Chapter 148

***ANTRA***

I glared defiantly at my sister, my arms crossed tightly on my chest, ready for a confrontation. Annika’s expression was a mixture of confrontation and concern as she faced my stubbornness.

“Don't make me repeat myself,” she warned, her voice tight with irritation.

I scoffed, my temper flaring. “What do you mean by what I am doing here? This is my bedroom, I have every right to be here anytime I want.”

But Annika wouldn't back down. She stepped closer, her eyes flashing with determination. “Yes, but sneaking out is out of context.”

“Mind your business sister,” I spat, already turning to leave. But before I could take a step, Annika’s strong grip on my shoulders stopped me, pinning me against the wall.

My eyes widened in fright as she leaned in.

“I'm not done talking,” she whispered, her voice sending shivers down my spine. “And you're not going to walk out on me.”

I narrowed my eyes, a mix of defiance and fear swirling within me. “I have nothing to say to you,” I retorted.

“Oh yeah?” Annika shrugged, her hands swiftly snatching the photo from my grasp. “Then explain this. Were you or were you not going through the stranger’s property?”

I rolled my eyes, trying to mask my guilt with a nonchalant attitude. “I was. Deal with it.”

But Annika wasn't willing to let me off the hook easily. She held up the photo, her eyes boring into mine with fierce determination.

“You need to start explaining yourself, Antra. Why are you snooping around?” she asked, “Or do you want to send it to someone again?”

My heart raced in my chest, my mind scrambling for excuses. But before I could come up with a response, my sister's words cut through the air like a knife.

“I saw your message Antra,” Annika said. “You've been talking to some stranger— an unknown man named Jaxon, sending him pictures of everyone and everything. What is going on?”

My blood ran cold as I discovered my sister had discovered my secrets. I struggled against her hold, panic rising within me. “Let go of me, Annika! You have no right to go through my phone.”

“Hand your phone over now, before I lose it," she cautioned.

“No!” I countered.

“Antra,” she growled.

I smirked, “What are you going to do if I don't give it back?”

As if fueled by anger, she slapped me across the face, the sound echoing through the room like a thunderclap. She snatched my phone from my grasp, her fingers deftly unlocking it.

I watched helplessly as she scrolled through my messages, my heart sinking with each passing moment. I knew I had been caught and there was no way to talk her out of it.

My sister's eyes widened in horror as she glanced at me and then back to my screen frequently. I knew I had to act fast. I couldn't stay there, not with Annika knowing the truth. Without a word, I wrestled free from my sister's grip.

“I won't let you ruin everything!” Annika exclaimed, her voice trembling with desperation as she smashed my phone. I let out a loud gasp. What had come over her?

“No, it's broken,” I sobbed as I reached for my shattered phone, “It's destroyed.”

“Soon your bones will be,” she spat at me.

Braden stood at the entrance of my bedroom, eyes dark as he observed the tension in the air.

“What's going on here?” he asked.

“Oh shut up and do not interfere,” I yelled and bolted out of the passageway.

I knew I couldn't stay at home. Not with Annika on the warpath. With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I quickly packed a bag with essentials and food.

I bolted out the door and put on my backpack and helmet before revving up my bike. If there was one place I could go, it was His place.

***

“Oh my God, what are you doing here Antra?” Jaxon asked as he took in my disheveled appearance.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my trembling voice. “My sister has my phone, Jaxon,” I explained quickly and glanced around, “She’s onto us and she might track you down.”

He furrowed his brow, “I don't understand.”

“Didn't you get my messages?”

“No,” he said as he shook his head, “Wifi has been down."

"This just got more complicated. Come in with me,” I said.

We entered his room and he locked his doors. He sat on a chair and glanced around nervously, “I'm sorry I don't have anything edible.”

“That's okay,” I said as I beamed at him, “I brought a lot.”

I opened my bag, brought out my Dr. Peppers and passed a can to him. He shook his head.

“No, thank you,” he said and looked away. “What exactly happened?”

“I found a picture of Braden with Kara—”

“What?!” Jaxon exclaimed, suddenly agitated. “Braden? Braden with Kara? What does he look like? Is he tall? Does he have blue eyes?”

I put my fries away and stared at him. “What's going on?”

“How did you know Braden?” he queried.

“Okay calm down. He's a stranger that my sister brought in,” I started. “Some weird guy. We had a weird encounter. He ate our food and couldn't pay because he brought some non-existing notes.”

“What type of notes?” Jaxon asked.

“Some weird red notes with a wolf’s head,” I said.

“Fuck,” he cursed.

“What's wrong?”

“We're screwed,” he said.

I sat up and nodded in agreement. “I know, but still... what?”

Worry flashed in his eyes, “Is he still at yours? What's he doing there?”

“Working with my sister,” I said. “Go through your messages, everything is there."

“We need to act fast. Braden is onto Kara, I need to get to her either way,” he said and sucked in his breath.

I stared at him intently. “What are we going to do now?”