Page 183 of Healed

Rachel shot forward, seizing hold of Bee and wrapping her in her arms. Bee cried out and Rachel grabbed the back of her head and pushed her face into her chest, shielding her from the view. She placed her hands tightly over Bee’s ears so she couldn’t hear anything and sank to the floor with her.

Rachel crossed her legs and placed Bee on her lap, singing softly to her, drowning out the rest of the horrors in the room.

The door ripped open behind me, and without waiting to see who it was, I darted to the left and snatched up a sleeping Axel, scurrying over to Rachel. We both huddled in the corner, our backs to the entrance, protecting the children with our bodies.

“You’re okay, sweetheart, you’re okay,” Rachel soothed Bee. “You were so brave, my darling. So brave. I am so proud of you.”

My heart was racing, my breathing frantic, but one look over my shoulder showed me it was Dante and Vienna who had entered. I locked eyes with Vienna, and he gave me a thumbs up. I nodded back.

We were fine.

They went over to the Rider, searching him for ID, and I pulled Axel closer to me, kissing the top of his head.

“Is… Is A-Axel okay?” Bee sobbed, clutching at her mother’s shirt with shaking fingers.

“He is. He’s safe and asleep. Look,” Rachel said, releasing Bee’s head just enough that she could look at her brother.

“I g-gave him my c-coat,” she whispered. “So he w-wouldn’t be sca-scared and col-cold.”

“Of course you did, my love,” Rachel half-laughed, half-sobbed. “Of course you protected him because you are the best big sister in the world. And he’s fine. I promise you, he’s fine.”

“Mummy,” Bee sobbed, her words completely failing her.

“Shh, shh, baby, shh. You’re okay. I promise you, you’re safe. Mummy would never let anyone harm you.”

She stroked Bee’s hair as she talked, tears falling freely down her cheeks. She reached out an arm, waving it towards me and I took the hint. Placing Axel in her arms, half of his body on top of Bee’s, I pulled away and let them have their moment.

They looked cramped and uncomfortable, but none of them seemed to mind. Rachel cocooned them in her arms, rocking them both against her.

They were safe.

They were together.

Axel opened his eyes and gave his mum a gap-toothed smile. “Boo-ey?”

Rachel sobbed with laughter. “You can watch all the Bluey you want, my love,” she said, kissing his hair and squeezing them both to her even tighter.

And then we heard the gunshots outside.

Bee whimpered, burying her face in Rachel’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” she soothed, her terrified eyes meeting mine.

“I’ll be right back,” I said to her.

“Be safe,” she whispered back. I barely heard her, and I knew it was deliberate. She hadn’t wanted Bee to hear.

I got to my feet and raced back to the wooden door, almost crashing into Dante and Vienna as I ripped it open and flew outside.

Both of their faces were grim, and my heart froze.

“Are you hurt?” I demanded, seizing hold of Vienna and running my hands over his body to inspect for myself.

“I’m fine, Gabriella. I’m fine. Hey,” he said firmly, cupping my face. “I’m fine.”

I looked at him then, almost feeling frantic but one look in his eyes had me calming.

He really was okay.