#Chapter 45-Trusting Any Men

“Sorry about that,” I murmur as my hand finds my chest. I’m breathing heavily, and I’m starting to worry I’m going to have a full-blown panic attack. Derek puts his hand on my arm, looking down into my eyes. “Nothing to be sorry about, Esme.” “He was following me and came here to antagonize me. The girls…” I abruptly stop talking. “What?” “The girls,” I emphasize, quickly running toward their room. “Going to need a bit more information?” “The girls were with me when he was at the door. I told them to hide!” As we turn in the doorway, Bea and Tris are coming out of hiding under one of the beds. A huge wave of relief slithers through me. “Thank God.” “Are you two okay?” Derek asks as he gets on his knees to hug his daughters. “Is that man gone?” Tris whimpers, her bottom lip popping out in fear. As Derek holds them, I feel a deep guilt. I’m the reason that they feel so scared in their own