Page 29 of Locked Souls

It’s quiet here, and Jacob says we are safe for right now, but I wish we could be home. I built that place for my family. We should be there, raising our kids, not hiding in the shadows. Isabella needs to be brought down once and for all.

“Yeah, I was talking to my… our dad last night, and he mentioned Angel. With all the undercover work that Ash did, he never came across anything about her… I guess I'm on edge because I know it hasn't crossed her mind yet, but it's only a matter of time until Chas asks Ash…”

“Fuck, I… We made the decision to move to the safe house because Otto and I feared she would try to take Eli and Charity… My stepmother is psychotic and pure evil. The fact she's hidden as a preacher’s wife all this time, while being in charge of an underground trafficking ring…”

Shaking his head, he plops down onto the grass with a groan. “I guess I need to tell you some more secrets,” he mutters and I freeze. Chills run down my spine at how defeated he sounds.

“Is… Is she dead?” I croak, then clear my throat.

“The man who raped my sister and adopted Angel is gone. His wife too. Their bodies were found massacred in their vacation home. No sign of Angel. We don't know if she's still out there,” he whispers, and my heart stops.

“What else? What other deep secrets and confessions do you need to disclose, Jacob?”

He looks up at me, and I can tell this is no longer The Dragon talking to me, but a scared man, weighed down with the world on his shoulders.

“My mom didn't die of cancer. She was poisoned by Isabella. She needed a cover, and what better than to be a loving stepmother and wife to a widowed preacher.”

“I… I need a fucking drink,” I grumble before I walk back inside. The girls are talking still, and I peek in on Rome and Eli.

They are passed out in the spare room.

Leaving them be, I head for the basement, which we learned is furnished, and is where Ash and Snake are sleeping. There is also a bar, which is what I need at the moment. I hope they are up for some company because I plan on drinking until I pass out.

ASH

“Finish up that second coat of paint, then go inside and shower, man. I can smell ya from here,” Snake grunts at me and I nod. I may no longer be at the compound, but I can’t stop following his orders.

Leaving the garage, I don’t bother walking into the living areas. There is a bathroom with a shower across from the hall to the basement with my name on it. I never expected that returning to my family would be so damn difficult.

I knew that there would be some yelling, punches, and tears, but just being around them again, I feel almost alien.

I am not the same man as I was before I left them. I’m haunted, damaged, and I know they can tell. Spending time on Snake’s surprise has been a good distraction, but I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to avoid Jonas and Chastity, and fuck, my son.

I don’t think it’s really hit me yet that I am a dad. That one morning I spent with the people I love the most resulted in a baby. And I wasn’t even around to see him be born, or watch him grow up.

I despise Isabella, with every fiber of my being, for what she has done to me, but stealing away the time I should have had with my kid may be one of the worst offenses. Worse than the assaults and the rapes.

Stripping off my clothes, I turn the water on and step in. I'm in the process of washing my body when the door flies open and I hear his voice.

“Hey, Chastity wants to know if you're planning to hide all day, or would you like to watch a movie with us?”

My heart begins to race, and I'm at a loss of words.

“Um. Okay,” I grunt, then cringe. “Fuck, I mean, yes. I'd like that?”

“Are you asking me or telling me?” Jonas snips and I sigh. Quickly rinsing off the soap, I turn the water off and grab a towel.

Throwing back the curtain, I don't miss the look of lust Jonas shoots my way. My body is bigger now, firmer, and has ink.

“Damn,” Jonas mutters, then turns around and leaves the bathroom, slamming the door.

Shaking my head, I can't help but laugh. I can't remember the last time I did, but to see him so flustered…

Maybe there’s a chance I can turn things around after all.

Chapter 9

“He said yes,” I grunt, after walking back to the bedroom. My cock is hard, and I'm pissed off that Ash still causes such a reaction.