Shattered Girl (Emmy)

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.

"I know you guys will always love and protect me, but to have your dad go to the lengths he did to keep me safe. I just never expected someone to do that for me." I said, my voice hitching a little.

"My 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 you feel up to it, we will show you what it is."

"That sounds like a plan to me," I said, climbing off Patrick's lap so he could get up. When I wobbled on my feet, Josh and Mike were right 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, returning with quilts, blankets, and pillows.

The 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 piled with my favorite breakfast, coffee, and orange juice.

On New Year's Eve morning, I woke up between Drew and Patrick and felt a 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 my surprise. I carefully climbed out from between Drew and Patrick, only causing a few grumbles but not waking either of them. I showered and dressed, then went downstairs in search of coffee.

Darren was in the kitchen, and when I walked in, he greeted me by handing me a cup of coffee already made the way I liked it.

"How did you know it was me coming downstairs and not one of the guys?" I asked curiously.

"Well, Miss Emmy, you do not thunder down the stairs like a herd of elephants."

"Good to know," I said, making a mental note to never start anything on the stairs, especially since the sound seemed to travel.

A few minutes later, Darren's statement was proven when a thundering commotion echoed down the hallway, followed by Drew, Mike, and Jake.

"Wow, you sound like a herd of elephants," I smirked. The guys just gave me confused looks before heading for the coffee and then joining me at the island. The others had joined us when Darren was plating up our breakfast. Once we had eaten, I looked around at the guys.

"So, since I'm feeling better, can I have my surprise today?" I watched the guys all grin at each other.

"Let me make a call, but I'm pretty sure we can do it," Patrick said, walking out of the kitchen with his phone to his ear. I jumped up, taking my plate and Patrick's to the sink, where Darren chased me away before I could rinse them.

I followed the others into the family room to wait for Patrick to come back, and I shrieked when Jake ran up behind me, scooping me into his arms and plopping down on the couch with me.

"Jake, be careful with her," Josh said, scowling at his twin.

"I didn't hurt you, did I, sweetheart?" Jake asked, turning me so I could sit on the couch next to him, and my legs were across his lap.

"Nope, I'm good, I promise," I told him. Then, when he was distracted, still arguing with his twin, I leaned forward and poked him in his ribs, causing him to squeal and the rest of the guys to laugh like hyenas.

"What did I miss?" Patrick asked, coming into the family room. He started laughing when he saw Jake trying to fight off my tickling fingers while he squirmed and giggled. After several minutes of torture, I decided to give Jake a break and turned to look at Patrick as Jake tried to get his breath back.

"So, do I get my surprise today?" I asked, doing my little happy dance while sitting down.

"Yes, you do, love. So here's the plan. If you're not dressed, go do that. Be back down here in fifteen minutes." He said, and the guys all jumped up and disappeared.noveldrama

The guys were back in record time and were hustling me out to the car, making me promise that when they asked, I would close my eyes so I could be surprised.