Page 43 of Captive Bride

I eased open the closet door, wincing at the slight creak of the hinges. The space inside was cramped, filled with tiny clothes and stuffed animals. I cleared a spot on the floor, laying down a soft blanket before gently placing the twins side by side.

Another crash from outside made me jump. It sounded closer this time. My heart hammered in my chest as I squeezed myself into the closet, pulling the door closed behind me. In the darkness, I fumbled for my phone, cursing silently when I realized I'd left it in the kitchen.

Fuck.

I huddled in the darkness of the closet, my body curled protectively around my sleeping twins. Every muscle in my body was taut, straining to hear what was happening beyond the nursery door. The muffled sounds of struggle had faded, replaced by an eerie silence that was somehow worse.

My mind raced, trying to piece together what had just happened. Amber, our seemingly friendly neighbor, had turned on us in an instant. The image of the knife in her hand flashed before my eyes, making my stomach churn. Carmen, my sister, my protector, had been hurt. And Kieran...God, I hoped he was okay.

But Tristan was still in a wheelchair. And Tristan was the one person I knew our past would eventually come for no matter what.

A soft whimper from Catherine pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. I gently shushed her, my hand rubbing soothing circles on her tiny back. "It's okay, baby girl," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Mommy's got you."

I held my breath as footsteps approached the nursery door. My arms tightened instinctively around Catherine and Matteo. The doorknob rattled, followed by a frustrated grunt from the other side.

"Adriana," Amber's sickeningly sweet voice called out. "Come on out, darling. No need to make this difficult."

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure she could hear it through the door. I pressed myself further back into the closet, willing the babies to stay quiet.

A loud thud shook the door. Then another. She was trying to break it down.

The twins woke, startled. They started to wail.

I clamped my hand over their mouths, trying to muffle their cries. Tears stung my eyes as I whispered desperate apologies. The pounding at the door intensified.

"I hear those little ones," Amber called out, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Why don't you come out and we can talk about this?"

My mind raced. There was no way out of this closet except through the nursery. And Amber was between us and any hope of escape.

The door splintered with a sickening crack. I heard Amber's footsteps enter the room, slow and deliberate.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," she sing-songed.

I closed my eyes, pressing my lips to my babies' foreheads. If this was it, I wanted their last moments to be filled with love, not fear. I would run at her, I would fucking kill her, even if it cost me my life. No one was going to touch my babies.

Suddenly, a new voice cut through the tension.

"Step away from the closet, Amber."

Kieran. My heart leapt with hope.

I held my breath, straining to hear what was happening beyond the closet door. The twins squirmed against me, sensing my tension.

"Well, well," Amber's voice dripped with disdain. "If it isn't the knight in shining armor. Come to save the damsel in distress, Kieran?"

"Put the knife down," Kieran growled. "This ends now."

A harsh laugh cut through the air. "Oh, it's ending alright. But not how you think."

The sound of a scuffle erupted, punctuated by grunts and the crash of furniture. I cradled the babies closer, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst from my chest.

The door of the closet was opened by Amber. It was all a blur; first, she was in front of me, and then Kieran, who’d been on the floor only a second ago, was pulling her back by the hair, Amber's eyes flashed with rage as Kieran yanked her away from the closet. She lashed out, her knife slicing through the air. I gasped, clutching the twins tighter to my chest.

Kieran dodged the blade, his movements fluid and practiced. In one swift motion, he grabbed Amber's wrist, twisting it until she cried out in pain. The knife clattered to the floor.

But Amber wasn't done. She threw her head back, connecting with Kieran's face. He stumbled, loosening his grip just enough for her to break free.

She lunged for the knife, but Kieran was faster. He tackled her to the ground, pinning her arms behind her back.

---