Captivated Desires

26

I nodded "Willow baby, come to mama," I said gently.

Willow, who had been crying into Reign's chest, looked up at my voice. Her eyes were red and swollen from the tears, and she looked frightened. She extended her arms out to me, whimpering softly. 

"That's it, baby girl," I said gently as I rested her on my hip "Do you want to stay here and be with Josh?" I asked Reign.

Reign's jaw flexed as he considered the situation. Every nerve in his body was screaming at him to get me and the children as far away from danger as possible. But he knew I was looking to him for guidance. "No," he replied, his voice firm. "We're all going together. We need to get somewhere secure."

Reign's expression softened as he looked at Josh, who was still standing in front of the altar, visibly shaken and in shock. He knew I was right. As much as he wanted to prioritize the safety of his own family, he couldn't ignore the fact that Josh was also in danger. "You're right," he said, his voice grim. "But we need to be careful. We don't know who the shooter was or if they'll come back."

 He knew Azar, one of his most trusted men, could be relied upon to keep Josh safe. "I'll get Azar to watch over him. He'll protect him," Reign assured me.

The situation was chaotic and uncertain, with guests hurriedly evacuating the venue. I led the way, pushing through the crowd, with Levi and Lion in tow. Reign was right behind me, his grip on their hands firm yet gentle. 

As I approached the Land Rover, my heart was beating rapidly, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I held Willow close to my chest, trying to shield her from the fear and confusion surrounding her.

As we all reached the vehicle, Reign quickly ushered me and the children inside, his senses on high alert for any potential danger. He looked around, noting the presence of his men as they surrounded the car, creating a protective barrier.

With practised ease, Lion and Levi climbed into the car, knowing the routine well. They scrambled into their respective car seats, their eyes wide and fearful. Willow remained snuggled against me, her small body seeking comfort in my embrace.

Despite knowing it wasn't exactly the safest choice, I knew comforting Willow was paramount. I settled into the passenger seat, securing my seatbelt before holding her close, her small form resting against my chest. My lips brushed against her forehead, my kisses a gentle reassurance amidst the chaos.

My soothing touch and presence seemed to calm her somewhat, her sobs slowly subsiding into soft whimpers. She buried her face against my chest, seeking solace in my presence, her small arms wrapping around my neck.

Reign quickly got into the driver's seat, his focus now shifting to getting us all to safety. His eyes scanned the mirror, checking on the boys who were still visibly distressed. He started the engine, the rumble of the vehicle offering a momentary sense of security. As he began driving, he cast a quick glance at me, his gaze lingering on me and Willow nestled in my arms.

The usually confident and calm demeanour Reign was known for was replaced by a stern, determined expression. His focus was solely on the road ahead, his hands tight around the wheel, his mind racing with the events that had just unfolded.

As the car made its way through the streets, he periodically checked the mirrors, ensuring no one was following or tailing them. Despite the tense atmosphere, the silence in the car was thick, only broken by the occasional sobs from the children and whispers from me comforting Willow.

The journey seemed endless as the city lights flashed by outside the windows. Each passing moment heightened the sense of danger and uncertainty. Reign's mind was already racing, formulating a plan, making mental notes of the next steps to guarantee their safety.

"Don't go to the house, go to the secret villa," I told him quietly.

Reign's eyes widened slightly at my words, understanding the wisdom behind my suggestion. He nodded briskly, acknowledging my intuition. "You're right," he replied, his voice low. "We'll go to the villa. It's secluded and more secure."

Without any further hesitation, he made a quick turn, changing the route. The path to the secret villa was a longer one, but it offered the reassurance that they would be away from prying eyes and potential threats.

As I glanced back at the boys, I noticed that they had managed to fall asleep, their small bodies slumped over in their car seats, their chests slowly rising and falling with each breath. They looked peaceful and innocent, momentarily unaware of the danger that had just threatened them. Their exhaustion and fear had finally caught up with them, allowing them to find a temporary escape through sleep.

Willow stayed tucked against my chest, her small body snuggled close to my heart. Her eyes were still red from her tears, but the gentle caress of my lips on her forehead seemed to bring a sense of warmth and comfort. Her grip on me loosened slightly as she began to relax, her tiny fingers slowly unclenching and falling to her sides.

Her breathing grew slow and steady as she started to doze off, lulled by the soothing motion of the car and the rhythmic beating of my heart. The tension in the air seemed to subside a bit as Willow drifted off to sleep. The steady hum of the vehicle was a comforting sound, offering a brief respite from the chaos and fear that had enveloped our lives moments ago.

"Poor Josh," I said quietly.

Reign glanced at me, his expression solemn. The mention of Josh's name brought a pang of concern. "Yeah, he must be going through hell right now," he replied, his voice low. "But he'll be alright. He has our men with him, and they'll keep him safe."

He spoke with conviction and a hint of reassurance, though the worry etched on his face betrayed his inner thoughts. He knew deep down that Josh would need time to process what had happened, to come to terms with the fact that his soon-to-be wife had been snatched away in such a violent and unexpected manner.