Page 57 of Justice

She’s scared and it fucking kills me. I want to shelter her from all of this shit so she can be happy.

The fact that someone left her this package to scare her, to intimidate her, is more than I can fucking bear.

Her body is shaking as I hold her as tight as I dare, not wanting to hurt her.

I stroke her back, trying to soothe her trembling form. "Shh, it's okay. I've got you," I murmur, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "We're going to get through this, Elle. I promise you."

She lifts her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I'm trying to be strong, Christopher. But I'm so scared. For our baby, for you… I can't lose either of you."

My heart clenches at the raw vulnerability in her voice. I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away the tears that escape down her cheeks. "You won't, sweetheart. I will do everything in my power to make sure of that. This bastard isn't going to lay a finger on our family."

Elle nods, leaning into my touch. I can see the weariness in her eyes, the toll this constant state of fear is taking on her. I wish more than anything I could erase all of this, to go back to a time when our biggest worry was what color to paint the nursery.

But this is our reality now. And I'll be damned if I let this psychopath shatter the life we're building together.

I tuck Elle securely against my side, my hand splayed protectively over her rounded belly. "Try to get some rest, baby. I'll be right here, keeping watch. You're safe with me."

She burrows closer, her body molding to mine as she nestles her head in the crook of my neck. I feel her gradually relax, her breathing evening out as exhaustion pulls her under.

I lay awake, staring at the shadows dancing across the ceiling. My mind races with possibilities, trying to anticipate the killer's next move.

Morning comes, and I slip out of bed, careful not to disturb Elle's much-needed rest. I find Mason and Reid already in the kitchen, nursing cups of coffee and poring over the latest intel.

“How’s she doing?” Meadow asks from behind, almost making me jump out of my skin.

The guys laugh at me. “She’s sleeping still, but I’m worried about her. This stress is getting to her.”

Meadow sighs. “I can’t fathom how she’s feeling. She is so strong to be able to even carry on the way she is.”

“Did anyone find anything on the cameras?” I ask the guys.

Mason shakes his head. “No, it was just a normal USPS driver that delivered all of the mail, but this parcel had no return label.”

I sigh, hating this. I wish we’d catch a fucking break. “We need to make sure this doesn’t touch her anymore.”

There is a sound coming from the stairs and I walk over to meet Elle at the bottom. She is wearing a pair of sweatpants and a plaid shirt of mine.

“Good morning, angel, how are you feeling?” I ask her, running my hands down her arms, to her stomach, smiling when I feel Miracle moving around in there.

"I feel good, actually, though I’m really hungry.”

She laughs, and I lead her to the table. “I will make you something.”

“I actually already have breakfast ready,” Mason tells us, so I go to fix her a plate.

Everyone is hovering over her. We’re all worried about her, but she has a smile on her face and it reaches her eyes.

As I watch Elle eat her breakfast with gusto, a glimmer of hope flickers in my chest. Despite the horrors of the previous day, she's still here, still fighting. Her resilience never ceases to amaze me.

"This is delicious, Mason," Elle says between bites, flashing him a grateful smile. "Thank you."

Mason returns her smile, clearly pleased. "Anything for you, Elle. We've got to keep you and the little one well-fed."

I sit down next to her, trying to fight the urge to feed her myself. I know I’m a hovering bastard right now, but I feel like it’s the only thing I can control at the moment.

The fire in my stomach to keep her safe is burning me up inside, the rage to torture this fucker overwhelming.

I look to my brothers and they have the same look on their faces.

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