Page 41 of Deadly Desires

The gunshot rings out close to my head, and my ears start to ring. Opening my eyes, I take in the scene before me. Kayden has a knife buried in Damian’s side, and James has secured both guns from his grasp. How they moved so fast is beyond me, but I’m just grateful I’m still alive.

“Search him for a key,” I tell Kayden. Searching him, Kayden finally finds a set of keys in his front pocket and hands them to me.

“Go get Melody, Jax. We have it covered.”

Turning back toward the door, I hear James and Kayden laying punches into the guy. I’ll let them have their fun before I get my turn. Part of me is wondering what happened to Franklin and why he didn’t alert us, but right now Melody is my top concern.

Trying each key, I start to get frustrated that none of them are working. Finally, I get to the last key and hope blossoms in my chest as the lock turns.

Opening the door, all I see is darkness. Unsure where the light switch is, I squint my eyes and just barely make out someone huddled deep in a corner in the room. Trepidation fills me as I wonder if it’s Melody and if she’s alive. Reaching a hand out along the wall, I finally find the light switch and flip it on.

The sight before me has me shocked to my very core. My little sparrow huddles in a corner, face buried in her knees. Her body is riddled with bruises and slashes. Her back is split open in various spots as though she was whipped within an inch of her life. My jaw clenches and I shake with barely controlled rage. As I step further in the room, I see Melody start to tense up and huddle even further into herself.

“Little sparrow…” I say, coaxing her to look at me. I walk slowly towards her, not wanting to startle her.

“Little sparrow, look at me.”

She turns her head to the side and her eyes widen. She drops her arms from around her knees. “Jaxon? But how?”

“Shhh, I’m here now, baby.”

“But he said you died, he said he heard your screams… You burned to death…”

“He lied, little sparrow, I’m right here.” I crouch down and reach out a hand to comfort her, but my hand just hovers. I’m unsure where to touch her without causing her more pain.

Her voice catches on a sob and next thing I know she’s throwing her arms around me. I’m careful not to touch her back so I simply hold her head to me. She lets everything out and all I can do is hold her as she cries and shakes with all her pent up adrenaline.

Pulling her arms from around me, I grab her face as gently as I possibly can.

“My little sparrow, you’re safe now. I’ve got you.” I kiss her forehead tenderly and grab her hand to pull her up. She hisses through her teeth in pain, and I immediately let go of her hand. Looking down, I turn her hand in mine and finally see the stab wound. That motherfucker.

“Fuck, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t see it.”

“It’s ok, Jax. I know you didn’t mean to.”

Taking off my button down shirt, I hand it over to her so she can put it on. As she does, I notice the pearl necklace around her neck. “Melody, do you want that necklace on you?”

When she shakes her head no, I move behind her to take it off and then throw them on the ground.

Next, I take off my jeans and briefs, handing her the briefs so she can put them on. Once I help her into the briefs, I put my jeans back on and I lead her from the room.

The scene before me fills me with renewed rage, and I’m ready to kill.

Thirty-One

Melody

Isee, as well as feel, Jaxon trembling with rage. James and Kayden are holding Damian up with each arm behind his back. He smiles up at me with blood coating his teeth. Blood drips from his hands; looks like the brothers had some fun cutting off a few fingers.

“Hello, my sweet Melody. Miss me already?”

“Don’t you dare talk to her,” Jaxon growls before landing a punch in Damian’s gut. He doubles over but not before the brothers are lifting him back up.

They hold him as Jax lays into him, punching every possible part of his upper body. When Damian slumps forward again Jax grabs his hair and forces him to look up at him.

“Thought you’d get off that easy, huh? You think this is all we got… We are just getting started you piece of shit!”

I flinch with every hit that lands on him, not because I sympathize with him, but because I’ve grown accustomed to being hit myself over these last few days. The sound brings back all the memories, and I grab Jax’s arm just before he lays into him again. I’ve noticed blood starting to seep through his shirt, too.

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