… I’ve got you. You’re safe…
It’s been about a month since I’ve seen her. I’ve tried to check in on her multiple times, but every time that I have, it’s gone unanswered.
Me:Happy Birthday, Babydoll.
I read the text that I sent her this morning, another in the string of messages that has gone unanswered.
And I have no fucking clue what I did to upset her.
Standing in Sirens, I’m bored out of my fucking mind. I joke with Chell as Ash walks up to the bar. He hands something over to her as he laughs and picks up his phone.
“Happy birthday, Kid.” I hear him say, causing me to glance over to look at him. For the first time since I met Ash, I’m slightly jealous of him, but I understand why Ella would blow me off yet still call him back. “Yeah,” he pauses, and I can see the concern forming on his face, and he walks into the hallway towards the office.
Not being able to stop myself, I follow him, eerily standing outside of the office door. I know it’s fucking creepy, but I feel like I just need a little. I just need to know that she’s okay… after the last time I saw her. “So, what do you have planned for tonight?… That's good, it sounds like it will be fun... You deserve it, kid… okay, just be safe.” Hearing Ash that concerned about her isn’t really new, but the level of concern on his face just spirals my already out-of-control thoughts.
“Hey Bro,” I step in, talking loud enough because I want to make sure she hears my voice. “Aw, shit.” I mumble as if I didn’t know that he was on the phone.
“Yeah, Axe. Give me a second.” He looks up, nodding. “Alright kid, call me if you need anything.” Hanging up the phone, he looks up at me.
“Everything alright?”
“Yeah, I just have a feeling that something’s going on with her.” He pauses and looks back up at me. “Did you happen to,” he pauses for a second, and I think for a second that I’m going to have a fucking heart attack right here, “notice if she was acting like herself when they were here?”
“Uh,” I hesitate, looking around for a second. I’m not really sure how to answer his question. If I tell him the truth, he’ll kick my ass, but I also can’t really lie. “She seemed a little quieter than she normally does.”
“Yeah,” he hesitates again, “there was so much going on. I didn’t really have time to talk to her much.”
“I could see that.”
“What was it?” He asks, looking up at me.
“Uh, nothing. I got it. You’ve got some shit.”
“Huh? Uh, yeah. Thanks.” He mumbles and looks back at his phone.
I walk up to the front of the club; it has to be close to midnight. It’s slow, so I’m about to let the prospect go home for the night. Stepping outside to tell them, but feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out,M.D.displays on the screen. I move away from the guys as I answer it.
“Hey, birthday girl.” I can’t stop the smile from forming on my face just from actually being able to hear the sound of her voice, but also keeping my voice low so that no one can hear me.
“Axe,” the sob comes through the phone, stopping every thought that I have in my head. Sending every muscle in my body on edge. Whatever is happening right now, I will end it.
“El, what’s wrong?” Another sob racks through the earpiece. “Babydoll, where are you?”
“I’m not sure. We, uh, went to L.A. and…” another sob. “He’s here.” She whispers and sobs. “Axe, he’s here.” Another sob.
I have no fucking clue who he is, but the fear in her voice is enough to answer any fucking question that I may have. “Okay, send me your location. Find somewhere you feel safe. I’m leaving now. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
I’m panicking while I walk back into the club and I’m not sure what I’m going to tell the guys. Walking through the door.
“Axe,” Khan calls to me and when I look up, he and Ash are both staring at me. Panicking, forcing myself to think before I have to explain to them why I’m needing to go to L.A. to pick up his goddaughter. “What’s up?”
“There’s… uh…” trailing, looking down as Ella sends over her location, “there’s a minor emergency up at my mom’s place.” Convincing myself that it’s somehow not a lie, since her location puts her fairly close to where my mother actually lives.
“Shit, man. Yeah. Go.” Khan nods.
“Do you need us to come help?” Ash asks, looking up.
“Huh?” I internally panic for a moment that he’s going to push to come help. “Nah. Not that kind of emergency.” I mumble out as they just nod back.
