AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Lou, help,” I whisper.
“I’m sorry, Odi. It’s the only way out of here.”
“Saint—”
“This was plan C, Odi. You know Axel always had a back up to his back up plan.” Saint holds his hand out to me but I can’t take it. I stare at him like he’s the enemy. Like he’s ontheirside. There’s no way that Axel would use them. Would call on them or rely on them or accept their help. This is a trick. A trap. It has to be.
“I promise you, chica,” Hector says, having reached us now. The others stand at the end of the alleyway, watching, cutting us off from escape. “You can read the messages on my phone once we get out of here. But you need to trust me and we need to leave right now. Come with me, let us keep you safe. We’ll help you get to the graveyard.”
I jolt. Graveyard? How does Hector know? How can he know that those were some of the last words Axel ever said to me? The word hangs in the air, the weight of it slicing through my grief and sinking into my bones.
I glance at Saint, hoping to find some reassurance in his eyes, but all I see is a flicker of concern masked by an unwavering determination. My heart pounds as I grapple with the choice before me.
The loyalty I feel towards Axel and the boys battles against the desperate need for safety, for a chance to protect this unborn child growing inside me. And as much as it pains me to admit it, Hector’s words hold a glimmer of truth. Even from beyond the grave, Axel would find a way to ensure my survival. Even if it meant handing me over to his sworn enemies. Because who’s the real enemy here? The Gods didn’t shoot my husband.
I take a deep breath, choking back tears and surrendering to the overwhelming sense of loss that threatens to engulf me once more. With a trembling hand, I reach out and reluctantly accept Hector’s offer of help.
“Okay,” I whisper hoarsely. “I’ll go with you.”
Hector’s face softens with relief as he extends his hand towards me. “We won’t let anything happen to you, Odi,” he promises, his voice filled with a mix of sincerity and regret. “You or the baby.”
That confirms it. I’ve made the right choice. If Hector knows about the baby when the guys only knew themselves for a few short hours, it means that Axel kept him in the loop. That he trusted him with my life.
And it wouldn’t be the first time.
Saint watches me closely, his grip on my shoulder tightening ever so slightly. “We’ll be right behind you,” he assures me, his voice firm and resolute. “We’re not leaving your side.”
I nod, silently praying that I’m making the right decision. As we move towards the end of the alleyway where the others are waiting, fear and uncertainty swirl within me like a gathering storm. As we approach the group at the end of the alleyway, I can feel the weight of their gazes upon me. The air crackles with tension and unspoken questions. Hector’s hand tightens around mine, providing an anchor amidst the chaos.
Louise steps forward, her voice filled with urgency. “We need to move quickly. There’s no time to waste.”
Taking a deep breath, I gather my strength and force myself to walk , joining the rest of the group. The barely familiar faces are a stark reminder that everything has changed. The leader – I forget his name – steps ushers us towards an awaiting car. A limo. The wedding limo, I realise, noting the ribbons on the door handles as he pulls it open.
I hesitate for a moment, my eyes lingering on the familiar sight of the ribbons. It’s a stark reminder of what was supposed to be a joyful occasion, now tainted by tragedy and uncertainty.
Louise leans towards me. “Odi... I know this is all overwhelming, but trust me when I say that we have your best interests at heart. Axel made sure we knew what to do in case something happened to him.”
Her words hang heavy in the air, stirring conflicting emotions within me. I want to believe her, to trust that Axel had plotted out a plan that would keep me safe. Yet doubt tugs at the edges of my thoughts like wisps of fog obscuring my vision.
We all file into the limo where no lingering scent of my loves remains, and crippling grief threatens to send me spiralling once more.
As the car speeds through the city, Hector reaches into his pocket and retrieves his phone. With a solemn expression, he hands it to me. “Odi, there’s something you need to see.”
I take the phone cautiously, unsure of what I will find. The screen illuminates as my trembling fingers unlock it, revealing a series of messages between Axel and Hector. My heart skips a beat as I read their contents – plans, contingencies, and a depth of love and concern that echoes the memories I hold dear. Axel had indeed entrusted Hector with my safety, and his words on the screen serve as a bittersweet reminder of the man he was. Always working to keep me safe.
Tears blur my vision as I continue scrolling through the messages, my heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and sorrow.Each word etched on the screen is a testament to the bond between Axel and Hector, a bond that extends to me now.
“Where are we going? Where are you taking me?” I eventually ask.
“Home,” Lou replies. “It’s the safest place on earth.”
It’s been months now and I’ve heard nothing from my father, apart from business calls. He finally seems content to let us build our empire here in Black Hallows. Has even offered his support.
No more metal boxes.
I can’t help but dread what he’s moved on to now.
How long has it been? I don’t even know. I’m either crying, sleeping, or numb. Louise hasn’t left my side the entire time, and I know that the others are here too because I often hear voices or sounds coming from downstairs. I just haven’t been able to force myself to care.
