Page 24 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
Sobs are escaping at this point. “I never wanted to talk about this ever again. Kara and I don’t talk about it at all. We don’t relive or rehash the past. It stays where it is. In the past. There is nothing else to tell you. I don’t know anymore. I’m sorry, West. I should get my things and go. You’ve been so kind, and I don’t want to cause you any problems.” I get up to go pack up my stuff.
“Sit down, Sutton!”
This wasn’t a request, but an order. The tone in his voice was commanding and stern. I turn and do as he says. He’s bigger than Jaxon. I wouldn’t stand a chance if I anger him and make him lose it with me. Fear overtakes my body and breathing becomes so difficult I can’t intake air. The room starts to spin as I sit back down. I can’t breathe.
Oh, fuck. I’m having a heart attack.
I’m clutching at my chest, trying to take a breath when he sits beside me.
“It’s okay, Sutton, just count to ten with me. Don’t think about breathing, just concentrate on the numbers, okay?” He’s talking calmly now and holding my hands, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb in circles.
I don’t know how many times we count to ten, but finally, the pain in my chest starts to fade, and I can take a small amount of oxygen in. The room is still spinning, but I’m feeling more in control.
“You were having a panic attack, Sutton. It’s nothing to be scared of. It’s just your body reacting to everything that’s going on. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner.”
I look up at him, and he smiles. It’s soft and warm, but it’s not like before.
It’s a smile that says he doesn’t trust me.
Chapter 20
West
ThereisnowayI can tell Sutton about my life and my family now. She has just had a mother of a panic attack talking about her own experiences. Mine would put her in the fucking hospital again. This will have to be a conversation for another day. I can tell from her story that she is telling me the truth, butthe bodiesis playing on my mind.
What else did Jaxon go to prison for? What else does she know that she doesn’t realise she knows? What else was she mixed up in that she didn’t know about? She’s been to hell and back, but she still has an innocence about her that is so damn endearing.
This is bloody dangerous. Not only for me, but for her, too, if she has no idea what lurks in her past. It’s time I put my old boots back on, do some old-fashioned investigative work, and find out the real backstory about Sutton Smith. It might not be anything, but I need to be sure. I need to keep her safe.
“Everything is going to be okay, Sutton” I try to sound convincing. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying here as we planned and, in a few days, we will start to look for an apartment or a house for you when you can move around better. Okay?” She nods, still trying to catch her breath.
“I need to make a few phone calls and do a bit of work,” I lie. Standing up from the sofa and letting go of her shoulder, I place another pathetic kiss on her head. I can almost feel the lasers coming out of her eyes. I must try to remember this seems to piss her off. I walk away towards my office with a confident stride, knowing things will be different when I emerge. I pull out my phone and text my brother.
West: Hey, Brother. Sorry I’ve not been around lately, but are you up for a bit of a challenge?
North: Always, Bro. What’ve you got yourself mixed up in this time, and why do I only hear from you when you need some dirt dug up?
West: It’s a long story, but I need you to look into all the charges against a Jaxon Jacobs. He’s currently doing twenty years for attempted murder—twice—on a friend of mine.
North: Twice? What the fuck did they do to him to make him want to try to kill them twice?
West: Well, from what I know and believe, not a lot, but it’s a long story. I need you to find out what else that bastard has been up to. It might not all be on file, so I need you to dig really deep on this one. He’s one shady fucker, and the phrase “bodies and shallow graves” has been mentioned.
North: West, you do realise that whatever shit you have gotten yourself into is going to really piss Mum off. You promised her that you would settle down and run the company after Dad died. You’ve only been at the helm for six months, and you’re slipping back into your old ways. She ain’t gonna take this well.
West: Don’t tell Mum anything. I’m not slipping back. If anything, this is a massive step forward. I’m looking out for the company and its employees.
Well, sort of.
North: Okay, whatever you say. I don’t believe a fucking word of it, but I’ll find out what I can and let you know.
West: That’s great, thanks. Oh, and can you keep communication around this to email to my personal account. My friend is staying with me, and I don’t want them to see any strange texts in case I leave my phone around.
North: Male or female?
West: Does it matter?
North: Ha, ha, yes it fucking does, and I now know it’s a female. Now, this would make Mum happy, but I promised, so I won’t say a word. :)
