Page 37 of Wildest Desire

“I won’t,” I say, knocking on the door. “Lexi, you’ve been in there for a while now. Are you okay?” She remains silent. “I’m coming in.” I slowly open the door. I leave it open a little so Dan can see. The way the bathroom is the laid out, he can only see her back.

Kneeling next to the bath, I put my hand in the water and swish it back and forth making gentle waves. “Are you about ready to get out? The police are here and want to talk to you.” She turns her head to look at me, and for the first time since I got here, she looks me in the eyes. “I won’t let anyone touch you again. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

“I can’t let you get hurt,” she whispers.

“How about you let me worry about that? Now, let’s get out of the water,” I say, gently.

I grab a towel and wrap it around her as she steps out of the tub. I hold her still for a moment, kiss the top of her head, and listen to her cry softly. She needs to let it out, and I need her to know she can trust me to be there for her as she gets through this.

Chapter 17

Lexi

Standing in my empty bedroom, I see that Ms. Jackie did pack everything for me. Dan told me I would be going to stay with Ethan. I put up a fight about it with Dan and Jon, and I even told Ms. Jackie I would be happier going to a hotel. That way I could change locations more often and not be in one place for too long. That didn’t get me far with the three of them, though. They kept saying they weren’t going to let me be alone.

Ethan stayed quiet the whole time I was talking to them, which surprised me. I’m sure he had plenty to say, but I got the feeling even he knew this had to be my choice.

I’ve escaped him before. I’ve picked myself up without anyone to help and this time is no different.

Walking away from them, I look at the refrigerator magnets again. I know Dan made sure there was nothing left in my house to show he had been here, but that doesn’t stop me looking.

I pull the magnets off the picture of Dan, Mom, Dad, and me. I smile at the memories of a time when my life was good.

I told the police everything they wanted to know while Ms. Jackie took Ethan outside. I think she knew I wasn’t sure about telling him everything just yet. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to keep it from him now, though.

As they say, the quicker you pull off the Band-Aid the less it hurts. But, this isn’t about hurting me. This is me telling him about the biggest mistake of my life, and how much it has cost me.

“Adam’s here with my car, when you’re ready,” Ethan says, and I turn to Ethan standing next to me, then look back at the picture.

“So, am I paying you to babysit me now? Because I don’t have four million dollars.” I look at him over my shoulder, then back to the fridge and continue taking the magnets off.

“Shut up and get in the car,” he says. Please. I hear a little humor in his voice.

“You call me every day. If I don’t answer, you call Jon.” Dan points to Jon, who gives me that look of ‘if you don’t, I'll come to the apartment to see if you're okay.”

“I will, I promise.” I stand on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

“I’ll be calling Ethan, but that doesn’t mean you don’t still have to call me,” Ms. Jackie says as she walks over to me. “You will fight this time, because you’re not alone.” She pulls me into a hug.

I’ve never been alone. Dan has always been there for me, but there's a reason I choose to do this by myself, and Dan and Ms. Jackie know why. I know that Dan wants me to stay in one place; he’s always telling me that he misses us living close to each other. The reason I don’t, is so Sam doesn’t find me and hurt Dan.

“You know it’s not safe,” I say, looking at the three of them.

“We know, and we have your back,” Jon says, and the three of them nod their heads in agreement.

“I can’t—”

“Lexi, we don’t care,” Ms. Jackie says and looks over at Adam smiling at me.

I do miss being around Dan and Jon. Dan, Jon, and Ms. Jackie know the risk they're putting themselves in, but Ethan doesn’t.

“I’ll have to tell him, won’t I?” I look at Dan.

He looks at Ethan behind me. “It won’t be the worst thing you do.” Dan smiles at me, and I stand there and shake my head at him.

“I’ll message you when I get there,” I say, giving him and Jon another kiss. Turning to Ethan I say, “Let’s go, then.” then head to the door.

Sitting in the car, I look out of the window. Ethan hasn’t actually said anything to me, and it makes me wonder what he's thinking. Leaning my head on the window, I close my eyes. They're so heavy, and I just want to sleep.

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