Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter 175

I came awake in panic, having no idea where I was. Everything hurt, and I could hear voices, but they sounded far away. I let out a whimper as I tried to move my body, screaming in pain. There was a commotion nearby, and my guys suddenly surrounded me. As soon as they came into focus, I began sobbing. The guys seemed to move as one, and I was gathered into someone's arms as they crowded around me.

I was in Jake's lap as he murmured into my ear that everything was okay, I was safe, and the guy who took me had been taken care of. It felt like ages before I calmed down enough to understand what they told me. The threatening messages came from the man my dad had worked for. My dad sold me to him at some point, and this guy had sent his underlings to bring me back.

Patrick had been having Jamie and some of his other men shadow me, and when I was taken, Jamie went for Patrick while he sent his other men to follow us. Jamie and Patrick caught up to the car and pushed it off the road. Patrick rescued me and brought me to the family doctor while Jamie and his men took care of my kidnapper.

Patrick called the guys, and they met us at a safe house with the doctor working for Patrick's family. I had a concussion, of course, and quite a few bruises and scrapes from the accident. As Patrick explained what had happened while I was unconscious, the rest of the guys took turns holding me and giving reassurances that they were not going to let me out of their sight anytime soon and that I was safe.

At some point, Drew and Mike disappeared, returning with sandwiches, bags of chips, and sodas for everyone. I was in no mood to eat and just picked at my food. Patrick left the room for a few minutes when his phone rang, and when he returned, his whole demeanor had changed.

"Want some good news for a change, love?" He asked, waiting for my answer.

I gave him an affirmative nod, and he continued, "That was my dad, Connor. He called to assure me that our problem had been taken care of. He has put word out that you will soon be a member of his family, and he will be very upset if anything happens to you. You, love, are about to be the safest person in the state." He said, chuckling.

All I could do was stare at him for several minutes, and I'm blaming my concussion for what happened next because I burst into tears again. Patrick moved instantly, plucking me out of Josh's lap and sitting with me, murmuring into my ear. When I calmed down for the second time, I tried to explain why I had started crying again.

will always love and protect me, but to have your dad go to the lengths he did to keep me safe. I just

parents consider you the daughter they never had love; they would do anything for you," Patrick reassured me. Now, I'm going to make you a cup of tea, and I want you to take a rest. We are going to spend the night here, and if you feel up to it tomorrow, we will head home. We were able to move your surprise around, so when

there helping me get back into bed. The bed was only big enough for two, so while Mike got to cuddle with me first, the others filed out,

evening was spent napping while the guys watched TV. The following day, they bundled me into the car, and we headed home. Darren met us at the door and fussed over me while the guys got me settled in my room. He returned a few minutes later with a tray

lot better. The effects of the concussion were almost completely gone, except the headache, which would return when I got too tired. I hoped I had recovered enough for the guys to show me

by handing me a cup of coffee already

coming downstairs and not one of the guys?" I

down the

a mental note to never start anything on the stairs, especially since the sound seemed to

a thundering commotion

for the coffee and then joining me at the island.

my surprise today?" I watched the guys all

Patrick said, walking out of the kitchen with his phone to his ear. I jumped

the family room to wait for Patrick to come back, and I shrieked when

Josh