At this point, I can’t help the tears that silently run down my cheeks. I know deep down that Axel wouldn’t harm me, but this has been my reality for so long that the instinct to protect myself is just too strong.
“Izzy, please, Princess. Turn around,” he says after a long pause. I can still feel his anger but his tone is soft and reassuring. I slowly turn, bracing myself for any reaction, but I am completely shocked by the pain in his eyes. “Let’s go. We’re talking and we’re talking now. Izzy, hear me this right fucking now. You do not fear me. Ever. Even as mad as you have me, I wouldn’t ever put my hands on you. Do you hear me? I would never harm a single fucking hair on your head, Princess.”
I flinch but it has nothing to do with fearing him. Hearing him call me Princess again is almost as painful as seeing him before me. I never thought I would hear that word coming from those lips again. I nod once, giving him that before following him out the door.
I trail behind him, eyes to the floor, walking past the cubicles and around the display case. I look up and meet Trix’s eyes. Surprisingly, she isn’t enamored by Axel, but she looks at me with uncensored concern. I give her a small, very wobbly smile and ask her how much.
“Already paid. Here are the instructions from Ty. I wrote the shop number on there in case you have any questions.” She looks at me and I can see her communicating something. I just can’t figure it out right now. My mind is focused on one thing and one thing only.
I thank her and then look around the front for Dee. I find her silently crying next to Beck, who has his arm thrown tightly around her shoulders, hugging her close. I can’t even fake a smile for her. She knows me too well, so it would be completely pointless. I walk out the front door and stand there, waiting for the rest of this fucked-up entourage to join me on the sidewalk. Axel is out first. He takes his post behind me, boxing me in and making any thought of running impossible.
Dee comes up and gives me an awkward hug. “It will be okay, Iz,” she whispers into my ear before pulling away and standing back with Beck. He gives me a sympathetic smile but doesn’t say anything, and really, what can be said? Then I meet the blue eyes of Greg.
“Games, baby girl. I won’t sit back and watch you self-destruct with these fucked-up games. You can be mad, and I get that you will be, but you will not play these fucked-up games. I’ll call you tomorrow and maybe by then you will understand why this was the only move you left me. I love you, baby girl, but that shit stops now.”
My eyes widen in shock. I hear Dee gasp behind him, and I feel Axel’s deep rumble behind my back. I can imagine that Dee is just as shocked as I am that Greg just admitted to letting Axel know where I was; I have no clue what the hell Axel’s deal is. I am crushed. How could he do this to me? The tears start streaming down again, even heavier than before. I can see Greg, and he looks visibly shaken up by my tears.
Everything I had been building up—the fight, the drive to be strong—is gone in an instant. I am completely flattened with his betrayal. I let out a mighty breath before addressing Greg. “Do not even bother, Greg. Don’t. As far as I’m concerned, you can lose my number. I’m dead to you, you hear me? I do not exist to you.” I look right into his eyes, with tears flowing quickly; I don’t even bother to mask the pure pain.
He looks stunned at first, and then a look that I’m sure comes close to the pain across my face takes hold of his features. I don’t even give it a second thought. I turn and look up to Axel’s blazing eyes.
“I didn’t drive, took a cab here. So if you want to talk, you either do it here or you meet me somewhere.” I don’t even recognize my voice; it’s flat and expressionless.
His eyes flare and he slowly brings his hand forward, grabbing my hand. I don’t flinch at his touch, but the bolts shooting up my arm from this exchange has me widening my eyes at him. If his quick intake of air is any indication, he feels it too.
“Not leaving my fucking sight, understand that right now. Say goodbye to your friends. We are going to have this chat and we’re doing it right now before you decide to run. Again.” There is no room for arguing; he means it and I don’t even care. Greg’s deception is hard enough to take in, but knowing I am about to rip open old wounds better left alone is gutting me.
I have no idea how I am going to make it through this.
CHAPTER 10
I give Dee another look; she seems to understand and gives me a small nod. I completely ignore Greg, turn, and prepare to follow Axel to parts unknown. I know what is coming, and I might not be ready, but something is telling me that I have no choice. Axel wants answers, he warned me, and I knew he would be determined.