Page 16 of Behind the Mask

Chapter Thirteen

Olivia

I didn't know what to feel anymore. On one hand I wanted to be happy, but on the other I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I didn't know what it was about him, but Axel drove me crazy. He made every single coherent thought I had vanish into thin air as if it were never there in the first place.

He stayed with me last night, but being with him didn’t offer the comfort I desperately needed. I was still keeping a secret from him, one that he would never forgive me for. The fact that he wanted to work things out between us only caused me anxiety. It was something I desperately wanted, but I knew my happiness would never come. Not after what I did.

I had some time to myself the next couple of days to process everything. He had to book a flight back to Texas so he could make sure Vanessa got everything out of his house, and he had to talk to his manager.

While he was away, I took that as time to focus on my own life. I was going to start the search of finding a dance studio to rent. My parents had told me the best way to get out on my own was to start with a good-paying job and that meant I had to get the studio up and running. Sure, bartending was great money, but it wouldn't last forever, and I sure as hell didn't want to be there the rest of my life. Besides, I was itching to get lost in the music.

The smell of coffee beans and muffins filled my nose as I stepped into the coffee shop. If there was anything I loved in this world more than dancing, it was coffee. I loved being able to grab a blueberry muffin and enjoy my coffee as I awoke from the best night's sleep I've had in a while.

The young barista took my order, and while I was waiting I snagged a seat nearest the window. My phone buzzed in my purse and I pulled it out.

Axel: Even though Texas has been my home for the last few years, I'm starting to hate it.

Me: Why?

Axel: It doesn't have you.

The breath hitched in my throat as I read the message.

"Here you go, Miss." The barista dropped off my goodies and walked back behind the counter. Instead of replying to the text, I let it go and inhaled the sweet aroma of my latte. The sweet, vanilla taste warmed my throat. It was pure bliss.

I unwrapped my muffin and was about to take a bite of the fruity goodness whenhisvoice invaded my space.

"Well, fancy running into you here."

I stiffened. His voice had taunted me for years. It invaded my dreams and my thoughts. It was a voice that brought an eerie vibe to the room wheneverheentered. My heart lurched into my stomach, almost making me lose my latte. My eyes traveled up to meet his dark beady ones, and I was transported back to that night.

Tears ran down my face as I tried to break free of him, and every time I got close, he grabbed me and pulled me back. I was too weak. The last few days the baby had sucked the life out of me, taking every nutrient it needed to survive. And being in this bastard's arms only frightened me more. I couldn't let him hurt my baby. I couldn't let him hurt Axel's child.

I prayed he didn't know. I knew he had been jealous of Axel all these years, and I knew he always wanted me. I just never knew the depths he was willing to take to make me his. If he found out I was pregnant with Axel's child, he would do everything in his power to make sure I lost the baby.

He gripped me tight, leaving marks on my body as he ripped open my shirt exposing my bra. I prayed silently that someone, anyone would stop by the field and hear my screams for help. I had hoped that no matter how mad Axel was at me, that he'd look for me and take me away.

"So, this is what Kade's been hiding from me all these years. I do believe you are exquisite, Olivia. Too bad he let you go at the drop of the hat. Maybe you should have believed me when I told you he wasn't the right guy for you."

Anger and fear took over and I did something I probably shouldn't have. I spat in his face. He cursed and let me go as he wiped the spit from his eyes, and I took that as my chance to run. I ran as fast as I could, but he was faster. He grabbed me fiercely and threw me to the ground. His once brown eyes were now black as night, and his sly smile was now vicious. The Brad Wilson I had always known had disappeared and what replaced him was a demon from hell.

"I was going to go easy on you babe, but now you've pissed me off."

I tried to push the memories back, but I couldn't. They were swarming around like bees, suffocating me. Brad's dark eyes were filled with amusement and a smirk lifted onto his face. He pulled out the chair in front of me and took a seat as if we were a couple of friends that didn't have a dark history lingering between us.

"What do you want?" I whispered. I hated that I was afraid of him, I hated what he did to me.

He leaned forward and got into my proximity, making me flinch. "You."

I couldn't breathe. I reached for my phone, but he was too quick. He snatched it from my hands. I looked around the room nervously to see if anyone had noticed, but everyone was consumed in their daily lives, not realizing the threat.

Brad chuckled and sat back. He messed with my phone as if he knew a way to hack into it. My heart lurched in my chest. I couldn't catch my breath fast enough. He was going to ruin everything. He already had. "Don't be afraid, Olivia. I'm not going to hurt you."

I scoffed and narrowed my eyes. "Yeah, because that's what every asshole says when they rape someone. But you didn't just rape me Brad, did you? No, you did far more damage than that."

He looked around the shop noticing a few heads were staring our way. When his gaze returned, it was menacing. He leaned forward on his elbows, with every person forgotten except the two of us. He sneered. "There's the fiery spirit I know and love. Be careful, my precious Olivia. You have no idea what I can do to you."

My jaw clenched. Oh, I already knew. Plenty. He didn't have to remind me how corrupt and twisted he was. His whole family was like that.

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