Page 95 of Sinning for Santa

“Jaxcen, I’m not sure why you are doing this. Have you been watching those disgusting videos online again? You know how corrupting they are, Jaxcen. I hope you haven’t relapsed. I don’t think Father Peters will be happy to hear that. In fact, perhaps we should discuss your behaviour with your father. I don’t want to resort to that, but I will if you don’t call me back soon.”

Tears well in her eyes and her lower lip wobbles, but her cheeks are still flushed, and I’m pretty sure it’s with shame and humiliation.

“So watching porn has corrupted you in the past has it? And now he thinks you’ve relapsed and gone down the rabbit hole?”

“I guess,” she snaps, and I grip her jaw, forcing her to look at me.

“Has he involved your old man in this bullshit before? About you watching porn?”

She tries to sit up and shove me back, but I drop her phone to my desk and pin her wrist to the surface, pressing my nose to hers.

“Are you angry at me, little mouse?”

“Those messages are private. You have no right to listen to them.”

“Maybe not. But I needed to know what we were up against with your family. How far they’d go to search for you. And so far, this is what we have. Two voicemails from your fiancé, not even fucking worried about your sudden absence, instead more worried about what depravities you’re getting up to.”

“It’s still not your business,” she whispers, tears spilling over.

“Maybe not, but now it is, and for the record, Jaxcen. I’m on your side.”

I rear back and hit play on the next voicemail, watching her expression as her fiancé continues to be a dick.

Message Received from: Eddie

“Do you not understand the concept of what soon is Jaxcen? I’m so disgusted with how you are treating me. This isn’t the behaviour of a dutiful wife. This is immature childish behaviour that requires strict punishment. I’m coming over.”

“Hmmm. Strict punishment. How does he punish you?” I ask, but she looks away, a sob escaping. “How does he fucking punish you, Jaxcen?!” I yell, and she sneers.

“Not like you… he just… belittles me. Yells at me until I feel like nothing better than a pile of dog shit on the bottom of his shoe.”

“He has no right to do that. Don’t you get that? No one has the right to make you feel that way.”

She shrugs, crossing her arms over her chest while looking anywhere but at me, so I play the next message.

Message Received from: Eddie

“Stop ignoring me, Jaxcen. I know you can hear the buzzer, and since you aren’t at work you must be there. That’s it. I’m calling your father.”

Her eyes widen at that message, panic contorting her expression.

“Oh my God. Did he call my dad?”

“What do you think?” I ask sincerely, and she covers her eyes with her arm. “This can’t be happening.”

“Unfortunately it is,” I say before hitting play on the next message.

Message Received from: Dad

“Jaxcen, it’s your father. Edward called, and I must say, I am shocked with your behaviour. I raised you to be better than this. If you don’t call him or me in the next thirty minutes, I will have to involve Dr Xavier.”

She bolts upright, nearly headbutting me, panic gripping her as she tries to push me away to get free.

“I have to go. Oh my God. I have to go.”

“Hold up,” I say, gripping her upper arms and holding her in place, her arse still perched on my desk. “Why does that message make you want to leave? When you say you have to go, where do you mean?”

“You don’t get it. I can’t… No. I can’t do it.” She shakes her head furiously, the terror in her tone more extreme than when she thought she was going to die on Tuesday night.

---