Page 102 of The Sound Of Us

“Mr. Saxon. Nobody’s perfect and all couples have their problems. I suggest you leave these two alone to sort things out. Frank’s a good guy. He doesn’t deserve this.”

I’m surprised I read all of that with the speed at which he seemed to be talking, but there is no way in hell I’m letting Axel go.

I turn to Axel and sign. Frank’s disgusted face catches my eye for one second. “What’s going on?” I hate not being in control of this. That I can’t protect Axel sufficiently.

“I’ll go back,” Axel says.

“No.” I use my voice.

“It’ll be okay. Frank says he’s not going to do anything.”

Mrs. Dalton shakes her head, which earns her another glare from Frank. Other than that, he’s docile, mostly. Like he doesn’t have a gun inside his pants. Like he’s not going to beat Axel to death as soon as the officer leaves.

He’s got a gun, I sign to Axel, emphasizing my signs and facial expressions, so he knows that there is no way in fucking hell I’m letting him go.

He won’t use it, he signs back.

“No,” I repeat with my voice.

Axel signs. I’ll come back. He’s pleading with me to let him go back to this monster. He has a video of us. His face is filled with fear.

I don’t care, I sign back.

I need to get him away from you.

He’s trying to protect me? At the cost of what? His life? Over my dead body.

The officer speaks. “I’ll escort you back, Axel.”

Axel nods.

I pull Axel back to me. Under no circumstances am I allowing him to go back there. Frank will have to put a bullet through my skull first.

The officer faces me. I think he’s trying to intimidate me with his badge. He’s got the wrong fuckin’ guy.

Frank has moved away, pacing, looking like an innocent victim. The unsuspecting husband who caught his husband cheating. Playing the role of the scorned husband so well.

Pepper starts to calm now, sitting close to me.

Frank comes rushing forward, but he doesn’t want to look bad in front of the officer. His face eases up. “Come home, Axel. We’ll work it out.”

I squeeze Axel’s hand. He’s not going anywhere, and I’ve had enough of this.

“Get off my property.” I speak slowly, trusting that my pronounciation is correct and the tone and volume of my voice are as intimidating as I intend it to be.

The officer glares at me and speaks to Frank. I catch one word—trespassing—before he pulls Frank away.

As soon as the vehicle backs away and disappears up the path, Mrs. Dalton sags against me.

“I called to warn you, but there was no response. I saw Frank head this way with a gun in his hand. I was so afraid. I had to call the police.”

I tip my fingers to my chin. Thank you.

“You two need to get out of here,” she says.

Axel nods. “Let us walk you home, Mrs. Dalton. Then Eli and I can figure things out.”

Chapter 55

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