ELENA'S POV
"Bye, Sam. I'll see you on Saturday or Sunday," I said, grabbing my stuff from her couch.
She was not In a good place , physically and emotionally. She barely ate . I had to force her to eat something.
Sam just nodded, but I could see it in her eyes she was still shattered. Jacob had cheated on her with Martha. Her own sister. It was ugly, and she wasn't over it. I'd stayed to keep her company, but I had work tomorrow.
"Do you really have to go? It's late, you know."she whispers .. sniffling a little her voice small and broken and it shutters me to see the usual bubbly summer like this .
I'd suggested for her to come and stay with me for a while but she declined the offer .
"Yes, babe. I'll call when I get home." I hugged her tight, forcing a smile.
She hugged me back , before escorting me to her door. I smile back at her one last time .
The moment I stepped outside, the evening chill wrapped around me. The wind tugged at my hair, crickets chirping in the dark. It was late ten-thirty. Twenty minutes, and I'd be home.
The drive was quiet, empty roads stretching ahead. Soon, I was parking in my apartment lot.
That's when the unease started.
The building was silent. Too silent. No one in the hallway, no faint sounds from behind closed doors. I hated the dark, and tonight it felt heavier.
When I reached my door, I dug in my bag for my keys then froze.
My brows lifted in confusion.
A white envelope lay on the floor. No sender. Just my name, Elena, written in neat, deliberate handwriting.
My fingers shook as I picked it up. I unlocked the door and stepped inside without thinking to lock it properly behind me. The lights flicked on, but something… felt wrong.
Like someone had been here.I stand there and look at my living room everything was in place but it felt weird .
Everything looked the same, but my instincts screamed otherwise.
I sat down, tearing open the envelope.
> To Elena
ILL BE SEEING YOU SOON PUMPKIN. YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM ME ANYMORE. MRS GREY
Pumpkin was what my mother used to call me .
The words blurred as my heartbeat surged, pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. My chest tightened , my breathing stuttered. Tears burned. My body shook.
"No… no, no… this can't..please, no…" My voice was barely a whisper.My panic attack hitting like a storm.
Panic claws at me as I hugged my knees to my chest ..I throw the paper somewhere and I cry to my self . A million questions making my heart beat race and my chest tighten.My whole body trembles and I can't breath.
---
RIO'S POV
I've been knocking for over a minute. Nothing.
I stand outside her door , running a hand over my face .Why is she not answering me . I know she's home . My men reported to me .
I turn the knob slightly and the door opens . She didn't lock it .
"Elena?"I call out .
I look around..
"El..,"I freeze when I spot her .
On the floor. Curled in on herself, trembling. Her face streaked with tears, gasping for air like she was drowning she was shaking so bad my chest tightens .
"Elena." My voice came out low, edged with something dangerous.
I get down to her level my shadow swallowing hers .
She flinches when I touched her arm , and she immediately backs up away from me .
Then her eyes lift red and glossy her lips quivering and relief physically floods over her .
"Rio?" The sound of my name, cracked and raw, just about broke me . I hate seeing her like this .
I move closer to her , wrapping her up before she could fall apart any further. She clung to my shirt, her small hands fisting the fabric like I was the only thing keeping her from disappearing.
"They've… I… can't—" she tried, voice shaking trembling as she clung to me more her whole body tense .
"Shhh," I murmured against her hair, my tone edged with concern and possessiveness
"No talking. Just breathe. You're safe. I'm here."i whisper. She sniffles and sobs in my arms and I hold her tighter pulling her fully on me and she burried her face in the crook of my neck .
My fingers threaded through her hair, my other hand rubbing her back in slow circles. I kept my breathing steady, forcing her to match me.
Little by little, her sobs quieted. But I didn't let go.
Not yet.
Her breathing steadied, but I kept her in my arms a little longer. She felt too small like this, too breakable.
Whoever had put that look on her face… I'd make sure they regretted breathing.
I look down at her and brush her hair off her face . Her face was red teary but still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen..even broken like this .
"Can you stand?" I ask , low enough that my voice wouldn't spook her. She just shakesher head against my chest.
Fine.
I slide off her heels .
I then lift her slowly off my chest and drag her trench coat off .
I slid one arm beneath her knees, the other under her back, and lifted her.
She made this tiny sound,half gasp, half sigh but curled into me instantly.
"I've got you, princesa," I said, and I meant it in ways she didn't even know yet.
Her head rested against my shoulder, her fingers gripping my shirt like she thought I'd disappear. I moved slow, steady steps toward her bedroom. She mumbled directions between shaky breaths, and I followed them , she felt light in my arms and I didn't want to let her go .
I could have her like this every single day and I wouldn't mind .
When I pushed open her bedroom door, I flicked the light on and carried her straight to the bed. I lowered her gently onto the mattress, but she kept hold on me until I brushed my thumb across her cheek.
"I'm not going anywhere."i whisper promising her . She leans into my touch and I smile softly at her .
I move to her closet, pulled out the softest set of pajamas I could find, and handed them to her.
"Change into these. I'll get you some warm milk."
She gave the smallest nod, and I left,only long enough to heat the milk and check her door lock twice. When I came back, she was in bed, hair damp from washing her face, she looks fragile and small under those covers ,her back pressed to the headboard staring into nothing.
I move towards her and seat next to her .
"Drink," I said simply, holding the cup until she finishes .
She downs the milk in small sips . I place the empty glass on the bedside table. I reach up tucking a wet strand behind her ear.
"You sure you're okay?" I ask, my touch lingering longer .
"yea ..thank you ..,"she whispers , managing a small smile .Even broken and scared she still manges to smile at me . The sight making my chest tighten in the best way .
I stand but her hand shot out, curling around my wrist.
"Please… stay."she pleads . Her hand around mine makes me swallow hard and Iift my gaze to her .
Something in me shifted.
"Of course. Anything for you princess..am not going anywhere"i assure her . She nods and scoots over leaving space for me but her eyes still stay on mine .
The space between us crackels with tension like it always does when we look at each other like we are right now .
I unbuttoned my shirt slowly, one by one, never breaking eye contact. She didn't even pretend to look away. When it was off, her gaze swept over the tattoos inked across my chest and arms ,dragons, wings, blades, lines of scripture. The places where my skin was bare were deliberate, not empty.
Her throat bobs and she licks her lips . Yeap shes gonna be the death of me .
Her lips parted slightly, and I almost smiled.
If it's not for the situation..I would have fucked her senseless from the way she's looking at me . But tonight she needs comfort and safe . Not sex .
I slipped into bed behind her, pulling her back flush to my chest, one arm snaking around her waist. She fit there too perfectly.
I inhale her scent like I always do when am close . I move her hair to the side and I burry my face in the crook of her neck. She snuggles closer with a sigh of relief.
"Goodnight, princesa," I murmured into her hair.
Her voice was soft when she whispered back,
"Goodnight, Rio."
I kept my eyes open long after hers closed.
Because if anyone came for her tonight… they'd have to get through me first.