“I promise. I won’t tell a soul,” I reply, and he smiles, removing my leg and turning to reach for his phone on the nightstand. “Don’t we have another client tonight?” I ask, and he shakes his head.
“Not tonight. Kayla wants you rested for tomorrow. You are going to the Brimstone house,” he tells me, and I still. I’ve onlybeen there once, and I don’t particularly like it. It’s very dull and borderline creepy. He kisses my forehead and hands me his cell.
“I’m going to go shower. I’ll give you some privacy,” he says, getting up from the bed and walking into the bathroom. I grab the blanket and cover myself. Leaning against the satin pillows as my hands shake, I dial Maverick’s number, praying he will answer.
My heart is beating out of my chest with every ring that passes.
“Hello,” he answers, and tears fall down my face.
“Beast,” I squeal.
“Beauty is that you?” he asks, and I can hear the smile in his tone. Being friends with him all these years, I can see all his expressions even if I’m hearing it over the phone.
“Yes, it’s me.” I hiccup. Hearing his voice has my heart in my throat. I’ve fucking missed him. All of them.
“Holy shit, Pres. Where are you? Are you okay? Is Axel okay? Shit. I have so many questions. Fuck,” he rattles off.
“Umm. I’m not at Hillsboro. I’m somewhere else. Umm, something happened with Axel. He’s okay, but—”
“What do you mean you’re not at Hillsboro. What the fuck happened?” he growls as his fingers tap his desk. I’m not sure if he’s at home or at the shop, maybe even the dungeon, but I know he’s sitting, and his anxiety is ticking away, causing him to tap. I can even bet his one leg is shaking throughout this whole conversation. I smile just thinking about it.
“It’s a long story. I just needed to hear your voice,” I confess, letting out a breath.
“Oh, baby, it’s so good to hear yours. We’ve been so fucking worried about you. Where are you? I’ll come get you,” he says, his keys jingling in the background.
“Mav, you can’t. I don’t know how to tell you where I am and there isn’t much time. I shouldn’t even be calling you, but—”
“Presley, baby. You can always call me. I know things with the Radleys are complete bullshit. But just let me come to you. I want to see you,” he pleads as more tears fall down my face.
“You can’t, Mav. Just know I love you so fucking much. I love you and your brothers, and I miss you all. Braxton probably hates me and I don’t blame him. Axel—”
“Presley…” he growls. “Brax told us what happened. He’s not doing so good, but he doesn’t hate you, babe. We fucking love you. I promise you that. We just want you to come home. You and Ax,” he says, and I take a deep breath.
“I know. Hopefully soon. Can you promise me something?” I ask as I hear shuffling in the background.
“Anything, Beauty,” he replies.
“Wait for me. Don’t give up on me please. Just know I didn’t have a choice. I never have a choice. I love you,” I tell him as someone knocks on the door. “I-I gotta go, Mav. Promise me,” I beg.
“I promise. I love you too, Beauty,” he says, and I end the call and shove the phone under Johnny’s pillow as the door swings open and Kayla enters the room.
“Well, hello there. Where’s Johnny?” she asks, and I point to the bathroom. “ Did he tell you that we are going to The Brimstone house tomorrow?”
“Yes, he did,” I answer, and she nods.
“Good. Don’t stay up too late. We have work to do tomorrow,” she says, picking up the stack of cash, counting it, taking her cut, and leaving the rest where she found it. She leaves the room, and I let out a breath. I shouldn't have called Mav because now I just want to escape. I want to go to him and be with my guys.
Reaching over to the nightstand on my side of the bed, I pull the drawer open and grab two little blue pills. Placing them in my mouth, I pick up the glass of water and swallow them down.These pills are the only thing getting me through this. Johnny helps a bit, but I'm not sure if he's just playing the part with me or if he's truly genuine. I shouldn't care though. I also shouldn't have feelings for someone I just met, but if what he says is true about being drawn to me, then I need to stop lying to myself. From the moment his eyes met mine, I saw the scared little boy beyond the long hair, sweet smile, and ink. I saw the real him, and immediately, I wanted to save him.
The bathroom door opens and steam bellows out.
“Come on, baby. I drew you a bath,” he calls out. The pills begin to take their effect, putting a smile on my face as I climb out of the bed and head for the bathroom.
One thing is for certain, as long as I'm with Johnny, I get treated like a princess and that in itself makes me want to never let go.
Chapter 25
Axel
