“Yes, and I took a photo of the note.” I respond, and everyone in the truck stills. The only sounds are of Midnight climbing over everything, on an adventure.
“Little Fox, what note? You didn’t mention a note when you called us.” I can tell he is trying to keep his voice calm, but it is shaking with barely contained rage.
“Right after I hung up with you,” I sniffle into the crook of Graham’s shoulder and neck. “I saw the back of the door. There was a note written in black paint on top of the red and this photo.” I reach back into my back pocket to pull the photo out. Callum takes it from me to show Demitri.
“It’s a photo of us at the game. All of us.” Callum lets his brother know.
“Ok, so what did the note say, beautiful?” Graham keeps his voice low, just loud enough for those of us in the truck to hear him but not enough to startle me laying on his chest.
“I will cut their touch from your skin and replace it with only mine.” A shaking sob leaves me. There is no trying to hide my fear anymore. I am absolutely terrified, not just for myself but for them as well. “I have put you all in danger. I cannot do that to you guys.”
“We will keep you safe, Nyx.” Is the last thing I hear before my anxiety and fear make everything go black and I fall asleep here in Graham’s arms.
CHAPTER 36
DEMITRI
Nyx has finally stopped whimpering in her sleep, and we are getting ready to pull up to the gate. I would love to let her sleep in Graham’s arms, but I need her safe in my house. Our house, with security tighter than the White House. With the bulletproof, locked windows, with doors that you cannot break down. Yes, I may be a little crazy when it comes to the safety of my loved ones and myself. Since Stasi’s murder, everyone’s protection is more important than anything else. No dollar wasted for the best. I even made sure to secure my parent’s house since we got home from that deployment.
As we approach the gate, something is wrong. The gate has been blown to shit, and our driveway is open to anyone. I can feel my heart start to race. The panic washes over my stoic face.
“What the fuck?” Graham says quietly to not disturb the beautiful girl in his lap.
“What he said.” Callum climbs out of the truck with his hand on his gun.
I go to join him, giving Graham a look that says to protect her with his life. Giving him his gun from the locked center console, before climbing out of the truck. I peer around to see if I cansee anyone lurking in the darkness. Nothing seems out of place, well minus the gate blasted open. No weird packages, no notes, nothing.
Callum and I join them back in my truck, and we head for the house. My breathing tries to ratchet up, but I keep everything slow and controlled.Breathe in for 4,3,2,1…breathe out for 4,3,2,1.Every breath is slow, controlled and methodical. I will not lose control right now.
“Stay here.” I growl at Graham. I’m too loud, and Nyx starts to stir.
“Go, I got this.” Graham tells me before he goes back to comforting the beautiful woman in his arms. I hear him start to quiet her before I jump out of the truck.
“Ok, you got my six, Cal?” I ask Callum as we walk up to the front of the house.
“Duh.” Is his only response before the motion sensor light switches on and every single thought empties out of my head.
You can’t protect her, even here. She will be mine.
The message is painted on the siding with dripping red spray paint. Scrawled across the windows to the living room.Fuck.There goes my perfect control. The anxiety washes through my system like Niagara Falls. My breathing no longer controlled, coming out in short staccato beats. My heart is going to bust right out of my chest, and I cannot get things to slow down enough for me to think. I fall to my knees, and my hands pull at my hair.
“Demon.” I hear her gentle steps walk up behind me before I notice she is crouching down to kneel on the ground next to me. My hands in my hair and tears trying to break free.
“Get back in the truck, Little Fox. I can’t protect you out here.” She giggles slightly, pulls her Sig out of the built-in holster on her leggings and holds it in her right hand. She takes my face in her one open hand and gives me the lightest kiss possible.
“Demitri,” she leans into my ear, “I can protect myself for the most part. The Hutch Bro’s are out doing a perimeter sweep, and you need me.”
“The Hutch Bro’s, huh?” The statement makes me smile. “Maybe we need to get shirts made.”
Her touch starts to make me feel slightly more in control. She keeps her left hand on my cheek, and I reach up to rest mine on top of her soft fingers. She doesn’t say anything, but she holds my gaze, and she breathes in and out in slow controlled movements. I follow her, and get my heart slowed, and my breathing returns to normal.
“Good boy.” She coo’s gently, “Do you think you can stand up for me, Demon?” I nod my head at her, not willing to speak yet. Too afraid to break again. She doesn’t need to see me break.
We both get up off the ground and face the house. Her hand is a constant presence on my arm since she can no longer comfortably reach my face. I start walking up to take a look at the windows and door.
“All clear out here, Dee.” Graham and Cal say in unison. I swear they were meant to be twins sometimes.
“Ok, good. Now let’s see what’s going on with the house.” I hear Nyx answer while I just stare at the message.
