Page 107 of Johnathan

“It’s not what you’re thinking, John. I need to, yes, but I’m not out of control. I’m just scared. I know I’m not going to be able to sleep, and you have that treadmill downstairs, so I’m going to use it. You’ll be up here with Katy, so there’s no reason I can’t while you finish talking to Jackson.”

“I’m staying. But you don’t have to worry. You’re safe here.”

“I’ll see you when I get done with my run, then.” Abby pushed back trying to break free from his embrace, but he kept holding her. “John. Please let go of me.”

“Not until you tell me why you feel like you need to run at one in the morning.”

“I just told you! I’m scared! That phone call was creepy. And he was clearly using a device to distort his voice and when I heard him, I couldn’t breathe. I felt him here, John. I could tell he was watching me. I’mthe one that got away from him.Marco’s coming back for me, and I put you and Katy in danger! I shouldn’t be here.”

“Whoa, that’s a big leap your brain just took there.”

“It’s not a leap! You told me I wasn’t being crazy earlier, so don’t you dare try to make me feel like I am now,” she lashed out. “Shit. I’m just… I’ll run back to my apartment.”

Abby dashed to the front door, pulling her keys off the hook. She patted the waistband of her leggings.

“Give me my cell. I’ll text you once I’m there.”

“Baby, nothing is out of control right now. You just need to breathe. I hate to tell you this, because I believe in you being able to make your own decisions, but there is no fucking way I’m letting you run right now. Not in the basement. Not to go back to your apartment.”

John wrapped his hand around her arm and guided her into the living room.

“Moving in was a mistake.” Abby turned to Jackson as a pit grew in John’s stomach. “I know it’s late and you’ve come over in the middle of the night, but since John won’t let me run, would you mind giving me a ride back to my apartment? I’d drive myself but I’m a little shaken up and don’t really trust myself to drive right now.”

“Abby…”

“No! No, John. I won’t put Katy in danger.”

“You think I’m going to let you go back to your apartment? Alone? In the middle of the night after someone made you this upset?”

“I don’t expect you toletme do anything. Jackson?”

He wasn’t about to let his brother answer. “Don’t fucking answer her. I’m thankful you came, and I appreciate you looking after my girls until I got here, but we’re good. Tell Grace I said sorry for stealing you in the middle of the night.”

“She’ll just be happy to hear everything’s okay. Expect a few texts or a call from her in the morning, Abby. She’ll want to check in.”

“You’re not going to give me a ride?”

Jackson shook his head. “I actually agree with my brother. It’s not smart to make decisions in the middle of the night after something scary happened. And don’t think this is a new stanceI have. Grace tried to pull the same thing when she came back to town pregnant with Jack. Being scared can make you only see one way out, but you’re safe here with my brother. He would never let something happen to you or Katy. So stay. You guys can figure out whatever happened together.”

Abby sighed, pushing up from the couch before walking back towards their bedroom without another word. Fuck. John raked his hand down his beard before turning to face his brother.

“She needs you.”

“Yeah, you fucking think?”

“Don’t let her leave, John. If this is something Marco related, she’s going to need more protection, not less.”

“It’s not Marco.”

“She feels like it is. How can you be sure?”

“Seb and I talk.”

Jackson pulled his jacket on. “Yeah, no shit, we all talk.”

“No. We talk about Marco.”

“You do?”

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