Fever

by Carnal, MJ

  He takes the coffee mug and spins it around. I watch when the clouds clear and his jaw drops in shock. He looks up at me, down at the coffee mug, to my belly, then back to my face before returning his eyes to the mug he is holding reverently in his hands. He sits there, his head bowed, and just looks at the mug. I picture it in my mind, knowing what he is seeing, and a small smile tugs at my lips.

  The gray mug has a copy of the first ultrasound picture on it, and underneath the picture, it says, ‘#1 Dad – Coming This Summer’.

  He is silent for so long that I start to worry. Oh God, I didn’t think what I would do if he isn’t happy about it. I can’t stand the thought of being without him, but if he doesn’t want our baby, I would have to learn.

  “Axel?” I question.

  He sets the mug down on the coffee table before climbing to his feet. I don’t catch his expression before he wraps his arms around me softly and holds me close. I still can’t judge his mood or feelings about becoming a father. The worry inside me is starting to take root and I feel like I might be sick.

  “Princess…” he whimpers. His giant body starts to shake slightly under my arms, and I realize he is too overcome with emotions to talk right now.

  I hold him and he holds me. I can feel his tears wetting the skin through my shirt. My own are coming freely. He leans back and looks into my eyes, bringing his arms around and wiping his eyes clear.

  “A baby? You’re having my baby?” he says in astonishment. “We’re having a baby?” he repeats, a huge smile coming over his face. “We’re going to have a baby!” he booms through the living room and picks me up in a tight hug before spinning me around.

  I laugh at his liveliness.

  He drops me to my feet again and slams down to his knees, pulling up my shirt and pressing a soft kiss to my flat stomach. Splaying his hands wide across my belly, he whispers to the skin, “We’re going to love you so much, little one.”

  I hiccup on a sob and run my hands through his hair. He looks up at me with his bright emerald eyes full of peacefulness and blinding love.

  “We’re having a baby.” He wraps his arms tightly around my middle and holds me close with his head against my stomach.

  I hold his head to my skin and echo back to him, “We’re having a baby.”

  Chapter 20

  I still can’t believe it. Not only am I engaged to be married, but our baby is growing inside my body. Once Axel was over his shock, we spent the rest of the day in bed, celebrating as he said. I can’t say no to him. He is over the moon, and I want that closeness only he can give me. We fell asleep well after midnight, his arm draped over my stomach, holding my belly with his large hand.

  My phone starts buzzing the next morning, reminding me that I set my alarm so I could get up and over to Dee’s before it got too late. Axel and I have plans to go to dinner tonight and celebrate—with clothes on this time.

  I lift Axel’s arm off my belly and walk across the room to the bathroom. Pausing to look over at his sleeping form, I see that the dark sheets are riding 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 ahold 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’s 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 flies 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 gather all the gifts I have for Dee, leaving some 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.

&nb
sp; “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.

  “Your 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 a 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 had 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 quickly enough to hide. I know Axel is coming and that has me more afraid than the madman 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.

  Moving back to the center island, I brace my legs apart and wait. I don’t know who is going to come around that corner but I’m ready. I won’t let him win. I won’t let him take my happiness.

  It’s time that I remember what is important and fight for the future I want.

  The future I deserve.

  The future I have earned.

  A future with Axel and our baby.

  With an evil laugh, I hear him and my fears are confirmed. Oh, God. Greg!

  “Oh, Isabelle? Come out, come out, wherever you are!” He laughs again before stumbling into the kitchen. “Where is that little bitch friend of yours, Isabelle?” He cocks his head to the side, and I notice that his left arm is hanging at an odd angle and the gun is missing.

  I feel slightly better knowing Greg was able to put up a fight. The fear for Greg bubbles back up, but I push it back and straighten my shoulders.

  I won’t let this man win.

  Never again.

  “Where is Greg?” I ask, shocked that my voice sounds strong and sure.

  “Don’t you worry about him, Isabelle.” He takes a step forward. There are only a few more steps before he will have rounded the island. “Come here, bitch.” he spits out.

  “No.” My voice sounds powerful in the stillness of the house.

  “You’re going to be sorry for that.”

  He lunges forward but doesn’t make it far before I swing wide and crash the frying pan against his skull. He looks into my eyes in confusion before crumpling to the floor. I throw the frying pan to the side and jump over his fallen body.

  I run into the living room and almost fall to the floor when I see Greg’s still form and the pool of blood forming under his chest. Choking on the sob that escapes my mouth, I begin to frantically look for the gun. I get on my knees and search under all the furniture before finding it in the far corner of the room tucked under the couch.

  I try a few times to rea
ch it before I finally succeed. Right when my hands wrap around the handle, I hear him. Before I can straighten from the floor, my hair is gripped in his strong hands and he throws me towards the far wall. My body collides with Greg, who doesn’t move even with the force of my weight slamming into him. His warm blood soaks through my side.

  I look up into Brandon’s disturbing face and smile when I feel the cold medal of the gun still in my hands. He takes a step forward but stops when I raise the gun level with his chest.

  “Fuck you!” I scream and pull the trigger, empting every bullet into his chest.

  I can hear Dee screaming from the other room, but before my arm falls back down, I overcome with the overwhelming fear running through my veins and let the numbness take over my body. I vaguely hear the gun hit the floor before I slump back against Greg’s body and the darkness rolls back in.

  ~~*

  (Axel)

  “IZZY!” I scream again into the phone. I run down the stairs and jump into my truck. When I heard her ex-husband’s voice coming through the line instead of Izzy’s, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. For days we have been searching for him. Not one goddamn clue to where he has been, and the second she is out of my sight…the worst possible situation is playing out and I am helpless. There is no way I can get there quick enough.

  I grab my phone while I tear out of the driveway and call Greg, the only one I can think of who will be close enough to save my girl.

  “What’s up, Reid? Just talked to —”

  “Shut up. Where the fuck are you?” I interrupt.

  “Damn. On my way to Dee’s house. Izzy ca—”

  “Brandon is there,” I interrupt again. I don’t have time. Izzy doesn’t have time.

  “What?” All teasing has left his voice now.

  “Just got a call from Izzy but it was him I heard over the line. I didn’t hear her once, Greg.” I take a second to calm down before I’m able to continue. The fact that I don’t know if she is okay is not lost on me. “I’m too far out. Get there. God, please get there and save my girl.” I don’t even realize that tears are rolling down my face until I hear the anguish that colors my words.