Until Arden

Once Jax and Nico arrive, everything passes in a blur, as my brain shuts down and goes on autopilot to keep up with their questions. Last name? Number he used to call? Dates... Locations...

My phone vibrates in my hand, and I jump. I’d nearly forgotten I was clutching it, but when I glance down, I feel my hands tighten around the small device until my bones feel close to breaking.

Unknown: You thought blocking my number would get you off the hook? Say hi to your boyfriend.

I see Dash’s hand, trying to remove the phone from my grasp. I hear voices around me. But it’s all so disconnected and far removed from me, none of it seems real.

The memory of Shane slamming a cooking sheet into my stomach for eating the last biscuit, however, is very real.

“Ari.” A hand squeezes my shoulder. “Can I see the phone?”

I drop my hands into my lap, and the phone seems to float away.

He knows.

He knows where I am and what we’re doing.

He knows about Holden.

Dash kneels in front of me, but he still seems like an illusion. “Arden?”

“I can’t do this.” Whether the person in front of me is real or not, I dive forward burying my face in his shoulder. The faint traces of cologne and... Dash... Bring me back to the present.

My fingers dig into his shoulder. I remember the way his skin felt against mine when we shared his bed. I feel his warmth, and the texture of his t-shirt.

Dash rubs my back, and his breath caresses my neck.

I stand and lunge for the door. I need to get Holden and leave, but three men block my path from either direction.

“Arden, honey, you’re safe. Holden is safe.” The older of the men steps toward me.

This is it. I’m going to lose everything, starting with my mind.

“Ari. Look at me.” Dash’s arms pull me into him, and the sensation finally grounds me back in reality. I can feel him breathing and hear the rhythm of his heart.

I cling to Dash like my life depends on it. “What are we going to do?”

“You can stay here so you’re not alone. I have a security system and cameras set up.”

I feel like he told me this earlier.

“You and Holden can take the bedroom and I’ll take the couch until we deal with him.”

Jax steps up, next to Dash. “We’ll also put someone on the house while you’re here. If you need to do anything outside of the house, you won’t be alone, and neither will Holden. I have his court records and mugshot, and I’ll pass it around so we all know who we’re looking for. When he shows his face, we’ll deal with it.”

I don’t have it in me to argue, so I nod and collapse back into my seat.

The men pass another phone around, and when Dash looks at the screen, the color drains from his face.

“What now?” I don’t really want to know. I’m not sure I can take another kick to the gut right now, but I also can’t stand the not knowing.

“Joe,” he says on a breath, but I don’t think it’s a direct answer to my question.

“Shane’s middle name is Joseph.”

Setting his jaw, Dash looks at me over the phone, then hands it back to Jax. He swallows and closes his eyes. “He’s definitely here. He’s working as an apprentice for the local electrical workers union, and he’s been to the site we’re working on.”

“You’ve talked to him?” Jax asks.

“I tried not to, but he’s the one who left the fucking screwdriver in the doorway when we were bringing in a custom countertop.”

I lick my lips, trying to hold it all together.

“It’s going to be okay, baby.” Dash pulls me against him, and I feel his lips graze my forehead.

He’s the only thing holding me together right now.