Page 46 of Unbreakable

“I..I…I… there was a shooting… I don’t know...” she manages to get out between sobs, leaving me still very confused on what the hell is going on.

“Calm down babe, take a deep breath in, then out. I can’t understand what you’re trying to tell me. A shooting? Where, when, who?” I say getting all three of the important questions I need answered out at once.

I move her over to the couch and sit her down gently then drop down directly in front of her on the coffee table.

“Lu.. Lu..” she starts again, sobs wracking her whole body. “Luke is on his way here. I was closest to here. There was a shooting, Ryker and Ash… I don’t know if they’re okay.” she says leaning forward into me. I wrap my arms around her and rub my hands up and down her back, trying to soothe her.

We stay like that for awhile, without realizing how much time has passed, until I hear a knock at the door. I release Vee, who drops her face to her hands, and I stand, walking over to the front door. Opening it I see Luke, his eyes narrowing in on Vee on the couch, and moves past me to make his way over to her.

“Is she okay?” she cries out.

“Shhh babe, it’s okay. I’m sorry I had to cut the call like that, without you knowing everything. They were shot at. Ryker was hit, but he protected her. Ash is fine babe. Come on, I’m headed that way now and I’m goin’ to take you with me, okay?” he tells her as he helps her up.

“Thank you for bein’ here for her Arizona. I’m takin’ her to the hospital with me, then I’ll stay with her. Once she calms down and sees that Ash is okay I’m sure she will be callin’ you.” he tells me, as he rushes out the door with Vee in his arms.

Looking up, I see Knox headed up the stairs with a concerned look on his face at the state Vee is in. Luke nods a hello, mumbling what I assume to be the same as he passes by him.

“Is everything okay?” Concern masking his face as he makes his way over to me.

“Yeah, just an accident, but it seems everyone is okay. Want to come in?”

“Yeah baby, have you eaten? I have some leftover pizza in the apartment I can run and get.”

“That sounds delicious. Is it by any chance my favorite?”

“Well, it just so happens to be a Broccoli and Ricotta white pizza.”

“Knox you’re the best! Bring me that pizza now. I’m a hungry girl and you have what I want.” I tell him, doing a gimmie motion with my hands the entire time.

He turns and heads out the door in a jog and I laugh at his theatrics. I’m going to miss him so much when I leave.

Bending over to pick up the blanket from the floor where it dropped earlier when Vee woke me, I catch a glimpse at the clock and my heart drops. It’s fucking seven P.M. and I’m late as hell. I reach for my phone when I hear a knock at the door. Thinking Knox’s hands are either full or he doesn’t have his keys I move to the door, opening it.

“Why didn’t you just use your key?” I ask only to stop dead in my tracks at the person standing in front of me.

“Because I don’t have one. I also DO NOT appreciate when my sub is not where she’s supposed to be or answering her phone. Are you not going to ask me inside?” Draco asks, staring past me into my apartment, appearing to take in what he can, since I’ve never had him over.

“I’m sorry it’s just that something came up and I needed to help a friend and just realized what time it is. I was just about to call you.” I tell him, stepping to the side so he can come in, while anxiously looking across the hall at Knox’s apartment.

I need to get Draco the hell out of here!

“Why don’t you go back to your place and I’ll get my bag together and be over in just a little while?” I tell him nervously, bouncing from foot to foot.

“Is something wrong Lil’ Witch? You seem anxious.”

“No, I’m just ready to go to your place.” I lie.

“Well since I’m already here, grab your things and I’ll take you then bring you back in the morning. No back talking.” he says right as the front door flies open.

“Honey, I’m back and I have pizza!” Knox calls out before halting in his steps when he sees Draco.

“Professor Gallant, why are you here?” he asks, raising his eyebrow in curiosity.

“This is the emergency you had, a boy?” Draco sneers out at me, anger palpable in every word.

“What the hell, don’t talk to her that way!” Knox blurts out in defense.

“What we are discussing does not involve you. Arianna, tell me now what the hell is going on. You’re late without any contact. When I get here you say there is an emergency, only to have this boy saying he’s back and has food.” he states angrily, waving his hand in Knox’s direction.