Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

*Calista*

Ida stared at Quinn and I, waiting for some sort of explanation. Although, I wasn't sure what to tell her. That my crazy ex-boyfriend won't stop stalking me and attempting to break into Adrian's house to find me? I guess that's the truth, so I might as well spill the tea.

I explained the situation to Ida, starting from the moment I met Adrian. How Adrian saved me, twice already, and is probably planning on doing it again. I noticed the faint smile that snuck onto Ida's lips, but she quickly wiped it clean with a lick of her tongue. She nodded, taking it all in, better than most.

"Those boys will protect you two, I have no doubt." Ida commented, sipping her tea, more casually than I expected.

"I don't want to involve them with my problems." I grumbled, ashamed.

"Oh sweetie," Ida chuckled and shook her head, "They've already involved themselves. That's nothing you can help."

"What do you mean?" I asked, wondering what information she was withholding.

"Every single one of those boys has a mind of their own, it's ultimately their decision. Adrian made his mind up a long time ago, and the others just followed in pursuit. Strong-willed men can be diverted, Calista, but only for so long." She sighed, speaking from experience.

"Diverted?" I tilted my head, confused.

"They'll do what they want, regardless of what you say... But sometimes you can steer them in a different direction, for a short while." Ida stood at her feet, walking towards the sink and dumping her tea.

"I think this is serious, Cali... The guys were treating it like they were police officers, or something." Quinn stated, gulping.

"Yeah, because Ivan is making threats." I grunted.

"Those five boys are lethal, you girls should be worried about their enemies." Ida chuckled, shaking her head.

"They were in the Military." I added, helping to solve the puzzle on Quinn's face.

"That explains a lot..." Quinn nodded, biting her lip.

"Every last one of them had a special position in the Military, they're all considered Elites." Ida proudly educated us, reminiscing.

Before we could ask any more questions, all five men stumbled back into the kitchen. Adrian appeared despondent, his eyes never quite reaching mine. The others had the same grim expressions, and soon a sinking sensation had my heart plummeting. Ivan won't let me go without a fight, and that's not something I want to drag Adrian into. Regardless of how stubborn he can be, I have to do what's best for him.

"Adrian... I'm so sorry. I didn't think Ivan was going to go crazy like he did-" I started to apologize, but Adrian interrupted.

"I told you, I'd take care of it." Adrian winked, smirking for a brief moment, before his face naturally grimaced.

"We'll be back ladies, just got some running around to do." Christian added, smirking mischievously.

"Please, don't leave the house, okay?" Adrian begged me, his voice desperate and ragged.

"I won't." I agreed, afraid of what he was about to do.

"Where are you guys going?" Quinn asked, exactly what I was wondering.

"We're headed out." Christian intercepted the response, elbowing Adrian.

"Call me if you need anything." Adrian said and paused, "Actually, call this number, I need to grab a new phone."

Adrian quickly scribbled an unknown phone number on a piece of paper, before the five of them shuffled out the door. Ida shook her head, leaving the kitchen. Quinn stared at me with a look of horror. We both know this isn't going to end well.

I fell into a kitchen chair with a heavy sigh, burying my head into my palms. I felt the wave of tears starting to pass over me, and I wasn't about to deny passage. They flowed heavily from my eyes and cascaded down my face, dripping onto the table below. Quinn sat beside me, rubbing my back with her palm, trying to calm me down. I couldn't believe the mess Ivan was creating, and the fact that Adrian thinks he has to clean it up.

"I can't let those guys get in trouble because of me, Quinn." I confessed, clearing my face of tears.

"Ivan will only try to overpower you, honey, you know that." Quinn shook her head, not even willing to entertain the thought of me handling it on my own.

"Yeah..." I suppose the last time I tried, I ended up being attacked again.

"Adrian wants to help you, and so do his friends. Sometimes it's okay to accept help." Quinn smiled, hugging me.

"Not at the cost of someone getting hurt. Ivan has clearly lost his mind, and I worry about Adrian and his friends." I grumbled.

