Page 88 of Shadows of Obsession

As we stepped outside into the summer warmth, Jaxon guided me toward the Jeep, his hand never leaving mine. He tossed the duffel bag into the back seat with more force than necessary before moving around to the driver's side.

On the drive back, my mind spun. I stared out the window at the passing trees, but I wasn't really seeing them. All I could see was the destruction, the holes in the walls, the shredded mattress. They were looking for his money, just like Jared said. In the back of my mind Iknewthat’s what happened.

Jaxon pulled out his cell phone with one hand, the other gripping the steering wheel. I listened as he called the police, explaining the situation in a calm, controlled voice that belied the tension in his shoulders.

He detailed the extent of the damage, emphasizing that it wasn't random vandalism but a targeted break-in. The dispatcher assured him that a unit would be dispatched to gather evidence, but given how remote his cabin was, the officers would meet him at Connor's house first so he could guide them to the scene.

When we arrived at Connor's, Jaxon unloaded the duffel bag from the Jeep, carrying it upstairs to the guest room. I followed close behind, watching as he placed it on the bed and shut the door firmly behind us before heading back out.

The weapons were safely out of sight, but nothing about this felt safe.

Downstairs, I stood in the entryway with my arms crossed over my chest, a protective gesture I couldn't seem to help. My gaze drifted toward the back door, my mind racing. I knew we had to tell Connor.

When Jaxon reached the bottom of the stairs, our eyes met. I could feel the same internal war in his expression that churned inside me.

"We should tell Connor," I said quietly.

The words carried the weight of the promise I'd made. When Connor left, I'd assured him I'd call if anything happened. But telling him also meant he'd come home early. It meant disrupting everything he was working toward at the show.

Jaxon placed his hands on my shoulders, his touch gentle but firm. He looked down at me, searching my expression, reading the worry etched into my features.

"Are you sure?" he asked softly. "You know he'll come home early if we do."

"I promised him I'd call if anything went wrong," I said, my voice steady but quiet.

"I know, Anna, but that was if it was with you or the ranch," Jaxon said, his tone rough with frustration. "This was my house, my family's issues." He shook his head, running a hand through his hair in that familiar, agitated way. "I don't want my drama to ruin Connor's livelihood by having him come back for nothing."

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak. Jaxon's reasoning made sense—it did. But the idea of not telling Connor felt wrong, like I'd be betraying his trust, lying by omission.

I bit my bottom lip, my mind racing as I weighed the consequences of keeping silent. Connor had always been protective, especially when it came to his family and friends. Not telling him about something as serious as a break-in at Jaxon's cabin felt like breaking that promise, even if technically it wasn't my emergency or the ranch's. But it involved Jaxon, and Jaxon mattered to both of us.

He noticed my hesitation, the way I'd caught my lip between my teeth. His hand moved to the side of my face, his touch gentle despite the gruffness in his voice. His thumb brushed over my bottom lip, coaxing it free.

The gesture was so tender it made my eyes sting.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. Jaxon's touch grounded me, a reminder that I wasn't alone in this decision. The weight of the moment pressed down on us both, a crossroads that demanded careful thought.

"I just don't want to betray him," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I promised I'd let him know if anything happened. But I also don't want to make things worse for you."

Jaxon sighed, his thumb brushing lightly over my cheek before his hand dropped to his side. He looked away, as if searching for the right words somewhere in the middle distance.

"I know. It's just... complicated." He paused, then went on, "If Connor finds out about this, he'll come back without a second thought. I don't want him throwing away everything he's built here because of me. It's not fair to him."

I nodded, my brow furrowing with indecision. The conflict between loyalty to Connor and understanding Jaxon's position tore at me. "So, what do we do?"

"We wait for the police to do their job," he said. "Let's see what they find, and then we'll decide what to do. If it looks like something serious, we tell Connor."

He offered me a reassuring smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. We both knew this was already serious.

"Okay," I whispered, exhaling a long breath. The word came out reluctant, a quiet surrender to a plan that didn't feel entirely right but seemed like the only choice for now.

The sound of tires crunching on gravel broke the stillness. Jaxon moved to the door and peered through the window. I followed, leaning to see past him as a police cruiser pulled up outside.

He turned back to me and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. The touch was warm, lingering. "Stay here," he said softly. "I have to go with them. Lock the door after I leave, and keep Chester inside with you."

Then he began to unholster his pistol, and my eyes widened.

He handed it to me with steady hands, making sure I had a secure grip. The metal was cool and heavy in my palm, heavier than I expected. "Just in case," he murmured.