Things around the house have been less tense since Johnny and I made up. Axel noticed the shift almost immediately, and he was relieved to hear we’d resolved our issues. It feels like we’ve been living in a little pocket of winter bliss, but that peace comes crashing down on New Year’s Eve.
Ben calls the whole family into his office for a meeting. Axel, Johnny, and I gather in the upstairs hallway, whispering like guilty teenagers as we try to figure out which one of us messed up. We come up empty.
Uneasy, we descend the stairs together.
Once everyone’s in the room, Ben cuts straight to the point.
“There’s no easy way to say this. Joe was picked up by facial recognition software two days ago. The footage came from a CCTV camera in Georgia.”
A heavy silence settles over the room. My stomach drops. Axel’s hand finds mine, and I grip it tightly, grounding myself before my thoughts can spiral.
“Where in Georgia?” Maryanne asks.
“Just outside Atlanta. About a five-hour drive from here.”
My heart thuds painfully. That’s far,but not far enough.
“Where is he now?” Johnny asks. “Were they able to track him?”
Ben shakes his head. “No. That’s the problem. I confirmed it was him, but he’s gone dark again. It’s unclear if he’sjust passing through, or if he’s purposefully getting closer. Narrowing in on us. On Lina.”
The room goes still. Maryanne places a protective hand on my back.
“What do we do?” Axel asks, voice low and steady.
“For now, we stay vigilant. Lina, I don’t want you going out of your way to change plans, but someone needs to be with you at all times. No solo trips. No shortcuts. Be aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything suspicious, anything at all, you come to me or call 911.”
Nodding, I try to keep my face calm, even as fear curls like a fist in my chest.
“I’ve got a few people working to trace him. They’re scanning additional camera feeds and traffic data. We’re on it. I promise you that. But I needed you to know. I won’t keep you in the dark when it comes to your safety.”
“Thanks, Ben,” I whisper, tightening my grip on Axel’s hand.
And just like that, reality slams back in with cold, sharp teeth.
∞∞∞
That night, the nightmares come back with a vengeance. Joe hitting, punching, kicking, thrusting, taking. Each time, Axel wakes me gently, his voice soft, his hands careful. He’s patient. Kind.
But by the third night in a row, he’s clearly over it.
“Scoot over,” he says, already climbing into my bed like he owns the place.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like? I’m staying so you sleep, and in return, I sleep. It’s a win-win.” He yawns, clearly exhausted. “Now shut up and let me hold you.”
He pulls me back against him, spooning me from behind. One arm slips under my pillow; the other curls securely around my waist. With his body pressed firmly against mine, I finally feel safe.
I fall asleep within minutes, and this time, I stay asleep.
The next night, he doesn’t even bother with his own bed. He brushes his teeth, turns out the lights, and climbs into mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I sleep through the night again.
And just like that, my stepbrother ends up in my bed every night.
Chapter 36
