#Chapter 24 - Eli’s Danger

Layla He was safe. Alive. Wrapped in my arms. Breathing, warm, little heart thudding against my palm. Alive, safe, here. “Eli. Eli.” Panic still clutched my throat in a brutal vice, choking out the sobs, the words built up in my chest. “I thought … I thought they …” My words came out in shattered, ragged fragments. Unformed thoughts broken by fear and relief. I couldn’t hold him tight enough, couldn’t reassure myself enough that everything would be all right. But was he all right? I pulled away, my hands roving over his tiny body to check for injuries, seeking out signs of blood, bruises, pain … “Are you all right? Did they hurt you?” Eli shook his head, his wide, frightened eyes meeting mine. “No, Mama. I’m okay.” I leaned in again, pressed a kiss to his forehead, only distantly aware of the way sobs wracked my chest. My tears leaked into his soft white-blond hair as I held him close. A warm hand fell on my shoulder. Steadying me. “He’s okay,” Aldo’s soft voi