Page 45 of The Very Naughty List

There’s no light in here anymore, and even though the space is big enough that I’m in no real danger of being suffocated or crushed to death, it doesn’t matter. The fact that there’s no way out makes it feel as if my skin is crawling and I can’t suck enough oxygen into my lungs.

I’m spiraling, and I dig the nails of one hand into my palm, trying to ground myself, but it’s not working.

I need to get out of here.

Please, Sebastian. Please come get me.

My chest feels like it’s being squeezed in a vise, each inhale sending stabbing pains shooting through my ribs as my body fights to draw in air. I force myself to keep breathing, tiny, shallow breaths that fill my ears with a harsh, raspy sound.

I feel like I’m drowning in darkness. Like I’m about to be pulled under, and I’ll never fight my way back to the surface.

“Hailey. Hailey!”

A muffled voice slowly registers in my ears, cutting through a bit of the panic. There’s a loud banging sound, and a second later, the crawlspace door swings open. Light floods the small space, illuminating Sebastian’s worried features.

“You’re okay,” he murmurs as he reaches for me, and I practically throw myself into his arms. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

He lets me cling to him for a moment as shudders wrack my body, and when I finally loosen my hold a bit, he helps me down the ladder. When we reach the floor, I still feel lightheaded, my legs so wobbly that I almost collapse into a heap. Sebastian notices immediately and pulls me close, tucking me against his chest and keeping his arm wrapped tightly around me. Nick and Reid are here too, flanking us on either side.

Reid steps forward, rounding on the Divas. They’ve all gathered around us, no doubt eager to witness the spectacle of me being rescued from the crawlspace like some kind of frightened child.

“What the actualfuck?” His voice is low, but the anger in his tone is unmistakable. “What the hell were you thinking, locking Hailey in that crawlspace?”

“It was just an accident.” Maeve gives him her most falsely sincere smile. “We had no idea that she was stuck up there. I assumed she was just taking her time with the wreath materials. We hadn’t heard anything from her until the three of you barged in here like the place was on fire.” Her gaze flicks to me, and she gives me a condescending look before adding, “Honestly, she probably just called you because she wanted the attention.”

My stomach clenches. It’s bad enough that I had a panic attack in front of the women who used to bully me, but for her to imply that I was faking it just so that the Cooper brothers would rush to my aid makes me feel even worse.

Before I can respond to that, though, Nick steps forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Reid.

“You’re almost as terrible a liar as you are a person,” he growls, and Maeve’s eyes widen, her cheeks flushing with arrogant embarrassment.

“I don’t—” she starts to say, but Nick cuts her off.

“Save it,” he bites out. “We don’t need to hear any more of your bullshit, and neither does Hailey. We’re taking her home. But if you ever treat her badly again—hell, if you ever even fuckingtalkto her again—you’ll be dealing with the three of us. You got that?” His voice hardens as he sweeps the rest of the Divas with an icy glare. “That goes for all of you. Understood? Hailey is off fucking limits.”

There’s a moment of stunned silence as all the Divas stare at him in shock. Then they slowly nod, looking more cowed than I’ve ever seen them. Even Maeve seems thrown off by the force of the Cooper brothers’ defense of me, clearing her throat and looking at the floor as she nods along with the others.

“Don’t worry about finishing up the wreath,” she mutters. “We’ll get the materials down and do it for you.”

“Damn fucking right you will.” Reid glares at Maeve. “She’s done here.”

My legs still feel like they might give out at any moment, but with all three Cooper brothers surrounding me, I manage to make it out of the Courtyard Shops without my knees buckling. I can feel the Divas watching us as we go, but the men don’t even spare them another glance, and neither do I.

Nick was right. I’m well and truly done with them—and now, thanks to him and his brothers, maybe they’re finally done with me.

All of the men drove to the Courtyard Shops separately, since they were all in different places when Sebastian texted to let Reid and Nick know what was going on with me. They leave my car where it is, and I ride home in Sebastian’s car, with the other two trailing right behind us.

Back at their place, they get me into the living room and onto the couch, and I curl up next to Nick, leaning against him more unabashedly than I might in other circumstances. I’m still trying to come down from the panic, and his steady, solid presence is helping.

“Thank you all for coming to get me,” I whisper, trying to keep the quaver out of my voice. “I know it was silly for me to get so freaked out over it, but I really don’t do well in confined spaces.”

“It’s not silly at all,” Nick grunts.

Sebastian nods. “Seriously, Hailey. I’ve got a confined spaces thing too, so I get it.”

“Everyone has things that they’re afraid of,” Reid adds. His expression darkens as he adds, “And I’m glad you called Seb, since those fucking bitches thought it was more fun to laugh at you than to help you.”

Sebastian and Reid settle onto the couch too, all four of us crowding onto the large sofa. Reid rubs my back, and the palm of his hand feels warm and smooth as he traces steady circles. It’s rhythmic and relaxing, and Sebastian reaches for my hand, talking to me quietly about nothing important.

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