Page 60 of Push My Buttons
Jace notices my reaction immediately. "What is it?" he asks, his voice tight with concern.
I point to the counter, my hands shaking too much to sign properly.
"The flowers were there," Theo interprets, understanding dawning in his eyes. "And now they're gone."
Jace's expression hardens. "Stay here," he says, already moving past me into the apartment. "Both of you."
Theo pulls me back against his chest, his arms wrapping around me protectively as Jace methodically checks each room, opening closets, looking under the bed, checking the bathroom. The thoroughness of his search should be comforting, but all I can think about is someone being here, removing the evidence of their intrusion, playing with me like a cat with a mouse.
"Clear," Jace says finally, returning to the living room. His face is grim. "But someone was definitely here. Recently."
"How can you tell?" Theo asks.
"The window in the bedroom is unlocked," Jace replies. "And there's a scuff mark on the sill that looks fresh. Fire escape access."
My stomach drops. I always keep that window locked. Always.
"I need to go out for a bit," Jace says, his voice carefully controlled. "Get some supplies. Will you be okay with Theo for a little while?"
I nod, though the thought of either of them leaving makes anxiety flutter in my chest.
"I won't be long," he promises, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Lock the door behind me. Don't open it for anyone but me."
After he leaves, Theo helps me settle back into my own apartment, a strange experience after avoiding it for days. He moves with careful efficiency, checking locks, testing windows, familiarizing himself with the layout. I watch him, drawing comfort from his presence even as my eyes keep darting to the empty counter where the flowers had been.
"Hey," he says softly, catching my nervous glance. "Come here."
He pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly, burying my face against his chest. His heartbeat is steady under my ear, a rhythmic reminder that I'm not alone anymore.
"We've got this," he murmurs into my hair. "You've got this. You're stronger than you know, Wren."
I pull back just enough to sign slowly, my fingers and hands forming the words clearly so he can understand, his knowledge of sign language still being limited,"How can you be so sure?"
His smile is gentle but fierce. "Because I've seen you. The real you. Not just the barista or the cam girl or the sniper. The woman who survived what should have broken her. The woman who built a new life from scratch. The woman who faces her fears even when she's terrified." He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "That's not just strength. That's fucking superpower territory."
A knock at the door makes me jump. Theo immediately positions himself between me and the entrance.
"It's me," Jace calls through the door.
Theo checks the peephole before opening it. Jace enters carrying several bags, his expression determined.
"First things first," he says, pulling out what looks like a heavy-duty metal bar from one of the bags. "New lock. State of the art. No one's getting through this."
I watch as he installs it, the new lock sliding into place with a satisfying click that makes me feel marginally safer.
When he finishes, he turns to me, his expression softening. "I made a call while I was out," he says carefully. "To Dr. Levine. She had a cancellation tomorrow morning. If you want, I can take you."
I hesitate, anxiety twisting in my stomach at the thought of therapy, of trying to explain what I can't remember, of facing the trauma I've been running from.
But then I look at these two men—Jace with his quiet strength, Theo with his unwavering belief in me—and something shifts inside me. Maybe it's time to face whatever's in the darkness of my memory, with them beside me.
I raise my hands and sign,"Yes. I'll go."
Relief washes over Jace's face. "I'll be with you the whole time," he promises. "Whatever you need."
"And I'll be here when you get back," Theo adds. "We're tag-teaming this support thing."
Their easy coordination, the way they complement each other in their care for me, makes my heart swell. Whatever this is between us—this strange, beautiful triangle we're forming—it feels right in a way I never expected.
