Chapter 176 Holding Her Close

Chapter 176 Holding Her Close
Sade

As her sobbing settled down and she seemed a bit calmer, I pulled back and looked down at her tear-stained face. I kissed her forehead and then went into the bathroom. I started the tub and added her favorite bubble bath. I lit some candles to keep it calm and easy in here. I set up my phone to play soft instrumental music in the background. 

Then when it was almost ready, I went to her and took her hand. I pulled her by the hand into the bathroom. Then I helped her undress, just watching her face to make sure she was doing okay. She just quietly watched me. Then I undressed, and she said nothing, merely watched me. 

Once we were both naked, I took her hand and led her to the tub and got both of us in. I sat and pulled her down into my lap so I could wrap my arms around her. I had loved this tub when I’d seen it while looking at the house. It was almost a mini jacuzzi and was easily big enough for both of us to be in here comfortably. 

I was extremely pleased when she just leaned back into me and seemed to relax some. I just caressed her arms, not saying anything, just letting her be relaxed. I hoped that she would start to talk to me without me prompting her, so I waited. I picked up the loofah and added some of her favorite body wash to it. I slowly started to wash her arms, making sure to gently massage as I moved. 

I had moved up her arms and across her chest, and was washing her back when she finally started to talk, “I didn’t know what was happening at first. I was just suddenly tackled from the side. I can’t honestly even tell you what I did. I was just suddenly up and facing him. He had a gun, but I just moved and attacked before he could do anything. I could hear the kids screaming, and I just knew I had to protect them. The next thing I know, I have the gun, and his nose is bleeding. He’s looking at me with so much hate.” 

She paused, but I didn’t rush her. “I pointed the gun at him and told him not to move, or I would shoot. He just called me a stupid Russo bitch and said we all deserved to die. Then he reached behind his back, and he pulled out a really big knife. When he lunged, I pulled the trigger twice, and I hit him in the chest. He paused, and then he crumbled to the ground. I had some strange flash of a body lying face down in the snow with a bunch of blood, but then it was gone, and I have no clue what that could have possibly been. I waited and watched, making sure he wouldn't get back up. I was afraid to turn my back on him. Finally, I realized he was really down, and I went to the kids.” 

She took a deep breath and let it out,” I knelt down beside the stroller after I put the gun in my back waistband, and I comforted them, and asked Ms. Denison to call 911. Then, when she handed me her phone because the operator wanted to speak to me, I handed her mine and told her to call you.” 

I absorbed what she was telling me. So, it had been because of the Russo name that she was attacked. He didn’t use my name, or hers, but rather just Russo. How they knew she was attached to us will bear investigating, no doubt. The other thing is I’m reeling from that flashback she had. Of course she’s remembering when she shot me twice in the chest, and I fell down in the snow pretending to be dead. Now I had to figure out how to take care of this. 

I dropped the loofa and hugged her tightly to me. “I am so incredibly proud of you. You protected our kids. You were so strong. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect all of you, but you did so amazing, sweetheart.” 

I felt her let out a huge breath, so maybe she was worried about what I would think, which is absolutely absurd. “You have had training, and this is exactly why. We always wanted you to be able to take care of yourself, so you have been trained in hand-to-hand combat and weapons.” 

She nodded a bit. “Is there a particular reason why I would be in danger and think I needed that?” 

“Our family is very powerful, well known, well connected, and often a target because of that. I explained some of that when you had asked me about the security around the property. I hadn’t thought it would reach the point right now where I had to think of you having a bodyguard when you leave the property, but I am thinking now it might be a good idea. We can talk more about that.” She just nodded. 

I thought she might start asking me more questions. I could see her mulling over things in her head, so I just waited. She didn’t say anything, though. As I watched her, I picked up the loofa and started to wash her again. I spent some time caressing her bump that was starting to announce the presence of our baby. 

“Are you having any cramping or anything?” She shook her head. 

“The paramedics asked me about that. They asked me if I was pregnant, and when I said yes, they asked about that, but I haven’t had any issues with anything.” I nodded. 

She turned just a bit and leaned her head back so she was looking up at me. I turned and looked right into her eyes. Then she surprised me by leaning her head up and kissing me. I immediately kissed her back, then cupped her face and deepened it. She’d never once initiated a kiss with me until now, and my heart felt like it would explode. 

I pulled her tight up against me. Then I turned her so I could basically wrap my whole body around her and pull her as tight to me as possible. Once more, she could have been taken from me. I needed to feel her in my arms, and know that she was safe. 

That night, I was rather insatiable, making love to her and holding her close all night. I couldn’t quit touching her, even when I wasn’t buried inside of her. I needed to feel her, just like I always did. She was the other half of my soul, and I wouldn’t be human without her. I couldn’t survive without her. Finally, it seemed like she was getting there with me.