after they met her

sixteen

i v a n a

The early morning light filtered through the cabin's windows, casting a warm glow over the rustic interior.

Despite the cozy atmosphere, yesterdays tension still lingered in the air.

Gray was already up, his expression resolute as he made the decision that our vacation had come to an end. There would be no more chances taken. He announced that we were packing up and heading back to the mansion immediately.

We gathered our belongings in silence, the reality of the situation weighing heavily on me. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, and as we prepared to leave, I noticed the increased number of security guards patrolling the area.

Gray was taking no chances, and his determination to keep me safe was clear in every stern directive he issued.

The drive back to the mansion was uneventful.

It was silent and heavy.

I sat in the backseat between Logan and Asher, each of us lost in our thoughts. Gray was at the wheel, his jaw set in a hard line. Ahead of us and behind, black jeeps filled with bodyguards followed, a constant reminder of the threat that loomed over us.

I tried to stay awake, to keep my mind occupied and alert, but the rhythmic hum of the car and the emotional exhaustion from the past few days weighed heavily on me.

My eyelids grew heavy, and despite my efforts, I found myself drifting off.

Half-asleep, I felt my head droop forward, only to be gently repositioned onto a warm shoulder. The scent of Logan's cologne was faint but comforting.

I didn't fully wake, but hovered in a liminal state, aware of the muted conversation around me.

"She's cute when she sleeps," Matthew's voice murmured, sounding proud. "I'm impressed how quickly she's adjusted to all this."

Logan snorted softly. "Yeah, as cute as a stray puppy," he teased, but I could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against my cheek. Jokes on him, I thought drowsily.

The rest of their conversation was muffled, slipping in and out of my consciousness. I caught snippets here and there, but nothing concrete. Then Gray's voice cut through the haze, low and stern but with an undertone of affection.

"We'll keep her safe. I will keep all of us safe," he said, his tone brooking no argument. "I won't let anything else happen to this family."

The sincerity and resolve in Gray's voice wrapped around me like a protective blanket, drifting deeper into a deeper sleep.

When we finally arrived at the mansion, Ray was already waiting for us in the living room. He stood with an air of authority, his sharp eyes scanning each of us as we entered. Gray wasted no time, taking Ray aside to his office to discuss the new security measures.

Asher, Matthew, Logan, and I were left in the living room, feeling a bit out of place and unsure of what to do next.

Logan decided to start a movie to lighten the mood. He chose an action-packed film filled with guns, drugs, and explosions. As the movie played, my brothers seemed to get absorbed in the storyline, but I couldn't follow it.

The loud explosions and rapid-fire dialogue only heightened my anxiety, and I found myself feeling more disconnected than ever.

Just as I was beginning to feel overwhelmed, Gray appeared in the doorway, calling my name. "We need to go over the new rules," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.