Page 43 of Mind

Chase holds out his arms. I’m drawn into them like iron filings to a magnet. “Everything’s going to be okay,” I say while snuggling into his chest. The citrus and sandalwood smell fills me with an instant sense of peace.

“Yes it will, I’m going to make sure of it,” he says with a jarring lack of emotion. Leaning back, I take in his face. It’s hard, his eyes cold. He’s working his jaw as if he’s grinding rocks between his teeth. Even though his outward appearance is off-putting, he’s still holding me with a tenderness that I know is solely for me and what we have between us. After one more hug, Chase moves me to his side. “Phillip, Bree, we need to update you on what happened this morning.”

Bree’s eyes narrow and look at each one of us speculatively. “Something really bad happened. That’s why you’re all hovering over me and acting like this is the first time you’ve seen me in years.” Maria and Kat look at one another. I hold my head low, guilt rearing its despicable presence once more. “What is it? Tell me now,” she says with a tightness in her tone. Phil reaches out a hand and cups her shoulder.

I glance at everyone around the room. Kat in Carson’s arms, Maria holding up a wall near the hospital bed, both bodyguards as well as Chase and me. All of us look at Bree with nothing but…sadness. Chase moves to speak but Maria holds out a hand to him. He just nods allowing her to approach this delicate situation in the best way possible under the circumstances. I couldn’t speak right now if I tried. My throat is dry and coated in remorse.

Maria walks over to Bree and takes her hand. “Bree, there was an attack on Charity at your Studio.” Bree’s eyes widen and she backs up a step. “Cariño, Charity didn’t make it.”

Bree’s head shakes back and forth. “No, no, what on earth do you mean she didn’t make it? You mean she was killed?” her voice goes to a high pitch. She sucks in a breath then whispers, “What happened?” Phil pulls Bree onto the bed and she sits in the curve of space next to his hip. He loops an arm around her waist. His hand is lying directly over her stomach protecting his unborn child already. Paternal instinct already in motion even though he doesn’t know it.

“The...uh...stalker slit her throat honey.” One of her tiny hands flies up to her mouth, her eyes going impossibly wide. “Hermana, that cut was meant for you. He left a-another message,” she stumbles on the words, the emotion clogging her voice before she clears her throat.

Chase takes this moment to jump in. “The stalker has taken steps to kill both Phillip and now Bree,” he looks over at Bree with sympathy. “This has escalated beyond any investigation my team can handle. The investigation is now being handled by the San Francisco PD. Thomas is still the detective in charge and will keep us apprised of information as it becomes available. Until then, I have a plan to keep all of you safe.”

Maria’s head turns so fast toward Chase it’s as if she was sucker punched. “Oh really? You have a plan? I’m certain I’m not going to like this.” She places her hands on her hips, cocks her head to the side and stares him down, the Italian side of her heritage coming to the surface with a roar.

Chase’s lips are set into a grim line. “No, none of you are. Every single one of you are going to be relocated.” Collective gasps and grumbles start instantly. I stay silent letting Chase handle it. Nothing we’ve done so far has kept my friends safe. I’ll do anything to change that. “I’m going to request that each of you move into the Davis estate outside of town. It has large, high stone walls and the gate and property will be monitored and patrolled by armed guards day and night. Additional armed security teams will be positioned at all the doors going in and out.”

“You can’t be serious,” Phillip adds.

“Deadly serious, just like your girlfriend and unborn child,” Chase looks down at the hand that Phil has over Bree’s stomach, it tightens reflexively, “would be dead right now if the situation had played out differently.”

Oh, for Heaven’s sake. I could kill him myself for letting that cat out of the bag. All of the whispered chatter stops instantly. Phillip’s eyes narrow as he turns Bree toward him. “Unborn child? What is he talking about?”

Tears spring to Bree’s eyes and fall delicately down her cheeks. “I was going to tell you…”

“You’re pregnant?” he whispers. I feel like a heel with all of us around watching this play out. It should be a private moment between them. “How? When,” he asks clearly baffled as much as the rest of us were when Bree admitted it to us last week.

“The first time,” she croaks and he pulls her to his chest nuzzling her hair.

“My God, and you’ve been dealing with this alone. I’m so sorry, honey, so sorry,” He holds her against his chest as she cries. Tears form in his eyes but he tips his head back and blinks several times.

I turn on Chase and punch his bicep hard. “That was private! She wanted to tell him herself!” I chastise him in a hushed whisper.

Chase cups my cheeks. “I’m sorry, Baby, it just slipped out, but all of your friends need to take this seriously.” He kisses my lips and then hugs me close. “Every one of you will be assigned a bodyguard and driver. One to take you to and from wherever you need to go and back to the estate. It’s the only defense we have against this sociopath until he’s caught. The mansion has plenty of bedrooms, each with private bathrooms. There is a full-time staff that will see to all your needs, meals, laundry, etc.”

Carson holds Kat. “We’ll move in right away, sweetcheeks,” he says then kisses her neck.

“Yeah, whatever it takes.” Kat says reassuringly. Chase visibly relaxes with their agreement.

“And you two,” he gestures to Bree and Phillip.

Phillip’s hand is cupping Bree’s cheek. He sets his forehead against hers then his hand trails from her cheek, down her shoulder and over to her stomach. “Honey, we have to keep you and our baby safe,” he cradles her in his arms. She pulls up her knees to her chest, and he holds her while she cries.

“We’ll do as you ask. I don’t know when I’ll be released but Bree and my child’s safety are paramount. Fuck!” he practically roars and we all turn. “Where’s Anabelle?” His body stiffens and I can tell he’s moved too much.

“Relax, relax,” Chase says. “A security team has been watching your house, Anabelle’s school, and following your parents closely. Your daughter has been staying on and off with all of us during your recovery. I’ll have your parents and child moved to the mansion immediately.”

Phillip nods and relaxes. “Thank you, man. I mean, what you’re doing…” his voice is rough and full of emotion.

“We protect our family,” Chase says matter of fact. Their gazes meet and exchange some type of silent communication that women, me in particular find annoying.

Maria is the last one to be stared down by all of us. She’s standing stick straight with a visible chip on her shoulder. “Ria, I can’t let this monster hurt you,” I say with very little breath left. The crippling fear and panic is crawling through my body, squeezing all the air from my lungs. “Please…for me.”

She rolls her eyes and then her shoulders slump. “Cara Bonita, you know I’d do anything for you.” She pulls me into a tight hug.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, “ I say into her thick black hair.

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