Bound by Obsession (Shadowed Souls #2)

36. Chapter Thirty Six

S uffice to say, I skipped my run this morning. The soreness between my legs has somewhat eased after an hour in the bath with Dax, given that he’s gentleman enough to not trick me into another round of sex like Garrett tried to this morning. Axel drank his coffee by the window and watched a physical fight break out on the bed, my fists flying as Garrett pinned me down. Luckily, Dax came to my rescue, announcing a bath was ready and we’ve been lounging in the huge, jacuzzi tub ever since.

The warm water laps gently as Dax shifts behind me, his chest a solid, comforting weight against my back. Beneath the layer of bubbles, his arms are draped lazily around my waist, fingers tracing soft patterns across my stomach, his touch soothing rather than teasing. There’s no urgency, no hunger simmering beneath the surface. Just peace.

I tilt my head to the side, resting it against his shoulder, and he presses a soft kiss to my temple. “Feeling better?” he murmurs, his voice low and familiar, a sound that always makes my heart flutter.

“Much better,” I sigh, sinking deeper into his embrace, wrapped in a languid contentment I haven’t felt in days. “You have no idea how grateful I am.”

“For the bath?” he tilts a brow. I smile.

“For you.” Dax’s blue eyes crackle with love, his chest swelling beneath me. Moments like this, the calm between the storms, remind me how lucky I am that Dax will always be in my corner. Stoically waiting on the sidelines to pick me up when I fall and dust me off. He’s my go-to for comfort, the man who is holding onto my heart and keeping it safe until I’m ready to cross the next barrier. To cut it into pieces and offer it out to the rest of the men in this house.

Mistaking my silence for tiredness, his hand slides up to brush a wet strand of hair behind my ear. His lips graze my shoulder. “After last night, you deserve a break.” I nod in agreement. It’s not often all of the guys get involved with me in the same evening, and when they do, it’s intense. If only Dax knew about my late night visitor.

We fall into a comfortable state, the soft splashing of water and the faint hum of the world outside the only sounds filling the room. We’re facing a huge bay window that overlooks the ocean. Our last day in paradise, which I decided about twenty minutes ago.

I didn’t expect anything of this festive season, having no home to go to and a stalker chasing me around the country, so the break we’ve had has been incredible. I was gifted a real Christmas, and I finally got some answers. But we can’t hide from the world forever. We can’t put our lives on hold, allowing them to be dictated by others. We’re going out on a high before something goes wrong and ruins the peace we’ve found here.

I glance over to see Huxley leaning against the doorframe, his torso bare and accentuated by the crossing of his arms. He catches my gaze and a slow, knowing smile curves his lips.

“You two look cozy,” he remarks, his tone teasing, but there’s warmth behind his brown eyes.

“Join us,” Dax suggests, his voice lazy and inviting. My own brows hit my hairline and I look up at Dax’s open expression. He chuckles against my back. “I’m taking a leaf out of Garrett’s book. There’s no use in us fighting each other for your attention when we can just share it.”

“Yeah, I get that,” I lick my lips, searching his face for any reservations, “but…naked?” Both of them laugh at me now, Huxley stripping out of his pajama pants. My eyes immediately drop to his cock, impressively thick and swaying.

“I find it adorable how you can ride me in front of four people but you’re shy about sharing a bath.”

My pulse quickens at the sight of his lean, muscled body walking toward us. In the mirror, I catch a glimpse of the kneeling angel tattooed across his back, her huge feathered wings shifting in time with his movements. He’s filled out more than before, his shoulders wide and filled with the quiet confidence he carries. It’s the swagger that gets me more than the shape or size of his body, and the way he devours me with his eyes that has my heart beating a little faster.

Dax shifts, making space for Huxley in the tub as he steps in, the bubbles rippling as he lowers himself across from us. His leg brushes mine under the water, a casual touch that still manages to send a thrill through me. He reaches for my hand, lacing our fingers together, and tugs me gently until I’m leaning toward him.

“How’s my girl doing?” Hux asks, his voice soft, his thumb brushing tender circles against the back of my hand.

