Sick For Them

Her Knowledge

Jax POV

Dhalia walks over and sits at the table. Her eyes are fixed on her phone, and she looks like she is considering something. She’s stunning, so I’m confused over Carl not wanting her.

Her dark hazel hair is now flowing down her back, but it clearly shows she hasn’t brushed it. Something about her eyes is captivating; they match her hair perfectly. She has a few freckles across her face, which I’m hoping become more prominent when exposed to the sun.

The best thing about her, though, is her confidence. Her dress shows her thighs perfectly, and I don’t care what any man says. A woman with thick thighs is to die for. Give me a woman that so many consider plus size any day over those perfect models. Groaning, I glance at my food and force my mind to think of something that isn’t her body.

“How many people have you spoken to?” I ask, needing to know if they will find out she’s safe and alive.

“None. I’ve not replied to anyone. I was thinking how amazing it is that everyone is messaging me, asking where I am and if I’m fine. Not Carl, though. He hasn’t even tried to speak to me.” She looks at the phone in disappointment.

Why does she want him to contact her? It’s wild. She should be glad he isn’t. “He was marrying you for a deal, planned to have you taken; why would you think he would message you?”

She glances from her phone towards me and shrugs. “As I said, for years, we lived together. We f*ck, so for him to go silent on the day we’re meant to marry? It feels wrong, that’s all.”

She puts the phone on the table, and Blake smiles, pushing a plate of food towards her.

“Right now, I would be getting in the car to get married,” she whispers, and she seems to be struggling with the reality of everything.

“So you two still f*ck?” Chase asks bluntly, and I groan. My head shakes at him.

Her head moves, confirming what he said. “Never really stopped; I told myself to get used to being married to a man who is having an affair. Nothing could be done about it. Stupidly, I thought him f*ck*ng me meant he cared.”

She uses her fork to push the food around her plate.

“Why the hell would you continue to f*ck him when he was in bed with others?” Blake stares at her in shock, and I don’t blame him. That’s f*ck*d *p, and she should have noticed she was worth better.

“If Carl was to get seen with a random woman, it makes no difference. My dad wouldn’t care. His family wouldn’t. If they saw me with a guy, it wouldn’t go well. Plus, he’s possessive; I was his even though he didn’t want me. My stepdad made him very aware of that,” her head drops back, and she groans. “So yes, I let him use me.”

“So you slept with him to scratch that itch,” Blake chuckles.

“I wouldn’t say he scratched the itch; he never came close.” She looks up at us. “So you guys are gay, right?” Her words have me staring at her; I hear the clang of a fork and see Chase glaring towards her.

“We’re not gay,” his words are vicious, and I see Blake shift. Chase tenses but doesn’t run; no doubt Blake has grasped hold of his leg to calm him.

“Bisexual then, sorry,” she chuckles slightly.

“No.” Chase stares down at her.

“But you three f*ck,” her voice portrays her confusion. Chase shakes his head. “So you just kiss with tongues, then?” She laughs slightly. “I came out and saw you two; I didn’t want to interrupt, so I slipped back to the room until I thought it would be safe.”

So she saw Blake and Chase kissing then. Denying it won’t work for him now, I glance towards him, but his eyes are still fixed on her.

“Look, we’re no gay or bi. We’re…” What are we? I don’t tend to label it or try to. Rubbing my face, I fight to figure out how to explain this.

“It’s just us. We’ve no interest in other guys, and we’ve never been, at least not me. We were always close, and the relationship has changed over the years.” Blake’s words have me nodding in agreement.

“So you’re more Pansexual then, go for personalities over genders?”

I shake my head at her words. “No, because we’re attracted to women, not just their personality. Look, can you not mention this to anyone?” I ask to save Chase and the vein pulsing across his temple from exploding.

“Whatever, it makes no difference to me,” she shrugs.

Chase stands up. “Maybe not to you, but to us, it matters and makes a big f*ck*ng difference. We’re not your little friends who work in a bar. We’ve got businesses and a reputation to uphold.” Chase's words are loud, and his body shakes with anger.

“Calm it, Chase. She’s not going to speak,” I glare at him, and she sits confused. I don’t blame her; we get whiplash from Chase’s mood changes.

“I won’t tell anyone. I wouldn’t, anyway. It has nothing to do with me.” She pushes the plate away from her and picks up her phone again. Reaching over, I take it. “I’m kidnapped, right? Not allowed to leave, have to pretend I’m dead?” She looks between us.

“For now, it’s better if you don’t reply. We need to figure this out. Once we get back what we need, fine, but letting you leave before we have what we want and need won’t look good.” Blake explains, and she nods.

“Well, what am I to do? I’ve no clothes, no hair brush, nothing.” She looks at us, and I glance at Chase. It should be safe for her to go to the shops here.

"You can go shopping here. We're far enough away from your city that no one will know. I'll take you. These two can get work done." I explain, and she nods.

"Right, but I have nothing, just my phone. I wasn't meant to take my cards with me, as everyone else was paying for the night. So I've no money. Can't I just go home and get my things?" She looks between us and clearly isn't listening to what we're saying.

"Your husband-to-be wanted you dead. He is sitting there right now on your wedding day laughing because he believes we're going to cut you up for revenge, and you want to go back?"

I stare at her in disbelief. Yes, I get she thought this was all a joke, but now? I thought she realised how serious this was.

"So how long have I to play dead to my friends? To my entire life? I have a job and things I need to take care of." Her head falls forward into her hands. "This is f*ck*d *p. First, my dad ruined my life, and now, the man he is making me marry. I'm done f*ck*ng hiding."

"Give us a bit of time, please. That's all we're asking." Blake leans forward, waiting for her to agree. "This is more to keep you safe than us. We know your dad has a lot of power within that city, as does Carl's family. Do you want your life back?" Blake looks at her and waits.

"More than anything, I've been trying to get it back for years."

I feel for her; I can't imagine how it feels to lose your life and your own family—someone who brought you up and is meant to protect you.

"Then let us sort it out for you. Let us fix it so that when you do go home, your stepdad, Carl, and his family can no longer control you." Blake's right. If she lets us take care of it, she will be free of them and the restrictions they place on her.

"Look, take our advice. Don't try to contact anyone from your life. Don't go home, and follow the rules. Otherwise, we may as well put a bullet in your head for them," Chase storms out, and I sigh.

"He's fun," she mutters, and I laugh.

"Like you wouldn't know," I wink, and we laugh. I watch Jax walk out and through to where Chase has gone.