Page 34 of Shadows of Obsession

"What do you mean?" I demanded, my voice taut with worry as I tried to pull my arm back. "We need to find Choco!"

The urgency in my voice was palpable.

Jaxon's eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, seemingly ignoring my struggle. His gaze darted between the trees and the corners of the cabin. His vigilance was almost tangible, a heightened awareness that made the hair on my neck stand on end. He nodded toward the pile of firewood stacked against the side of the house.

"That wasn't like that before," he said, indicating several logs that had been knocked over, scattered in a way that looked deliberate. "And it doesn't look accidental. Someone's been here."

I followed his gaze, my pulse quickening as the signs of disturbance became clear. The scattered logs hadn't fallen from wind or a curious animal. It looked intentional. As if someone had been searching for something or trying to hide their tracks.

The realization that someone might have been lurking around the cabin while we were inside was deeply unsettling. My need to find Choco tangled with a growing sense of dread.

"We need to get back to Connor's," Jaxon said, his voice unwavering, leaving no room for argument. "If Choco got loose, he might head that way. But we can't just rush into the woods, it could be dangerous."

Frustration surged inside me, but Jaxon's stance left little room for debate. His shoulders were tense, his gaze sharp. I hesitated, torn between my instinct to chase after Choco and the logic in Jaxon's words.

"Okay," I said reluctantly, my voice strained. "But let's hurry."

Jaxon released my arm, his expression softening just slightly.

"We will," he assured me.

My thoughts raced. Leaving Choco behind—not knowing if he was hurt, lost, or worse—made my stomach twist with fear and guilt. But deep down, I knew Jaxon was right. If someone had been there, if they'd intentionally set Choco loose, then the others at the ranch could be in danger too.

With a shaky nod, I allowed Jaxon to lead me toward his Jeep, his hand never fully leaving my arm as he guided me across the clearing. The tension radiating off him was palpable. His body was coiled tight, ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation.

As we reached the vehicle, Jaxon quickly unlocked the doors, his movements swift and efficient as he helped me into the passenger seat. The interior smelled like leather and that cedar cologne he wore, mixed with a faint trace of motor oil. I barely had time to buckle my seatbelt before he slid behind the wheel, keys already in the ignition.

The engine roared to life, startlingly loud in the quiet of the woods. I gripped the door handle, my knuckles turning white as Jaxon threw the Jeep into gear and accelerated down the narrow trail.

As the Jeep bounced and jostled along the uneven path, my mind churned with a million questions. I turned to Jaxon, my eyes wide with worry.

"Who would've been at your place?" I asked, my voice tight with anxiety. "I thought everyone on the ranch knew you didn't like visitors."

Jaxon kept his eyes on the road, his jaw set in a hard line. Both hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white from the pressure.

"That's just it," he said, his voice clipped. "No one comes out to my place without a reason. And if they do, I usually hear about it."

My grip tightened on the seatbelt, my pulse quickening with a mix of fear and adrenaline.

"Do you think it has anything to do with that trip to town?" I asked, recalling the strange feeling I'd had, the sense that someone had been watching us.

Jaxon's jaw clenched tighter, a vein pulsing at his temple.

"I don't know," he admitted, voice low and tense. "But something doesn't feel right. It's like someone was there. Watching. Waiting for the right moment to make their move."

My heart sank at his words. The thought of someone lurking in the shadows, observing our every move, it made my skin crawl. It felt like a violation, an intrusion that left me exposed and vulnerable.

I watched Jaxon's profile as he drove. His jaw was still locked tight, his eyes constantly flicking to the rearview mirror. Every part of him was tense, every movement deliberate. The black fabric of his T-shirt stretched across his shoulders, and I could see the rapid rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

"Jaxon," I said softly. His eyes flicked toward me for a split second before returning to the road.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said. But the way his fingers flexed on the steering wheel told a different story.

"Just need to get back. Make sure everyone's safe."

The urgency in his tone was unmistakable, and it sent a fresh wave of fear through me as the Jeep sped through the deepening dusk. The sun was setting now, casting long shadows through the trees. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were racing against time. My eyes scanned the tree line, desperate for any sign of my missing horse.