“I’m good,” I say quietly, my gaze meeting his. “Better now.” Dax makes a mock noise of disagreement and we all smile. Hux’s eyes soften, and he tugs me closer, pulling me out of Dax’s arms and into his lap. I don’t protest, settling against his chest, the warmth of his body wrapping around me like a blanket. Huxley’s hands slide up my arms, massaging the tension from my shoulders, and I can’t help but melt into him, the love and tenderness between us enveloping me.

“You’re all so good to me,” I whisper, feeling the warmth of his affection sink into my bones.

“Not all of us,” Hux comments. My thoughts tumble back into last night, how my dreams after the fact played Wyatt’s intrusion on repeat whilst filling the imagery. I could perfectly envision the crazed flicks of his brown hair against Garrett’s pillow, the tick in his jaw as he tried to withhold from spilling all over me, then the release of tension when he did. It’s all there, locked inside my mind, ready to be called forth at any possible moment.

I expected to feel that same embarrassment when I woke, but it had vanished. Instead, something much more potent was laying in its place. Power. Wyatt, once again, has given me an insight to his true desires and now, anytime he tries to push me away, tries to give me a reason to hate him, I can call him out on his bullshit. All he’s done is give me ammunition.

Huxley kisses the top of my head, his lips lingering there as Dax watches us with a small smile, his hand still resting on my leg under the water. Their legs intertwine to settle me between them, leaving only the steady rhythm of their hearts against mine. I was right. This festive break has been exactly what all of us needed, so I decide it’s better to just rip the band aid off.

“Now might be as good a time as any to tell you I’ve come to a decision…”

***

“Family meeting!” Garrett runs through the house hollering. I blow out a breath, rolling my eyes. My decision did not go down well. In fact, it blasted a hole through the serenity which had settled. “Dining table, five minutes!” He bangs on several doors as he tears through the lower level, even though he was one of the last to find out.

Zipping up my bag, I collect Mr. XO’s letter from the bedside drawer, briefly holding it against my chest before pushing the envelope in the front of my bag. I’ve decided I know what my problem is. I’m a hopeless, endless romantic and I blame the books I’ve spent years curled up reading. They were my sanctuary away from the world, and now I can’t let go of the notion that Mr. XO is simply some crazy super fan who will forever remain a stranger.

Once I’m fully packed, I lug my bag down the two flights of stairs and approach the dining table. My ponytail of wet hair is heavy, slowly seeping through my sweater. Choosing to stand behind my chair, I lean on the back of it and look over those already seated. Wyatt saunters in last, completely avoiding my gaze - as expected. He heads over to lean on the kitchen island, keeping a clear distance between us.

“It’s really not a big deal,” I address the guys. Garrett throws his arms in the air, an incredulous yet sarcastic look on his face.

“Not a big deal, she says,” he throws an inked hand in my direction. “Totally upheaving our lives and putting herself totally in danger but it’s totally not a big deal.”

“Stop saying totally,” Hux huffs, physically man-handling Garrett’s colorfully-marked arms back down to his sides. Axel steeples his fingers on the table, hazel eyes imploring mine.

“It does seem rather reckless. What’s the rush?”

I look to Dax for back-up, figuring he’s my best chance but even he is skeptical. My back is immediately up in full defense mode.

“School will start again soon. We can’t just rock up the night before. We need time to settle back in and I didn’t want to be the one to say it,” I spear Garrett with a narrowed look, “but some of us are starting to let ourselves go.” Garrett’s hand flies to his chest, his mouth dropping wide open and then slamming shut.

“How very dare you.” I refuse to drop his offended stare. Coming from the man I watched inhale a whole bowl of chicken wings intended to be shared between four people yesterday, I’m not fazed. Huxley takes charge to bring us back under some form of control.

“We haven’t heard from Nixon yet. Wyatt has me check his emails each time I go into town. There’s no further instruction.”

“Fuck Nixon’s instructions,” I half-shout, exasperation fueling me. Garrett pretends to gasp and faint, and I take a banana from the fruit bowl to throw at him.

Dax leans back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, watching me with those ever-calculating blue eyes. He’s quiet for a moment before asking, “What if going back puts us in more danger? What if Fredrick’s men are just waiting for us to resurface?”