"Why haven't you gone to the police?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Because, they'll never believe me. They have ties to the police, so it's never been an option." I shrugged, feeling the helplessness consume me.

"That's right, you mentioned he has an uncle that's the chief of police, right?" Quinn grimly recalled.

"Yeah... That's probably not all." I grunted, rolling my eyes.

"Maybe there's a way we can help?" Quinn offered.

"How?"

"Well... I don't know yet, but I bet we could think of something!" Quinn said with hopeful eyes.

"Yeah, maybe?" I shrugged, losing hope.

I knew Adrian and his friends were leaving to deal with Ivan, but they weren't saying how. There was a dreadful sensation that was starting to build in my stomach, and all I could do was try to ignore it. Though I haven't known Adrian for very long, I already trust him implicitly. There's an automatic willingness when it comes to Adrian. I think I'd follow him anywhere.

It was approaching five o'clock, nearing dinner time, and the boys still hadn't returned. They'd been gone for an hour, which doesn't seem like long, but when you have a sadistic ex on the loose, it feels like a lifetime. I wasn't worried Ivan would hurt them, but what Ivan's family is capable of. I knew a little bit about them, and learned that they weren't anyone to piss off. So, now that I've stepped into that territory, I guess I'll find out for myself. However, the last thing I wanted was for Adrian to be part of this disaster.

Quinn, Ida, Walter, and I sat at the dining table eating dinner. It was delicious, roast with potatoes and a salad on the side. Everyone ate in silence, tension weighing heavily in the room. Quinn was staying for dinner, although I wasn't sure if she was staying the night again. I still had to ask her, which was the perfect question to break the silence.

"Are you staying the night again?" I asked, looking at Quinn with a brief smile.

"If you want me to, I will." She responded, and I could tell she wasn't ready to leave yet.

"It's nice having you here." I admitted, even though she snored loudly, I've enjoyed her company.

"I'd like to stay, until things settle down..." She said, offering a worried smile.

I noticed Ida and Walter shared a look after Quinn's comment, and I wondered what they weren't telling me. Before I had the chance to ask, several footsteps came trekking into the dining room and stole everyone's attention. It was Adrian and the others, they were back, and it appeared as though they were in fine condition. I wasn't expecting black eyes and bruises, but I also wasn't expecting them to appear innocent either.

"Dinner is in the kitchen, boys." Ida commented, cleaning up her dishes.

"Thank you, Ida." Adrian responded, his voice low and raspy, something that immediately caught my attention.

"How was your outing, boys?" Quinn asked with a broad smile, knowing she was putting them on the spot.

"Went great." Christian responded, he's always the one to have a quick retort.

"You accomplished what you aspired to?" Quinn asked again, arching an eyebrow.

"Mouthy little thing..." Christian grunted, while Dallas yanked him backwards.

"We always do, sugar." Dallas remarked with a smirk, charming Quinn.

"I'm going to wash up for dinner, I'll be back." Adrian said, leaving the dining room.

The others gathered plates of food and sat at the table immediately, shoveling the food into their mouths like starving animals! They were all big guys, muscular and tall, as well as strong-willed. Though they had those things in common, they were all unique and diverse.

Cooper was relaxed, outgoing, and friendly. Always with a pleasant smile on his face, complimenting his blue eyes and blonde hair. Teo had short black hair and was more reserved. He was covered in tattoos, from what I could tell, and his dark eyes told me he'd lived a rough life. Christian was the handsome man w***e, cocky, but probably because the ladies swooned over him. His thick light brown hair is always slicked back with gel, strong jawline, hazel eyes. He's too charismatic for his own good. Then there's Dallas, the one with the heart of gold. He's a wild one, with bright blue hair styled in a Mohawk, but has all good intentions.

Adrian returned minutes later, in jogging pants and a long sleeve shirt that was rolled up to his elbows. He joined us at the table, sipping wine and picking at his food. I could tell something was on his mind, and I'm willing to bet it has to do with Ivan. I know damn well what their little outing meant. I'm not stupid. They're having a pissing war, and I hope, like anything, it doesn't spiral further out of control.