As Levi entered the number into his phone, Derek shifted from where he stood and gave Sydney a soft smile.
“Now, Sydney,” he said gently, stepping forward, “You’ve been through quite a bit today. What you need right now is a bit of a break.”
Sydney looked up at him, blinking.
“I’m going to have someone come take you to one of our guest rooms.” he continued. “You’ll have a nice warm bath, put on some soft pajamas, and have yourself a nice long nap.”
Her lips parted. “You’re not... sending me away?”
Roland’s heart fractured a little.
“No,” Derek said, firm but kind. “You’re not going anywhere until we know what’s going on. This is a safe place, and right now, you’re under our protection. While you’re here, no harm will come to you.”
Sydney blinked quickly, then nodded, her throat working to keep her emotions at bay.
Derek smiled at her. “I’d normally have my wife, Sadie, help you settle in. But she’s in a class at the moment. So Erika will be coming over. She’s a great help when new guests and Littles come in. Is that alright?”
“Yes, Sir,” Sydney said, her voice small but sure.
Derek turned and nodded and within moments, Erika approached from across the lobby. She exuded a quiet calmness and, as usual, her short brown hair looked perfectly in place, and Roland was sure her no-nonsense energy would put Sydney at ease.
“There you are,” Erika said softly, approaching the couch. “I’m Erika. You ready to come with me?”
Sydney looked up at her like she might cry after all, but didn’t. She simply nodded before looking to Levi as if she wanted his permission, and when he smiled at her, she stood up.
Levi rose beside her, steadying her elbow without a word. Erika then led the young woman from the room, leaving the three men with their heavy thoughts and worries.
Chapter Six
Sydney
The sun was already high when Sydney finally opened her eyes. The thick curtains in the guest room let in just enough light to make the space glow softly. For a few long seconds, she just lay there, curled beneath a soft fleece blanket someone had tucked around her after she’d fallen asleep.
The smell of lavender still clung faintly to her skin from the bath she’d been ordered to take.
Not that Sydney had even thought about arguing.
She’d barely had the energy to thank Erika before sliding into the deep tub and sinking under the bubbles. The sweet Erika had brought pizza, too. Comfort food, and something that Sydney could have easily gotten at home, so it didn’t make her feel even more homesick than she’d been feeling since the drama at the gate.
It was exactly what was needed. She ate until the ache in her stomach settled, and then fell asleep.
Slept and slept and slept.
She should have gotten up. Should have gotten dressed, found someone, anyone, to ask about Greg, about what came next. But instead opted to stay curled under the blanket,clutching Banana, like a lifeline. The fear was still there, the anxiety a constant presence in the room with her.
She was almost thirty years old, but at the moment had no interest in being anything other than the five-year-old she liked to be when...
Crud. When her Daddy video called her, so she could play.
A knock sounded on the door, stopping her spiral into the heartache she’d been hiding from. If a knock could be chipper... this one certainly was. Before Sydney could sit up fully, it opened and in bounced…
Well, the visitor could only be described as sunshine.
Long, loose brown hair, oversized pink hoodie with a glittery unicorn on the front, mismatched socks and bunny slippers. The girl in the doorway looked younger than Sydney, but she wasn’t convinced she was.
“Hi there, sleepy head,” she said grinning. “I’m Sadie! You must be Sydney!”
Sydney blinked. “Um... yes?”
