Page 15 of Bound By Obsession

“It’s not been that long,” I murmur against Axel’s shoulder.

“Longest three hours of my life,” he replies, his lips against my temple. Releasing me, I catch Officer Dunsford’s slightly raised brows as he exits the room, a brown folder tucked until his arm. Dax steps into my vision, blocking out all else.

“We need to talk,” he addresses everyone. A lump lodges in my throat. He’s going to tell them everything I said now? While I’m standing right here and there are police officers milling around the desks at Huxley’s back?

“What’s happening?” Huxley stands last, creating a circle of muscle with me stuck in the middle. A cage, but not one I’m eager to escape.

“It’s time to decide where we’re going and what we’re doing here,” Dax’s voice and face remain impassive. “They want to set up surveillance for Avery, but we can’t do that if we keep hotel hopping. Are we even going back to Waversea after the holidays?” I gasp, stunned Dax would even consider not returning to school. He can’t drop out, not after all of his hard work and not for me. My protests die on my tongue when a hand smooths around my hip. I don’t even look at who it is since others are quickly joining. Soft touches giving as much comfort as they seek.

“My place is already a bust. He’s been there,” Huxley grunts with annoyance. “And Hughes Manor is obviously out.”

“Dax and I don’t have homes to return to,” Garrett lifts one shoulder and twists his lips. All pairs of eyes turn to Axel. I quickly discover the hand on my hip is his, since it tightens enough to bruise.

“Fuck no,” Axel shakes his head. “No, no. Absolutely not.” No one speaks but their expectant looks are loud enough. Licking his lips, Axel ducks his jaw inward. “Dudes, my mom still lives there. You can’t ask me to…I can’t just stroll in and…She still holds her parties, you know.” My heart cracks in two at the look of pain contorting his face. Turning fully, I cup Axel’s cheek and bring his forehead down to mine.

“You’re never going back,” I breathe. Axel sighs but he leans into me, using my body to hold him upright for a moment. Then he steps away and I twist my head. “And no one is dropping out of school. I’ve lost enough of my life to this asshole. He doesn’t get to dictate what we do.”

“Here,” Huxley removes his wallet from his pocket and hands it to Axel. I track the movement with suspicion. “Find us a cabin or similar. Something discreet, book it out for at least a couple of weeks and don’t tell any of us the details until we get there.”

“It’s as good an idea as any,” Dax adds, looking to me for confirmation. I nod, a determined set to my jaw.

“Agreed. We need to stay off the radar for a bit.” I suppress the pang of guilt at the use of ‘we’, despite this whole problem stemming from my past. These men could walk away and no one would blame them, except themselves. Axel takes the wallet, a reluctant acceptance in his eyes.

“I’ll get it sorted.” Mentioning his home has clearly unsettled him, but he does his best to hide it. Perhaps I just know where to look. The tension between us is stifling, even though our unity in that moment is evident. These men know what’s at risk, what’s at stake, and they’re staying with me anyway. Turning away from the officer’s desks, we head for the exit.

“While Axel is sorting out accommodation, we should talk security,” Huxley says, his voice firm.

Garrett nods. “Some cameras and motion sensors would be a good idea. And dare I say it,” his dark eyes sweep around and his voice lowers, “it might be worth thinking about having a weapon on hand.” I sense his discomfort. Garrett was visibly spooked when he found the gun at Hughes Manor. The Shadowed Souls may have a reputation with their fists, but they are way out of their league if we’re thinking about strapping knives to our thighs and packing pistols. However, Dax scratches his chin in thought.

“I can reach out to my cousin. He might be able to get us what we need, quickly and discreetly.” I swallow hard, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I don’t want them to be forced into people they’re not. I don’t want them crossing a moral line for me, but the alternative is worse. I can’t let them come to any harm - again.

With the seriousness of what’s to come sinking in, we push open the main doors and are temporarily blinded by a harsh winter sun. Once we step out of this station, we’re on our own. Forced to face my past to secure a future where laughter and sweet kisses are an hourly occurrence. I focus on that image. A pile of limbs weighing me down each morning, of clinking wine glasses over board games and movie night huddles. We have to have a goal, and we can’t afford any mistakes.

But we don’t get that far. “Miss Hughes?” a voice calls out laced with urgency. I look beyond the walls of muscle behind me to see Officer Dunsford rushing forward, a phone in his hand. Raising a brow, I slip free to greet him in the hallway. “I managed to get a hold of your - of Mr. Hughes for you.” Placing the phone in my hand, I just frown at it. Then my arm snaps and I press the receiver to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Avery,”Nixon says with a hint of relief. I’m frozen by a flood of emotion ranging from elation to where-the-fuck-have-you-been.

“Nixon?” I question, still playing catch up. “How- Why haven’t you answered any of my calls?”

“It’s safer that way,”Nixon quickly snaps back to his usual authoritative self.“But judging that this call was just passed over to me from a police station, I’m guessing things have escalated.”My thoughts collide, one not able to finish before another takes over in a bid to be heard. Who’s passed the call over, how much does Nixon know, what is he not telling me? I stutter over myself, turning away from the officer.

“What things? What’s happening here?!” I rush to ask. I’m quickly shut down.

“There isn’t any time,”Nixon snaps impatiently. The surprised expression on my face is met with a showcase of darkening scowls by the Shadowed Souls watching me.“Listen carefully. I need you and Wyatt to pack and meet me somewhere safe. I’ll send you an encrypted email with the location. The password is Cathy’s special place. It’s imperative you drive here, no airports. Only tell Wyatt where you are going, avoid public places and hotels. You can’t trust anyone.”Despite the phone being pressed uncomfortably against my ear, the voice speaking might as well be a million miles away. None of the familiarity I’m used to is present, as if I’m talking to a stranger. Nixon has never been so formal with me, which only heightens my panic.

“Okay but, um,” I struggle to comprehend and I hear Nixon’s frustration. Might as well just come out with it. “Wyatt isn’t actually here right now...” Nixon’s scoff holds a heavy dose of disappointment.

“Well who the hell is with you?!”He asks and then groans as if he already knows the answer. Nixon may be showing manysides of his personality I’ve never known before, but he will always be well versed in Wyatt’s lifestyle choices. His words become gritted, as if he’s speaking through his teeth.“Just tell me your safety is being taken seriously.”

“It is,” I reply immediately.

“Fine. Pass me over to whichever one of Wyatt’s goons you trust the most. The one you think would value your life above their own.”

My eyes widen, sliding over each of the Shadowed Souls. They’re all waiting, a mixture of arms crossed and hands stuffed in pockets. Garrett’s smirk is a distant memory, replaced with a firm line of seriousness. It doesn’t suit his handsome face. Axel’s hazel eyes are glazed with worry, his shoulder leaning against Dax. Inhaling deeply, I pull my bottom lip into my teeth and make a decision. The one who would value my life over his own. Extending my arm, I pass the phone over.

“Nixon wants to talk to you, Huxley.”

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