“None of Fredrick’s men have even come close to the beach house since we got here. They’re too busy chasing Nixon and Meg is safely hidden in plain sight.”

“How can you know that for sure?” Dax frowns. I’m caught in the web of his gaze, biting down on my bottom lip. I can’t let on that I’ve been watching secret footage and scrolling back through to hunt for any sign of danger. Even when it was just Meg and Keren here, there wasn’t a single incident that would lead me to think the safe house has been compromised.

Then there’s the fact that whoever watches those surveillance tapes now will be treated to the image of me being screwed in every position possible by a group of well hung guys. I knuckle down, biting on my inner cheeks to keep the realization from showing in my face.

“We’re coasting here. Getting too comfortable. We can either wait for the boredom to settle in and eventually start to resent each other, or we can go back to our lives and show we won’t live in fear anymore.” Taking a deep breath, I push off the back of the chair and stand straighter.

“I’m not asking for permission,” I say, my voice holding firm. “I’m telling you what’s happening. We’re going back to Waversea. Together.” The silence that follows feels suffocating. It’s a heavy, loaded silence, one filled with the weight of a thousand unspoken fears and arguments. But none of them say anything.

“I need all of you with me,” I add quietly, eyes moving from Garrett, to Axel, Huxley, Dax and finally over to Wyatt. “I can’t do this alone. But I am doing this.” I swallow thickly, pushing away the lump of nerves that had been building in my throat. I really didn’t want or think this would warrant an entire intervention. If anything, I figured someone would be on my side. “Besides, Wyatt is on my side with this.”

“I am?” Wyatt speaks up for the first time. I barely spare him a glance.

“Yes, because you know as well as I do that Dax cannot miss a single class without good reason otherwise it will hinder his scholarship.” A long pause follows, the tension in the room thickening. I’m preparing the next part of my argument when Wyatt crosses the room to stand at my side.

“She’s right. We can’t risk a blemish on your record, Dax. You have to go back.” Wyatt holds up a hand when Dax starts to protest. “You’ve spent too many years and worked far too hard to let it slip now. I promised I’d always keep you on the right path.” Turning to face me, I blink up at Wyatt’s glistening green eyes, doing my best not to show the thoughts running through my mind.

You fucked my thighs in the dark, you naughty pervert. When can we do it again?

“I suppose it’s useless trying to persuade you to stay behind whilst at least Dax leaves?” He asks, a knowing tilt to his brow. I nod.

“A complete waste of breath.”

“I thought so.” He stares at me like I’m an odd jigsaw piece that won’t fit in the perfect compartments in his mind. For a moment, no one moves. The air seems to buzz with tension. And then, slowly, Axel rises from his seat, walking toward me. He stops just in front of my chair, hazel eyes meeting mine with a look of determination.

“Then we’ll make it work,” he says, his voice steady. “But don’t expect me to be happy about it.” Huxley follows suit, standing and giving me a small nod of agreement.

“I guess that’s that then,” he mutters. Garrett still looks like he wants to argue, but when Wyatt shoots him a look, he shuts his mouth, throwing his hands up in resignation.

“Fine whatever, but for the record,” he points his index finger at me, “I am not getting fat.”

Through it all, Dax’s piercing stare doesn’t leave my face, but eventually, he stands and moves around to my side. “I will never stand in your way, Avery. You know that.” His fingers tangle with mine and he brings my hand up to his lips for a brief kiss. “But if there’s one hint of trouble, Wyatt is to take you somewhere safe without a single argument. Even if we need to be separated for a while. My scholarship doesn’t come before your safety.”

For the first time all morning, my resolve wobbles. I wouldn’t know what a day without them would even look like. I’ve become so attached - no, so dependent - on them. I trust Dax implicitly, but he is putting my life in Wyatt’s hands.

But if this is the reassurance Dax needs, then I will give it to him. “I promise,” I reply softly, leaning into his embrace. I cling to him as much as I cling onto a small slither of hope that Wyatt doesn’t care about me enough to separate me from the other Shadowed Souls. Once we’re back at Waversea, he becomes so focused on returning to his own life, he’ll be oblivious to mine.