I lift Axel’s arm off my belly and walk across the room to the bathroom. Pausing to look over at his sleeping form; the dark sheets rode low on his naked hips. He has one arm over his abdomen and the other stretches out under my pillow. The desire to crawl back in bed and cuddle close is strong but I need to hurry so I can make my plans with Dee and be home early enough for dinner. Once Dee and I get talking, I know I won’t be home anytime soon.

I pull on my favorite pair of black leggings and an oversized knit sweater. Grabbing my black boots I walk out of the closet and almost collide with Axel. I look him over from head to rock hard dick to toe. Good enough to eat.

“You’re killing me, Ax! You know I have to get going before Dee starts knocking the doors down here. It should be illegal for you to look that good in the morning.” I brush my hand down his stomach and grab a hold of his dick, stroking him lightly a few times. “I love how hard you are for me.” I kiss the corner of his lips and step away before he can grab me.

A low rumble sounds from his lips. “You remember this moment tonight when you’re begging me to let you come. Going to keep you right on the edge for hours. Hours, baby.” He swats my butt before walking into the bathroom and turning on the shower. “Call me when you get there.” He yells over the spray of the shower.

“Will do, love you!”

My phone rings on the way over to Dee’s house. I answer and press speaker before placing the phone back down. “Hey you! Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, baby girl.” Greg deep voice comes through the line. “Missed you yesterday.”

I feel a little bad about closing our friends out yesterday but with it being our first Christmas back together, plus one that was so full of special moments for us as a couple, it didn’t feel right to open it up for everyone. “I know, G. I missed you, too. I’m on the way over to Dee’s house now if you want to come meet us for lunch. I’ve got your gifts in the car. Plus, I’ve got some news for you.” I smile when the line goes silent. I know Greg, right now he is probably picturing every kind of ‘news’ I could possibly have for him. He might correctly guess one but there is no way he would guess them both.

“Wouldn’t miss it, baby girl. I got some work to finish up before I head over. Give you and Dee some time to do your thing.”

“Sounds good. I’m glad I get to see you today. I was just telling Ax last night that we needed to have y’all over for dinner.”

“Something tells me Reid didn’t want to share your time, right?”

“Ah…something like that.” I laugh and we continue with the small talk before hanging up.

I try calling Dee to let her know Greg is coming but she doesn’t answer. I brush off the flicker of worry that floats across my skin. Knowing Dee she is still in the bathroom with the music cranked up to ungodly levels while she gets ready.

I pull up into the driveway of my old home with Dee and climb out. It is a beautiful morning. The sky is clear and blue and the winter chill is blowing softly. There was talk of snow this weekend but knowing Georgia weather, it would change a few times before the weekend hit and there would be no snow. My hair is flying around my head when a strong gust hits my face causing me to shiver. Pulling my coat tighter to my body, I walk to the back of my car.

I walk to the trunk and gather all the gifts I have for Dee, leaving the ones for Greg to get later. My hands are full enough with the things I have for Dee.

Walking up the small walkway I pause to pull my keys out of my pocket. If she were up she would have already come running out the door like a cheerleader on crack. I drop a few of the packages in my arms before I am able to pull my keys out of my waistband. Shit! I forgot to call Axel. Pulling my phone up, I press his name and wait for it to start ringing as I push my key in the lock. It clicks but before I can open the door it swings wide and I meet the disturbing brown eyes of my ex-husband.

“Hey, Princess.” I hear coming through the line.

Brandon smiles, his cold and evil smile.

“You there?” I hear calling from far off. My body is frozen in terror.

“Hello there, Isabelle.” Brandon says. There is so much control in those three words but they are heavily laced with menace.

All of the packages fall from my arms, joining my phone on the front steps.

“Izzy!” I hear right before Brandon reaches up and slams his fist into my temple, causing the world around me to fade into black.

God! Why does my head hurt? Shit. I roll over but stop when my head starts to pound. Why don’t I remember what happened?

“Ah, Isabelle. Glad you could join us.” My eyes snap open and I look around Dee’s living room. It all comes rushing back and my blood turns to ice when I look up and see Brandon standing over Dee. He’s got her arms tied behind her back and a piece of tape slapped over her lips. Her eyes are wide and terrified. I can already see a bruise forming around her cheek and her hair is pulled to the side of her ponytail.

She tries to stay strong but there are dried tear tracks all over her face.

“This little bitch was nice enough to invite me in. Nice to know her manners aren’t lacking. I was just asking her a few questions about my lovely wife, when you drove up. Thank you, Isabelle for making it so easy to find you.” He shakes his head back and forth and begins pacing in a tight line behind Dee. I move my eyes from his face to hers and check on her again. I can see her pleading with me not to do anything stupid. Her eyes are wide and she keeps shaking her head softly.

