Page 6 of Four Times Saved

"So, you say you're both her boyfriends, huh?" He looked between me and Matt.

I couldn't handle his lack of urgency. "Yes. She's missing and this is her mother. If you'll excuse me, I have to take her someplace safe." I pushed past him.

"Whoa. Whoa. Sorry, son. I can't let you do that. I'm afraid I can't let you walk out of here with that woman. I'm gonna have to ask both of you some questions." He stopped me once more, radioing in our dilemma.

Chapter 3

Lily

"Ethan, Eric...Is that you?" I responded to the distant voice passing through my subconscious. Though dizzy, I came to my feet, walking toward the sliver of light shining through the locked door. "I'm in here!" I coughed, the dust thick in the room, weighing down on my lungs.

"Lily? Babe, I'm coming!" It was Ryan's voice and tears filled my eyes.

"Sweetheart, are you in here?" Matt's voice was loud and clear.

"Yes! Yes! I am." I pressed my face up to the door. The bass of his voice moved through it.

"I'm about to kick the door in, so move out of the way, okay?!" Ethan warned.

My blood blasted through my veins, playing irregular rapid beats on my heart. A yell, a few thumps, and the door flew open. Daylight shocked my light-starved eyes and I blinked a few times before I could make out my four men rushing toward me. They all took turns hugging me and kissing me, each touch doing a little bit more each time to take the trauma of my captivity away. It was so good to be wrapped up in their solid arms again, to be engulfed by their heady colognes intermingling with each other. I broke down in their arms, noting how close I'd come to never seeing them again.

"Where's the bastard?" Eric growled as he cradled my face and his hand came in contact with the dampness on my head. "I'm going to kill him! Let's get you to the hospital."

Scooped up in Ryan's arms, I struggled to stay awake. When my eyes opened again, I was laying on a king-sized bed in a bedroom as big as my house. I jumped in shock.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. You're okay." Ryan's voice settled me.

"You're awake." A choked-up Ethan took my hand.

"How are you feeling?" Eric hurried toward my bed, kissing me on the forehead.

"You scared the hell out of us." Matt gasped, sitting at my feet and stroking his hand up and down my shin.

"Hmmm. That feels good." I responded to the roughness of his palm against my legs. Oh my goodness, did I even shave? My skin heated in embarrassment at whether or not I'd been bathed. Maybe flirting wasn't the best idea at the moment. Damn, did my breath smell?

"How long have I been out for?" I tipped my chin toward my neck, conscious of not opening my mouth too much just in case my breath was kicking. My voice came out in a rasp and it burned to speak.

"I'll get you some water." Matt squeezed my leg before rushing out the door.

"About two weeks. We weren't sure you were going to make it." Eric cleared his throat.

"Two weeks?!" I balked, sitting up straighter in the luxurious mattress. I bet I slept for two weeks because this thing was so damn perfect. In comparison to my old mattress that was tired and worn, the springs making themselves obvious below the worn-out padding on the too-firm surface, this was heaven. Honestly, if this was the shit they were used to, they were saints for not complaining about my bed. "Where's my mother?" I gasped, looking around as I recalled leaving her all alone in that house. "Is she okay?" My heart pounded.

"Relax. She's okay. She's in her room." Ethan smiled at me as Matt re-entered the room.

As I accepted the water and sipped from the straw on my own, despite Matt treating me like an invalid, bless him, I allowed myself to take in the view. Transparent doors looked out onto vibrant trees and tranquil water.

"So, this is it, huh?" I asked. My throat was already much better, the room temperature water doing the trick. "The Airbnb?" I noted.

Since reuniting with Eric and meeting the rest of the guys, I hadn't visited them at the Airbnb. This was how they lived? Wow. I couldn't imagine being able to afford this. I was more embarrassed of where I lived now. Their humility shone brighter and my heart bloomed in love for them.

"What? Oh." Matt grinned. "This is home. Our home. Yours too, if you'll accept it."

"What?!" The word ran from my mouth as my ears played catch up to their words.

"You don't have to think about it right now." Ryan assured me. "We're just glad you're awake." He kissed my hand. "So glad." He moved closer to kiss my cheek and I tightened.

"What's the matter?" He pulled back to ask.

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