shakes her head against me like she doesn't believe it yet.
Behind her, Ava lets out another tired cry.
Callahan immediately rests her head against his chest, murmuring something soft and steady to calm her while keeping his focus carefully split between the two girls.
And it hits me suddenly
How safe Chloe let herself be with him.
How she let him stay in here with her.
How she trusted him to hold Ava.
That matters.
A lot.
"I couldn't hear you," Chloe whispers against my chest. "I thought something happened."
"I'm here," I repeat immediately. "I'm right here."
Her breathing is ragged.
Uneven.
Like every breath hurts.
Callahan stays quiet beside us, steady as ever, gently rubbing Ava's back while she slowly settles against him.
Chloe still doesn't let go of me.
Not even slightly.
"I've got you," I murmur into her hair. "Both of you."
Her grip tightens painfully at that.
"I'm not going anywhere," I say again.
That finally makes her cry harder.
Not panic now.
Relief.
The kind that comes after holding fear in too long.
I hold her there on the bathroom floor while Callahan keeps Ava close and calm beside us.
And for the first time since Chloe called me, everything finally starts to slow down.