Page 67 of Shadows of Obsession

Jaxon released me immediately, his eyes shining with concern.

"Hey, it's okay. You're safe. You're here on the ranch. Look at me, Anna. Just breathe. You're fine."

His voice was soothing, a steady anchor in the tempest of my emotions. Slowly, his words began to penetrate the fog of fear, guiding me back to the present. I realized I was not in that house, trapped with Daniel. I was on the ranch with Jaxon. The horse was under control, and Denny now knelt beside me, his eyes wide with worry.

"Miss Anna, are you okay? I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen." Denny's voice wavered, heavy with remorse.

I managed a faint nod, the movement almost imperceptible. "Yes," I whispered, the word barely audible.

Raising a trembling hand to my cheek, I felt the sting where I'd been struck. But it wasn't just the physical pain that haunted me, it was the deluge of memories the blow had unleashed.

Jaxon extended a hand, ready to help me to my feet. But the moment he got close, I flinched away, my eyes squinting with a fear that had nothing to do with him. I couldn't let anyone touch me right now.

I stood and made my way to the house on unsteady legs, Jaxon following at a respectful distance. I could feel his presence behind me, careful not to crowd me, giving me the space I needed, even as my shoulders shook with silent sobs.

In the kitchen, I stood at the sink, my hands moving mechanically under the warm stream of water. Dirt swirled down the drain, but my tears kept flowing, mingling with the running water. My eyes, glassy and unfocused, stared blankly ahead as I went through the motions of cleaning myself.

I grabbed a washcloth and rubbed grime from my arms before gently pressing it to my face, wincing slightly at the sting where I'd been hit.

The physical pain was a mere echo compared to the emotional turmoil raging inside me.

"Anna."

Jaxon's voice was soft, and I felt him take a tentative step closer. Slowly, he closed the distance until his chest brushed against my back. He paused, and I neither pulled away nor flinched at his proximity.

Carefully, Jaxon placed his hand over mine, stilling the washcloth I held to my face. His other arm wrapped around my waist, holding me in a tender embrace as he rested his cheek against my temple.

"I'm here," he murmured. "You're not alone. I'm right here."

The tension in my body began to melt away, his touch offering a sense of safety and comfort I desperately needed.

Reaching around me, Jaxon gently turned off the sink before tightening his embrace. "Come on," he urged softly, guiding me toward the den. "Let's sit down."

He led me to the couch, settling down and pulling me into his lap so I sat sideways, cradled against his chest. His hand found its way to my back, rubbing soothing circles as I nestled into his warmth.

"I had a flashback..." My voice was barely above a whisper, but it shattered the heavy silence that had settled over us.

"I know." Jaxon spoke softly, his cheek resting atop my head. "It's over now. You're safe."

I nodded against his chest, but my shoulders tensed as I continued, "It was when Daniel—"

"Shh." Jaxon squeezed my middle, pulling me closer as his lips brushed my temple. "You don't have to tell me."

"I think it would help," I admitted, my voice cracking.

Jaxon nodded, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Okay, I'm here. You can talk to me. I'm listening." His fingers combed through my hair, the rhythmic motion soothing me as I prepared to open up.

I drew a shaky breath. "It was when Daniel... he was screaming at me. I just wanted to go to work, to have something of my own, you know? But he didn't like that. He said I belonged to him, that I wasn'tallowed to leave the house without his permission." I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on Jaxon's steady warmth surrounding me.

Jaxon held me closer, his grip firm but not constricting, a silent reassurance that I was safe to continue. His hand never ceased its comforting movement along my back.

"He... he backhanded me. Hard. Across the face," I went on, my voice trembling. "It knocked me to the ground. He yelled at me, said I was being ungrateful and that I should be happy with what I had. It was... it was horrible."

Jaxon pressed his lips to my temple again, whispering words of comfort. "I'm so sorry you went through that. He had no right to treat you like that."

I nodded, tears rolling down my cheeks. "I felt so helpless, like I was trapped. He was towering over me, screaming, and I couldn't do anything but lie there and hope he'd stop."

Jaxon's tone remained gentle, despite whatever he was feeling. "You're not there anymore, Anna. You're here, with me. With people who care about you. He can't hurt you anymore." He squeezed me again, reinforcing the message of safety.