Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 61~

~Emily~

As we group huddled in the dimly lit hallway, the tension was palpable. I could barely contain the tremor in my voice as I recounted the night's harrowing events.

"Guys, it was Layne," I whispered, my eyes darting around the group, each face etched with concern. "He broke in while we were all asleep. He came for me and Brynlee."

Colby, his arm protectively around me, nodded solemnly. "We heard the noises, and I just knew something was wrong. We had to act fast."

Corey, cradling Aspen now, tried to offer a comforting smile. "You guys did what you had to do. Is everyone... is everyone okay?"

I glanced down at my feet, the image of the chaos that awaited them downstairs flashing in her mind. "There's a mess downstairs. Glass, blood... it's not pretty."

Devyn took a step forward. "But you managed to protect Brynlee and Blake? That's what matters."

Jake, his arm around Tara, looked around at the group. "We should probably check the damage, see if it's safe to stay here tonight."

Sam, quiet until now, chimed in with a note of urgency. "Let's clean up and stick together. We're stronger as a unit."

Katrina clutched her hands together. "I can't believe this is happening again, especially after what happened in the bunker, Em."

Isa got a worried look on her face. "What do you mean bunker?"

"Just before you moved in with us Isa, my dad took Emily while she still pregnant and some of his shit head pack members hurt her badly. Luckily Jake rescued her," Colby spoke. Unshed tears formed in Isa eyes, "oh my gosh Em, I'm so sorry."

I met my sister's gaze, a mixture of fear and determination in my eyes. "We've been through worse. We'll get through this, together."

As we descended the stairs to face the aftermath, their bond was the only certainty in the chaos that surrounded them. My heart raced, but I knew that together, we could face anything.

In the aftermath of the break-in, the house was a symphony of motion and quiet determination. My wrist was throbbing but stable thanks to Isa's quick assessment. Once she finished tending to my wrist, I worked alongside Colby in the bathroom.

"Keep still," I murmured, gently wiping the blood from Colby's skin that wasn't his own. "We'll get through this."

Colby nodded, his face grim. "I just keep thinking about what could've happened if we weren't quick enough."

We headed out to the living room once we were finished fixing up Colby's wounds. the sound of sweeping glass mingled with soft conversations. Jake and Tara had created a safe bubble of calm for Aspen and Blake, their laughter a balm amidst the chaos.

"Look at these little warriors," Tara cooed, bouncing Brynlee gently. "They're so brave, just like their mom."

Jake nodded, ruffling Blake's hair. "You're a tough kid, you know that?"

Blake managed a small smile. "I just want everyone to be okay."

Devyn and Corey were methodically picking up the shattered frames, saving what they could of the memories captured in photographs.

"We'll make new memories," Devyn said, trying to be upbeat. "Right, Corey?"

"Absolutely," Corey agreed. "We'll fill these frames again in no time."

Sam and Isa worked together, collecting the remnants of their once peaceful evening.

"Is Emily's wrist really, okay?" Sam asked, concern lacing his voice.

Isa nodded, her medical knowledge kicking in. "It's a bad sprain, but she'll recover. She's strong."

I walked over to her and hugged her. "thank you for doing that, Isa, I'll be better in no time."

She smiled as she rubbed my back. "it's no problem, Em."

~

As the night wore on and the house began to resemble its former self, exhaustion set in, and the rest of the roommates had retreated upstairs for some form of sleep.

But I couldn't rest, not yet. I sat on the couch, Aspen cradled in my arms and Blake curled up beside me, the weight of the night's events pressing down on me.

"I should've been more careful," I whispered to the quiet room, tears streaming down my face. "What if I hadn't been there for you two, for our family?"

The silence of the early morning was my only answer as the sun began to rise, casting a soft glow on the scene of a family that had survived the night together, with my children by side, allowed myself to feel the fear and relief wash over me in waves.

The soft creak of the stairs announced Sam's presence before I even saw him. I didn't lift my head, just continued to stroke Aspen's downy hair and Blake's warm little hand, both blissfully unaware of the chaos that had unfolded just hours before.

"You're one hell of a woman, Em," Sam said as he settled next to me, his voice a warm blanket in the cool aftermath of terror. "You and Colby, you're like... superheroes or something."

I managed a weak chuckle, feeling the sting of tears in my eyes again. "Superheroes who didn't see it coming," I murmured, my wrist throbbing in protest as I shifted Aspen slightly.

Sam's hand covered mine, a steady pressure. "You protected your kids. That's all that matters. And you did it all with a bum wrist," he added, nodding to the bandage.

I sighed, leaning into the couch, into the semblance of normalcy Sam's presence brought. "But what if next time we're not so lucky? What if..." My voice broke, the 'what ifs' a heavy chain around my heart.

"We'll make sure there is no next time," Sam said firmly. "We'll beef up security, set up wards, whatever it takes. Layne... he won't get near Aspen or Blake. Or you. or any of us."

The mention of Layne, the undercurrent of hate he harbored for my daughter, for me, sent a shiver down my spine.