The Age of The Masrui

“Would he be in hysterics so bad from a breakup? Somethings happened... we need to be prepared for anything.”

---

“You shouldn’t have taken a bullet for me.”

“You’re not okay, you nearly died. I almost lost you.”

---

Bella got out alongside him, wandering inside after a moment.

“They’ve been broken in to...” Bella murmured in shock as she walked around.

Astrid got to her feet, wrapping her arm around her stomach as she headed downstairs with him.

---

“It was too close a call... we’ve been lax with security again”

“I’ve not felt the baby move since I woke up.” Astrid whispered as Bella crossed the room to her, pulling her into a hug.

“You were there that day when I passed out at the manor, remember? The summer I was pregnant with Rhys, it was far too hot and I fainted on the stairs and went the whole way down. Rhys is just fine mm? He has an attitude but he’s just fine. Your baby will be too.” Bella soothed quietly as she placed a hand on her back to usher her out.

---

Maddox fell silent then, brushing his fingers through her hair as he held her close.

“My mother’s put the kids to bed, they’re none the wiser we haven’t gone home. Don’t worry about them.”

---

“Did you guys see any faces or anything?” Bella asked quietly once everyone was in.

“Dragged us out of bed with masks on, didn’t see a thing...”

“I’m completely fine, don’t worry about me.”

---

“Your dad is on his way, Astrid. He’ll meet us there.”

Astrid didn’t reply, putting her head against the window and flinching at the pain, bringing herself back centre and just wrapping her arms around herself.

“Of course, I won’t leave you. Promise.”

---

Astrid gripped his hand tightly, trying to stop her own shaking.

Bella nodded, heading inside with Astrid and Reid quietly. Within seconds of them entering, Altair fell into step beside them, pulling Astrid to him in a hug, asking a thousand questions and not even giving her time to answer as he checked her over, apologising whenever she flinched or shirked away.

“Maddox and his wife must be here too…” Bella murmured when she caught sight of Dorian in the waiting room.

“I want my daughter seen to now!” Altair began shouting then, attracting the doctors attention. “Why has she not been seen yet?! The amount of funding this hospital gets will go if she doesn’t get attention right now!”

“Dad don’t cause a scene.” Astrid grimaced, pulling from his hold and returning to Reid’s side.

Around an hour later...

“Once Reid is all patched up, Astrid’s all done for him to go see her.” Bella passed Ronan a drink as she met him outside the room Reid was being seen in. “She asked Altair to leave, he’s conducting a security review over the entire situation to see if it’s linked... physically she’ll mend but she’s not okay. I imagine Reid isn’t doing much better?” She asked quietly. “Maddox is still here with his wife and her brother, there’s enough security covering the place now so they’re safe...”

“Good job we have therapists on speed dial for them both mm?” Bella sighed deeply. “I don’t know what happened tonight but it’s not good. There’s enough spare rooms in our place… maybe we should let them move in for a while? We can keep an eye on them then.”

“This is gonna trigger off some... intense PTSD for them isn’t it?”

“Let’s hope they can pull themselves together before then…”