Found her

Chapter 39 | 'Bonding'

L U C A S

Bonding.

Yeah, right.

I clench my jaw as Jaxon walks over to me after finishing his call with Aleena, grinning from ear to ear.

'Hey, handsome! Ready?'

I groan. 'I really don't wanna deal with your bullshit right now.'

His grin drops, and is replaced by a more serious look. 'You told them we were-'

'Bonding. Come on.' I lead him towards a black SUV parked in my driveway. Travis sits in the driver's seat, hands wrapped around the wheel, wearing black sunglasses, looking as cool as ever. 'You good, Travis?'

'Never better. Let's get this done with.'

The drive to the warehouse is quiet. Not even Jaxon says anything, just gazes out of the window, fists clenched in his lap. I turn my gaze to my phone, where a few minutes earlier I was talking-

Lying.

Lying to Sadie.

I push those thoughts away, focusing on what's more important.

Killing Jonah.

Her voice rings in my head. I can hear her tutting, shaking her head. Don't. She's saying. Don't, Don't, Don't.

'Lucas.'

My head snaps up to meet Travis' eyes in the mirror. 'Yeah?'

'You don't have to do this-'

'I will.'

That puts an end to that conversation.

We reach the warehouse half an hour later. It's not a very large building, made up of only one level and a basement. Dad uses it to store extra equipment from the modeling company, cameras and lights and clothes, and the basement to store spies, or traitors, or just people who have stepped way out of line. The basement has been empty for more than a decade, since Dad is very careful about who to hire.

Jaxon and I step out of the car, give each other one last look before walking inside. The floor is filled with boxes overflowing with stuff. It smells strongly of cardboard.

We head downstairs to the basement, which is lined with cells. The stench is horrible, smelling of mold and rotten food.

I wrinkle my nose. 'Gross.'

Jaxon doesn't say anything, just walks determinedly in front of me, trying to find the cell with Jonah in it.

He stops suddenly, making me bump into him. I look over his shoulder and-

'Pathetic.' I seeth. 'Missed me, Jonah?'

He looks up, eyes wide and full of fear. Jaxon smirks. 'Don't think I've had the joy of meeting you. I'm Jaxon.' He steps forward, slowly walking until he's standing in front of a trembling Jonah. 'Hello.' He says, a fake sweet smile on his face.

Jonah looks a mess, his eyes red and bloodshot, his jaw covered in a light stubble. His face is pale and sickly looking. He's sitting on the floor, trembling from head to foot. His clothes are ragged and dirty.

I move to stand beside Jaxon and then it hits.

The wave of rage so strong it's blinding. It courses through me like an electric shock. I get flashbacks of her screams and his hands moving and touching what's mine. Ignoring her pleas and desperate calls. He was hurting what matters the most to me in this world.

I grab him by the collar of his shirt. 'Have anything to say, you son of a bitch?'

'I'm- I'm sorry.. I swear, I-'