Having Fayth

Guilt

Fayth

Sweat ran down my back as my fists made contact with the punching bag. I've spent every free moment I've had either here or the range when I'm not talking to the police to try to find Christie's whereabouts or ask about the case against Blain in my father's murder.

He claims he didn't do it, but I've come to realize that people aren't always how the present themselves to you. According to the police, he had motive, opportunity, and the means. He admitted to fighting with my dad earlier in the night. He's known to have a temper when pushed enough. He was covered in my father's blood. The murder weapon was found in his bed, and he has no knowledge of how the event took place without waking him. There were no signs of forced entry or of anyone else being in our home at that time.

Do I think he's guilty?

I don't know.

But what I do know, is whomever killed my father will pay dearly at my hands... no one else's.

The guilt for not reaching out to my father, after he found Blain and I, is eating me up inside. The only way to stave off the unwelcomed emotion is to go to the gym until my bones hurt.

I knew he left on business when Axel came to get me and I've grown used to him being gone, but I was also aware that he would return soon, and I didn't call. I was angry and hurt. You never think about it being the last time you will ever speak to someone you love until it's too late. Part of me hates Blain for it. It was my decision, but the way he just left afterwards claiming it never meant anything, walking out of my life... it broke something inside of me and I couldn't even look at my father without the events rushing through my head. It tore me up every time.

If I could just find Christie and get this gnawing feeling in my chest to subside, I could handle what needs to be done. They say there is no victory in revenge, but justice served in cold blood sounds fitting.

"Hey, beautiful," Axel comes up from behind me and wraps his arms around my stomach kissing on my neck.

I rolled my eyes while turning in his embrace, "I was training. Why did you stop me?" I asked before he dropped his lips to mine for a quick kiss.

"hmm?" he hummed in response "you've been in here all week, are you ok, sweetheart?"

I glared up into his eyes expecting to see the heated gaze that typically roams my body, but all I see is concern and for some reason it makes me feel unnerved. "What are you playing at?"

He looked surprised for only a moment before his signature smirk took up residency on his face. "what's the matter, angel? Am I not allowed to be concerned? Would you rather I was trying to bend you over right here, rip those cute little spandex off your tight little body, and ravage you like the Beast matched to your Beauty?" His fingers skimmed my throat in a promise of dark delights whispering to every dirty desire my twisted mind could come up with but, took its place cupping my cheek gently caressing with the rough padding of his thumb. His lingering stare intensified as he studied me. "You're still hurting, little one. What can I do to help?"

I'm surprised by his worry and the quiet nature of his touch. It's so unusual to see him in a serious light and it drags up the memory of when we left the police station that morning only adding to the guilt I felt.

"I'm not going to lie, sweetheart, I almost thought you would kill him." Axel said smugly as he opened the car door for me.

In my anger, I felt he needed to be brought down a peg and deserved warning of his own. I turned to him dragging my nails down his jaw like a smooth caress with a contemplative smile. "You liked that huh?" I asked teasing him just a bit. He looked entranced in my eyes, like I was offering him an all seasons pass to the adventure land of treasures and riches beyond his wildest imagination if he only gave me a tiny piece of his soul. I slid my hand around his throat, my nails biting into his skin. "I'll give you the same warning, Ax. Whomever killed my father will pay with their life." I squeezed a bit harder to prove my point and glared deeply into his eyes, but he only met my glare with a soft smile.

"Blood for blood." He nodded his head. I waited a moment longer to read him before I retracted my hand from his throat and stepped into the car.

He looked over towards Ren with a smile, "The kitten has claws."

"Sweetheart, where'd you go?" he asked confusion etched into his expression. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and thought about if I should apologize, but after thinking it over I wasn't sorry for what I said. I was only sorry for the way I said it and I'm not about to dredge it up when he's looking at me like a broken, priceless gift. "Don't worry about it, Ax. I'm fine."

His brow raised in challenge, "You're fine huh?" he asked pulling me closer by my hip, sealing my body against his and lowering his mouth to my cheek. A butterfly's beat of its wings could be compared to the softness of the kiss he let linger there and whispered in a deeper tone, "you're a horrible liar, Fayth." My name was a growl as it rolled off his tongue and spoke to a quivering need that creeped from low inside me.

My eyes shot to his, gaping at him. "What makes you think I'm lying?"

He closed my mouth with the crook of his finger against my chin and kissed my lips in a soothing embrace. His tongue requesting entrance which I allowed in an instant. The smoky mint and vanilla overtook my senses, and my fingers made their way to his hair. I pulled him in and swallowed his groans. They were like fuel to the fire I couldn't put out, so I decided to burn the world down.

I slipped one hand down his chest feeling his muscles flex under my fingertips. His pecks bunched and his abs shuddered. I moved lower, capturing his tongue between my lips as I sucked, and my hand made contact with his firm bulge in his pants. My body heated and I pushed myself into him further, before he bit my bottom lip with a growl, "Naughty girl" he chuckled smacking my ass and making me wince with a moan of my own. "You can have this" he squeezed my hand over the prominent mass hidden behind too many layers of clothing for satisfaction. "When we get back." He grinned removing my hand from his lower body. "Go get changed. I'm taking you out."

I looked back at him a little disappointed that he had cut me off. Weren't men supposed to jump at the chance to have hot nasty sex with their girlfriends? Did I smell bad? I unconsciously gave my pits a sniff. I could stand a shower, but it wasn't off putting. I scrunched my brows at him and opened my mouth to question.

"Don't over think it, gorgeous." He shook his head and laughed. "Just change into street clothes. I'm just taking you on a little date to get your mind off things for a bit."

"but" I tried again.

"Now, Fayth." He commanded in a soft groan.

I looked at him skeptically, but when he just smiled back in kind, I nodded my head with a small smile of my own and made my way to our room.