Chapter 124 IN HIS ARMS WHERE I WANT TO BE

Chapter 124 IN HIS ARMS WHERE I WANT TO BE
Jaxon's POV

My nightmares came back. Maybe because I was scared that I might end up putting Nancy in danger—or maybe because I already did.

My eyes snapped open to the rustling sound of the wind hovering outside the window. The room was dark, indicating that the coming rain and howling wind might have knocked out the power.

I pulled myself up into a sitting position, my head trembling with pain. I reached out and turned on the bedside lamp, and that was when I saw the figure crouched beside the bed, her head resting on the mattress, fast asleep.

What was she doing falling asleep in such an uncomfortable position?

I slipped out of bed and made my way toward her. Picking her up into my arms, I gently laid her down and tucked her under the cover.

The sidelight reflected her troubled face. Even in her sleep, a small frown creased her forehead. Brushing the loose strands of hair away from her face, I couldn't help but mutter softly:

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry it has to be me. I'm sorry I came into your life, but I promise I will protect you."

A violent rage pooled in my chest—an anger so intense it made me want to murder someone that very minute.

I needed something cold to drink. And I needed to speak to Troy.

I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs. It was almost two in the morning. Reaching the kitchen, I found Troy sitting at the dining table, going through his laptop with a glass of water in front of him.

I moved toward him, snatched the glass of water, and downed it in one go before reaching to pour myself another.

"You're up," Troy said, looking up from his screen.

"Put Brittany on the line," I said, finally dropping the glass to take a deep breath.

"What? Why do you need me to call her?" Troy asked.

Every second he spent questioning me felt like it was dragging on forever.

"Put Brittany on the line," I demanded, my voice hard, leaving no room for excuses.

"I know, I'm going to, but I need to know why," Troy persisted.

"I have been too easy on them. I was too easy, and Emmy died. This time around, I'm going to pick them off one after another and cut their own flesh to feed it to them alive. Starting with Gary Hushman!" My voice carried the heavy weight of the rage radiating inside me.

"Jaxon, I need you to sit down first and calm down—"

"I am calm, Troy. I am very calm," I replied, running a hand through my hair.

"No, you're not. You're angry, I get it, but I need you—"

"Are you going to put Brittany on the line, or should I go find Gary myself?" I asked.

Troy’s gaze lingered on mine for a long beat before he picked up his phone and dialed Brittany’s line.

"Hey, mama's boy!" Brittany’s familiar voice rang through the speaker, calling Troy by his hated nickname.

"I told you to stop calling me that," Troy bickered before I snatched the phone out of his hand.

"Brittany," I called out.

"Boss!" she chimed in, the playful edge in her voice instantly disappearing.

"I need you to look into something and find someone for me. His name is Gary Hushman. I'll have Troy send you the details. Track him—from where he lives to the food he eats and any fucking breathing thing he meets. Once you have him, bring him in. I want to have a little talk with him," I said, my tone absolute.

"Yes, boss. I'll look into it immediately."

I hung up and passed the phone back to Troy.

"Send her his details. Now!" I ordered.

Without waiting for his response, I turned on my heel and headed back upstairs, ignoring the questioning look Troy threw my way.

I quietly slipped back into the bedroom, not wanting to wake Nancy.

She was still fast asleep, though the tension on her face had faded. I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead before heading into the bathroom to freshen up.

Nancy's POV

The loud noise from the rumbling sky woke me up, and I was surprised to find myself tucked comfortably in bed.

The dim glow from the bedside lamp reflected off the empty space beside me.

Jaxon was gone.

It was pouring outside. I let my gaze take in the shadowed room, and that was when I saw a figure standing by the glass door leading to the balcony.

Jaxon. He stood bare-chested, one hand shoved into his loose pants and the other holding a drink.

Another flash of lightning roared across the sky, illuminating the glass door. For a split second as the light hit Jaxon’s face, I saw the deep turmoil etched into his expression.

I slipped off the bed and walked over to him.

Standing behind him, I leaned in and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head against his back to hold him close.

"Why are you up?" I asked softly as he pulled his left hand out of his pocket to gently caress my hands linked around his waist.

"Nothing. I've had enough rest," he replied, his voice barely carrying any weight.

"Please come back to bed with me," I pleaded, tightening my grip around his waist before pressing a soft kiss against his back.

I felt him shiver slightly at the touch, so I did it again—pressing a long, lingering kiss against his skin. This time, he loosened my arms from his waist and turned around to face me. I immediately stepped into his space, hugging him, wanting him close.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I was just... I was just really scared. Everything happened right before my eyes, and I thought I lost Renna, and the flames—everything nearly drove me crazy, and I... I..."

I found myself running out of words.

Not knowing what else to say, I pulled back to look at his face, then leaned in to press another kiss on his cheek, my hands cupping his face.

"I don't want you putting up your armor around me. I don't want you hurting without telling me. I don't want to keep seeing you in pain and feeling useless about it. I really want you to be happy," I said to him.

But he was too quiet. He wasn't saying anything. My eyes searched his in the dim light, but I could barely read the emotions hidden in them.

Slowly, I let my hands drop from his cheeks. I just wanted him to know he could always lean on me when things got too heavy to bear. And I wanted to do the same, but he had to let me in first.

"I'm going to go back to—"

He caught me by surprise when his free arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me firmly against his chest before his lips found mine.