Page 17 of An Unexpected Everything
My fingers dug into the cement, my breath coming in ragged pants.
“Isabella? What the fuck?”
Aston was there, his hand reaching out to touch my shoulder. I flinched away from him, and his eyes widened.
“Isabella. Are you okay?”
I nodded as tears slid down my cheeks, and I realized that no, I wasn’t okay.
And I wasn’t going to be okay anytime soon.
Chapter Five
ISABELLA
Palms damp,chest aching, I pulled away from my brother, not quite sure which one was holding me at the moment. My head whirled, and I sucked in deep breaths far too quickly. My vision grayed again, and someone kept talking to me. Telling me to breathe at a different rhythm. To calm. But all I could do was feel the hand on my chest, tearing out my heart. Couldn’t they hear that siren? Feel the pressure on their chest like I did?
“Isabella. Are you hurt? Talk to me.”
I blinked, finally hearing the bite in Aston’s tone. I had never heard him speak that way. Yes, I knew he could. After all, he dealt with a multi-billion-dollar business every day and had to worry about people trying to take over and take advantage of him. I knew he had probably spoken to our father’s lawyer in that same tone after we had left, as well as his own mother. And maybe countless others.
But never so icy toward me. Even though I knew it had nothing to do with me, I still flinched.
Aston immediately took a step back and looked me over. “Talk to me. What did the police say?”
We were in one of the many various empty offices they had on the eighth floor of the main building. This is where peoplewho wanted to work remotely, and didn’t want a full office, or anyone working for a short period of time, or just visiting would work. It was empty for now, and the best place according to the others for us to regroup.
The police had come and gone, as had the paramedics. I hadn’t needed them, thankfully. But my heart rate was still racing. I hadn’t even realized that Aston had been the one holding me as I shook in his arms. The only reason my best friend wasn’t here was because Blakely was out on a call. I had a feeling that nobody had told her or she would have broken through the police tape to get to me. I knew that Aston hadn’t told her because he was worried that whoever had attacked me was still in the area.
He was protecting Blakely, and for that I was thankful. Because I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if Blakely got hurt because of me.
Because it could have been me. All of this could be my fault. Right?
“They don’t know the guy, but they have him in custody. He just wanted to get my purse.” I swallowed hard, my throat dry. Aston immediately handed over a bottle of water, and I was appreciative. I sank down on the couch, wondering why we needed such a large office for guests. Then again, I was grateful for it.
“You didn’t know him?” Flynn asked before shaking his head. “Of course you don’t. I’m so fucking sorry, Isabella. I’m just glad we caught the guy. But, sister mine? You’re pale as a ghost. You should have let the paramedics take a look at you.” My brother had held on to me for a moment when we had been in the parking garage, before he had run after whoever had attacked me. I wasn’t sure I was ever going to be able to get past the sight of my brother in an expensive suit and shoes running down a darkened parking garage and right into danger. And I knewAston would have been right along with him if he hadn’t stayed with me.
I had grown up with Kyler. But he was my baby brother. He always tried to protect me now, but I had never had a group of men so overprotective and growly, it was a little disconcerting. And if I was in my true element, not stressing out, I would probably resent it. But part of me was so confused about this odd nature, that I was letting it happen.
“I’m fine,” I lied, and when my brothers looked at each other and then at me, I realized that I wasn’t lying very well.
“You’ve had a panic attack, Isabella,” Aston whispered. “And while it was understandable, you didn’t let the medics take a look at you, and from the dark circles under your eyes, your sleeping hasn’t gotten any better since you went to Cage Lake to get fresh air.”
I ran my hands over my face and knew I should tell them what I had already told the cops. “Did Blakely tell you?” I asked, uneasy. Blakely and Aston told each other everything. I knew that. But I wasn’t sure how I felt about my best friend telling Aston something so personal. So traumatic.
He shook his head, and relief filled me. “No.” Then he let out a breath and continued. “But before I met all of you truly and got to know you, I did a background check.”
I stood up quickly, wobbly on my heels. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’m serious.”
“Aston,” Flynn muttered.
Aston didn’t look the least chagrined, but did hold my shoulders as my heart threatened to beat out of its chest again. “And as you can tell, I didn’t share with everyone else. I’m the only one who saw anything. And I didn’t go beyond public records. But for all I knew, you were vicious harpies like my mother. Rather than the people that I’ve come to know. All of that information is burned by the way. Nobody else can find it.And I don’t know the details, Isabella. I only know from the initial report.”
I sank back into the couch, chugging my water. Flynn’s shoulders dropped as Aston just stood there, ready for me to yell at him. I looked at Flynn, knowing he was confused. “A few years ago I was attacked by a man named William.”
“Isabella, I’m so sorry. You don’t have to tell us details.”
