Page 29 of Something to Believe In
"Right. But here's the thing. Mads' downstairs neighbor is a rude bitch, playing her music loudly. So loud we decided to leave. I got a package from my mystery person, and cameras aren't installed until tomorrow. So I texted Sam, you remember him, right?"
"Yeah."
"He has a short-term rental outside of Leesburg. We went there. While we were walking on the beach, someone keyed the fuck out of my car and carved the word, slut, into the passenger door. I'm thinking that was asshole Doug."
Maddyn sat up straighter. There was no proof it was Doug. Not that she didn't think he'd do something like that, because he sure would. Especially since Axel had kicked his ass. But still, he was completely discounting anyone else.
Jami responded. "Okay. So are you safe at the rental?"
Axel's shoulders shrugged. "We may have been, but we didn't feel safe, so now we're at a hotel in Leesburg. We'll be back tomorrow so Mitch can get my cameras installed."
Jami sighed. "Okay. We need you both feeling creative, not mired down in drama. I know that sounds selfish of me, but we've got some big stuff coming up and Tony's managed to book a few more big gigs."
Maddyn swallowed and sat forward. "Jami. We're aware and totally focused on that. I've been writing songs, and so has Axel; that’s why we left my apartment. So we could focus. We're doing everything we can to make sure we have our heads on straight."
"Thanks Mads. I appreciate you telling me this. I'd like you two to come to the Barn tomorrow and speak with Tony and me. Let's hash this out and make sure he's comfortable with your new relationship. He should be. Then we'll bring Livia and Sean in on it. Can you do that?"
"Yes. We'll be there tomorrow. Text us a time."
Her eyes watched Axel as his shoulders began to relax. He nodded and sat back on the sofa. He pulled her legs over his, and his hand absently stroked her legs as he finished their conversation with Jami.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Jami. Thank you for understanding."
Jami chuckled. "It's not about understanding. Like I said, we've all seen you two together. It's a matter now of keeping the band together."
He turned his head to look into her eyes. "Mads and I are stronger now, Jami. That can only make the band stronger."
"We can only hope, Axel. See you tomorrow."
Axel dropped his phone on the other side of the sofa and rested his head back. Both of his hands stroked her legs as they rested across his lap. She watched him for a long time, then asked, "Why are you sure it's Doug?"
He turned his head toward her, leaving it resting on the sofa. "Because he's an asshole. Who else would it be?"
"Axel, this all started because you have a groupie, or more than one, leaving you notes and gifts."
His head lifted from its relaxed position. "Those are harmless things. It's a big stretch to go from leaving a rose to keying a car."
"But when she left the rose, she didn't know about me. What if she saw you come to my place?"
"So you think she's hanging around on my street watching me come and go and following me?"
Maddyn shrugged her shoulders. "She figured out where you live."
Axel rotated his head on his shoulders, lifted her legs from his lap, and stalked across the room. He turned to her after reaching the wall, stuffed his hands in his front pockets, and stared at her. Would this be their first big test? The look in his eyes was intense. His shoulders had risen, and his spine was straight.
She set her feet on the floor. Slowly standing, she moved toward the door to the room. If she needed to run out, she'd be able to get out before he could get to her.
Axel asked, "Where are you going, Mads?"
"Nowhere." She stopped and faced him. His brows rose, but he made no move toward her. "Are you afraid?"
She inhaled deeply and swallowed. After a minute, her shoulders dropped and she realized what she'd done.
"I'm sorry. It's a habit," she whispered.
His shoulders dropped, and his face fell. He slowly stepped toward her. When he was in front of her, his voice was low and slow when he said, "I'd never hit you, Mads. I've never hit a woman in my life. And I'll never hit you."
He didn't move. She tilted her head back to look into his eyes, and what she saw staring back at her was the man she'd been in love with for more years than she could count. The man who told Jami he loved her. She didn't see anger or hatred; she saw love.