“You’re little boyfriend has been causing some trouble, Isabelle. I warned you what would happen if he didn’t back off. I wonder how long it will take that motherfucker to come riding to the rescue, hmm?”

His pacing continues and when Dee lets out a soft whimper, his hand shoots out and backhands her hard across the face. She falls back off the couch and doesn’t move.

That was all it took to snap me out of my shock. “You bastard!” I scream and go to move from my spot on the floor but stop short when he trains the gun on me.

“Oh no, I wouldn’t do anything rash. My dear wife seems to have forgotten her place in the world. We can’t have that now, can we? You sit the fuck down and shut up, you stupid whore.”

I pause in my motion but quickly scan the room. There has to be another way. I won’t let him win. He controlled me for too long and I am finally happy. Fate is finally on MY side. I steady my resolve and straighten my spine. I will win.

I go to get up again when he walks quickly over to me and grabs me by my loose hair. He bends down and brings his face right up to mine. His words are harsh and he spits all over my face when he speaks. “You little slut. You think you can run around spreading your legs for another man. You are mine! Do you hear me Isabelle! I won’t let that bastard touch what is MINE!” He screams. My hair feels as if it is being ripped from the roots when he begins to pull me to my feet.

“Please Brandon, please leave us alone. What do you want? Money? I can get you plenty. Please leave.” I beg. My only thought is getting free and getting Dee and my baby safe from his insanity.

He swings his wild eyes on me and throws his head back. The sound that comes out is animalistic and has me scared out of my mind. The chill of dread rocks through my body, all the way to my bones.

“You think I’m going to let him have you? Oh no, Isabelle. What you need to understand is that you will never get rid of me. He thinks he can take you from me? He can try but he will be swimming through a sea of bullets before I let him get those vile hands on MY WIFE!” I can see the control in his eyes snap and it’s like watching a light go out. This is not my ex-husband. The irrational madness has taken over any common sense and chance of reason I could have made with him. “I’m going to make him watch you when I bend you over my knee and punish you for all the shit you have caused. I’m going to rip your clothes from your body and make him watch me take you for all the shit HE caused. That’s right,” he says when my eyes widen; “You think I don’t know it was him who has the police barking at my heels? And then, do you know what will happen next?” He doesn’t even blink when he pauses. That malevolent smile forms and his face is transformed from his normal somewhat handsome look to one of pure evil. “Then I’m going to put a bullet through your fucking heart while he watches. While he is helpless to stop me.”

Even with the fear coursing through my body, I know I have to get away from him. He’s blocking the hallway to the front door but not the one off to the kitchen. It’s risky but I might be able to get away quick enough to hide. I know Axel is coming and that has me more afraid than the mad man standing in front of me with a gun.

A low moan sounds from the couch and I see Dee start to stir. Shit! I can’t leave Dee.

“Why, Brandon?” I ask, hoping to distract him from Dee. I have to keep him focused on me.

“Why? Because that motherfucker ruined everything! I was finally going to have it all and he had to ruin it all! I won’t let him take you too! YOU ARE MINE!” He screams. He brings his hand up and starts pulling at his hair and banging the handle of the gun against his forehead before leveling it back on Dee.

He’s completely lost it. There isn’t an ounce of humanity left in this man.

His pacing continues. He moves slightly from the open hallway but he doesn’t move his gun from Dee’s body. I see a shadow cross the threshold and my heart picks up speed when I realize who it is.

Greg.

Oh God no! I’m going to lose everyone I love in one moment if Brandon sees him. He holds his finger up to his lips. He taps his wrist and then cocks his head toward the kitchen silently telling me to run when he makes a move.

My heart is going to stop. There is no way it can beat this rapidly and not just give out. Dee’s eyes are wide. She looks over at me and I can see the fright in her alarmed brown eyes.

I bring my hand to the side and motion to her to wait then bug my eyes toward the kitchen. Her legs aren’t bound and if she can run, we might be able to get out of this room.

We wait in stone cold fear while Greg inches closer to Brandon but before he can reach him Brandon spins around. He seems to pause for a second in confusion and that’s all it takes for me to jump up, grab Dee by the arm and pull her with me as we run into the kitchen. I hear the sounds of them colliding behind me as we take off.

The sound of the gun going off causes me to falter. I push Dee behind the island and look around for some form of protection. Damn! The knives are by the open doorway we just ran through. The only thing I can see is the cast iron frying pan left on the oven from Dee’s breakfast. Thank God! Picking it up I test the heaviness of the metal out in my hand before holding it down to my side. I bend down and check on Dee. She is shaking but seems okay. “Get under the desk and don’t you move.” I tell her. I make quick work of the knot behind her back before letting her move from my side.

I watch her scurry around the far side of the island and burrow under the desk built into the wall. I push the chair in behind her and cover her body the best I can.