However, I did make sure the doctor didn’t mention anything to my family. It wasn’t the right time to tell them about the babies. I wanted that moment to be joyous, not while we were in a hospital.
While Ethan was with the doctor, I talked to the FBI and told them everything that had happened, from being kidnapped at the Wilmington house to when they arrived on the scene. The investigation was well underway, and I was curious to see what would be found. Brooklyn assured Ethan he wouldn’t be charged for killing Caden; it was self-defense. The same thing went for Wren.
We were only at the hospital for a couple of hours before the doctor discharged Ethan. Luckily, my parents had rented a house when they arrived in Louisiana, just to be prepared to stay a while. They didn’t know what was going on with me and Ethan or what was going to happen when we were found. All they knew was that we were in trouble, and they would do whatever possible to find us.
Ethan’s parents had arrived a couple of hours ago while Camden and Ripp were on a plane, set to be here in a couple of hours. Our secrets were out. They all knew everything that had happened over the past few months, minus a few gory details. Needless to say, they were infuriated that we kept it all a secret, but they understood it was because we wanted to protect them. We were told never to keep them in the dark again. Sadly, we all knew that this wasn’t over. Nikolai Michelson was making his rounds, and he wasn’t going to stop.
But now, we had help.
Brooklyn and her team were going to dig deep to see if they could end the Michelson family once and for all. It brought me hope, but if they hadn’t been taken down yet, I had a feeling it wouldn’t be anytime soon.
My dad came over to the couch and draped his arm over my shoulder. I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes.
“Why don’t you go to bed?” he murmured, his voice low and calm. “I’m sure Ethan will join you as soon as he’s done talking to the FBI.”
The sun had started to rise, and I was exhausted. None of us had slept. Ethan was outside with his parents, Brooklyn, and several other agents. We’d all been so busy that I’d barely even spoken to Ethan since we left the hospital.
“I will in a minute,” I said, yawning. I wasn’t about to sleep without Ethan next to me.
My gaze shifted over to Wren, who was across the room talking to my mother. I couldn’t help but smile at how enamored she was being around my mom and discussing fighting techniques. You wouldn’t think that we were all fighting for our lives just a few hours earlier. I hadn’t talked to her yet about her plans, but I was hoping she’d return to California with us. With her fighting skills, I knew she could become one of the best female fighters in the circuit. And what better way to compete than with the infamous Gabriella Reynolds as her coach?
“Dad?” I spoke.
He rubbed a hand soothingly down my arm. “Yeah?”
“Wren is an amazing fighter. Do you think you and mom could train her? She’s had a hard life and has no family other than a foster brother. I want to see something good happen for her.”
My dad squeezed my shoulder. “I’m sure we can make that work.” Once back in California, I was going to help her get the life she deserved.
Several minutes later, the door opened and Ethan walked in, followed by his parents and Brooklyn. My pulse skyrocketed and I jumped to my feet, hurrying over to him as fast as I could. He pulled me into his arms, and I pressed my face against his chest.
“It’s done. I told them everything I could,” he said, kissing the top of my head.
“You two need to get some rest,” Brooklyn advised, placing a hand on my back. “It’s going to be a media circus when word gets out.”
I had no doubt that if I had my phone, it would buzz like crazy. So maybe it was a good thing it was gone.
“I need to call my agent,” I said, glancing at Brooklyn from the corner of my eye. I didn’t want to let Ethan go. “She’s probably worried sick.”
“I’ll call her,” my mother offered. “I’ve already contacted the lady you rented the Wilmington house from too. Your rental car was still there, so I also got that taken care of. You two just get some sleep.”
Ethan rubbed his hands over my back. “Come on. I haven’t slept since we were drugged.”
We said our goodnights to everyone even though it was morning. Slowly, we made our way upstairs and into one of the empty bedrooms. The comforter was already pulled back, and I slipped under the sheets. Ethan climbed in next to me, grunting in pain. I didn’t want to hurt his wounds, but he refused not to hold me. His body was warm, and I felt my muscles instantly relax.
As I breathed him in, I closed my eyes. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if I lost you.”
His body tensed. “It’s a good thing we don’t have to find out. But Icantell you this . . . I was going to kill them all to get to you.”
“What are we going to do now?”
Ethan touched my chin, gently lifting it so I could look at him. His crystal blue eyes stared into mine. “Weare going to go on with our lives. Just you and me.” His lips pulled back, and he placed a hand on my stomach. “And our twins. When do you want to tell everyone?”
“Soon,” I replied. “I think I have a good idea.”
He kissed the tip of my nose. “Can’t wait to hear it.”
CHAPTER33