“I’m really sorry, Jenna.”
“For what?” I ask, confused.
“For taking you to that party. For introducing you to the club. You wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for me,” her voice cracks.
“Oh, Mar, stop it. You had no idea this was going to happen, did you?”
“No, of course I didn’t,” she says quickly.
“Then knock it off. I’ll be okay, I just need some time to process everything.” I look around. The moonlight is the only thing illuminating the dark room. It should feel strange to be in Axel’s space, but I almost feel more comfortable here than I do in my own.
“Anyway, are you coming here to the clubhouse?” I ask, hoping that she is going to be stuck here with me. I can’t be the only woman stuck here.
“Yep.” I can practically hear her eye roll from here. “I forced Max to let me stop by the apartment first to pack a bag. Want me to pack one for you too?”
“Yes, please!” I almost shout. Not that I don’t enjoy wearing Axel’s shirt. Actually, I probably enjoy it a little too much. I pull the collar up to smell his scent like a weirdo. The thick fabric of his shirt rubs over my sensitive nipples, and a shock of excitement courses through my body. I shake my head, focusing back on the conversation.
“Will do. Where are you, anyway? Did they put you in a guest room?” she asks, genuinely curious, which tells me Blaze hasn’t said anything to her yet.
“Oh, well actually… I’m in Axel’s room.” The words are barely out of my mouth before Marley’s screams pierce my ears.
“What?! You are in Axel’s room? Oh my gosh, tell me everything. And when I say everything, Jenna, I mean everything!” She pauses only long enough for me to hear Blaze in the background telling her to chill out. At this point, I’m full-onlaughing. Marley definitely knows how to get me out of my own head.
“Have you guys had sex?” she whispers into the phone.
I feel my cheeks heat at the thought of what we’ve been doing. “I’ll tell you everything when you get here, Mar, I promise. Just hurry up! I need my best friend.”
“Oh, that was totally a yes!” she exclaims.
I ignore her. “Please don’t forget my phone charger. Oh, and my favorite leggings and—” she cuts me off before I can continue.
“Yeah, yeah, I got it, Jenna,” she says in a mocking tone.
“Thank you,” I say as sweetly as possible. I am so grateful that Marley could talk Blaze into getting our things. I was going to be miserable, stuck here without any of my toiletries and my own clothes for however long Axel plans on keeping me here.
“Yep… Jen, I know I’ve already said it, but I’m glad you’re okay! I’ll see you soon.”
“Sounds good, Mar. I’m going to try to sleep, so if I don’t see you tonight, I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
“Of course. Sleep well! Bye!” she hangs up before I can respond.
I roll over until my face is pressed into the soft pillow. This bed could rival the fanciest of hotels. I take a deep inhale of Axel’s heavenly spicy scent. I really need to stop doing this—it’s not healthy. I turn onto my side so I’m staring at the large window across the room. Closing my eyes, I try to count backward from 100. That always puts people to sleep, right?
I recite my vows back to the minister. Axel’s bright smile warms me as I place the ring on his finger. Looking back to the minister, he begins the same process again. This time, Axel is reciting his vows.
A large gust of wind comes from behind me as Axel’s handsome face starts to fall. “Jenna, what’s wrong?” he asks in a panicked voice. Reaching toward me, he goes to hold my elbow.
“Nothing, I’m fine. Keep going!” I squeak. Woah, that’s weird. What’s wrong with my voice?
“Babe? Jenna!” He is now holding me in place.
I feel shaky and start to shiver from the strong wind. Looking down, I see blood—dark, red, thick blood coating the ground around us.
I look back to Axel, worried he’s hurt, but before I can ask him anything, I feel liquid dripping down my chin. I move my hand up to touch the foreign substance and pull it back to find more blood.
What’s happening to me?
Panic floods my body as I try to move, but I can’t.
