Chapter 62
Axle
A week has passed since the shit hit the fan, and Selena has been arrested. I must say a weight has been lifted off my chest since her incarceration. The guilt of my disconnection with Anele has vanished. The usage of Anele as a pawn in her mother’s vicious game of “catch the billionaire” is deplorable. Despite the circumstances, I genuinely desire Anele to have a full and happy life with her grandmother.
“Axle, Detective Rodriguez is on line two for you.”
Puzzlement dominates on my forehead, wrinkles on full display.
“Thank you.”
Picking up the receiver. “Hello Det. Rodriguez. How can I help you?”
“Hello, Mr. Cross. I hope you are doing well.”
“I am thank you.”
“I’ll cut straight to the point.”
I harken with attentive ears.
“While we have mounting evidence against Ms. Finch, during one of our interrogations, she has expressed she has intimate knowledge on another case currently open. She has insisted on immunity with the divulgence of this information. The caveat– she claims she will only divulge this information to you.”
“All charges will be dropped?”
“It depends if the information proves to be facts.”
“What’s this other case?”
He hesitated for a moment before he spoke. “It’s the kidnapping of Chloe Knox.”
My world came to a complete halt. She possesses intimate details of Chloe’s kidnapping. How the fuck? Was she involved in it? Was she aware the entire time and revealed nothing? Her only concern was extorting my funds under the guise of fatherhood?
“Mr. Cross?”
“Yes, yes, I’m here.”
“Would you be willing to come to the police station to speak with her to validate her claim?”
“Yes!”
“I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Thank you.”
As the receiver meets the base, Chloe saunters into the room, brightening my day with her alluring smile. My heart ceases its action, cognizant I’m the bearer of devastating news.
Taking note of my demeanor, her smile metamorphosizes into a straight line, halting her stroll towards me. “What’s wrong, Axle?”
In the most tranquil tone I can produce, I inform her. “We need to talk.”
Roaming into the police station, our hands are interlocked, signaling our unity. When explaining the details of Selena’s involvement and her request for my presence to divulge the information, Chloe’s temper was palpable, ready to rip Selena’s head off, rightfully so.
She insisted on accompanying me to the police station, which I seconded as I craved for Selena to comprehend nothing, and I mean nothing, would tear us apart ever again.
Sliding up to the front desk, I greet the officer introducing myself. “Hello, I’m Axle Cross here to see Detective Rodriguez. He’s expecting me.”
“Please sign in here. Do you have your ID?”
“Yes.” I extract my ID, handing it over.
Chloe mimics my actions.
Detective Rodriguez rendezvous with us, directing us to the fourth floor and into an interrogation room.
“We’ll bring in Ms. Finch in a moment. Would you two like anything to drink in the meantime?”
“No, thank you,” I respond with angst, longing for its conclusion.
Detective Rodriguez exits the room, leaving Chloe and me alone.
Clasping Chloe’s hand tighter, I place a gentle kiss on her knuckles, reassuring her we’re in this no matter what–together.
The door swings open, and Selena saunters in. Her smile flips when she views Chloe by my side, interlaced hands on the table.
Twisting to face the detective, she hurls in disdain, “What’s this? This is not what I agreed to. She was never part of the deal.”
Before Detective Rodriguez could respond, I explained in place of him. “This is the deal if you wish to speak with me Selena. Take it or leave it.”
Chloe’s hand squeezed mine, I reciprocated, acknowledging my temperament.
Selena’s face shifted, an evil glare emerged from her face. She perched in front of us, a malicious smile on full display. Craving its termination, I vocalize.
“Why did you want to see me Selena?”
“Why wouldn’t I want to see my Baby Daddy?”
“Selena, are you fucking delusional? There is monumental proof that I am not the father, Dane is.”
“No! No! You are!”
“Okay, I’m done!”
I rose to my feet, tugging Chloe to follow suit.
In a vile voice, she expelled, “Don’t you want to know who was involved in your precious little Chloe’s kidnapping?”
I felt Chloe’s stance freeze, twisting to face Selena. A sinister look bombed her face, arms crossed over her orange-clad chest.
“I thought that would get your attention. Sit.”
With hesitance, Chloe and I returned to our seats, clutching each other’s hands, reassuring her this was our battle. She will never face anything without me by her side.
I wave for Selena to commence.
“First, let’s start with a history lesson.”
A demented smile spread across her face.
“Did you know that your precious Chloe also has the name, Marissa? She used it while she took off her clothes for an endless amount of men for money– when she was a whorish stripper.”
“Is that it?”
I taunt her with my inquiry.
“What? You have the nerve to not want me, but you’re okay with her flaunting her body for all to see?”
“I already know about her past, Selena. Is that it?” I bark, irritated at her childish games.
Thrown off by my admission, she blinked before a devilish film coated her eyes.
“No, that’s not all.” Her eyes sliced in wicked pleasure. “Maybe you knew she was a stripper– but did you know she fucked men, many men, for money, and there are pictures of her indecent acts proving her to be the whore she is?”
Her voice flew octaves higher in the excitement of revealing these details.
Chloe’s hand strangled mine at Selena’s vicious words. Before she could react, I stood up for the woman I love.
“Unlike you and your delusional mind. Chloe and I have discussed her past, and I am fully aware of the truth. If that’s all, we’ll be going now.”
“Wait!” She shrieked in panic.
Fuck! What the fuck does she want now?
“I know who else was involved with Chloe’s kidnapping. Without my information, you won’t have a chance to discover the juicy details behind her kidnapping. Don’t you want to know who was involved?”
Chloe’s fiery eyes met hers, and I could see the rage building within them. Chloe was prepared to unleash her wrath upon her.
“Enough with the delay, Selena. I’m here! You childishly attempted to come between us again, and you failed. If you desire an immunity deal, I suggest you start talking.”
Her eyes blazed with fury, slicing thin. If looks could kill, I would be dead twice.
“After you fired me. I knew you would be mine. I was determined.”
This psychotic bitch.
“I would stay outside the building, watching you from time to time. I know we are soul mates even if you don’t, and that this.” She waved to me and Chloe. “Won’t last.”
Yeah, until you find the next rich bastard to perform your trickery on.
“One day, I noticed a man. He would arrive and sit across the street, waiting, just as I did, but his eyes were trained on Chloe. It intrigued me. So I approached him. We became “waiting” buddies.”
She laughed and utilized air quotes as if this wasn’t a serious conversation.
“As he gazed at Chloe one day, I told him I knew her and that he and I would make a great team to break you two up and have you both for ourselves.”
“You sick bitch!” Chloe couldn’t contain her disgust.
“I’m not the one who photographed all my sexual escapades here, Chloe.”
I tightened my grip on Chloe’s hand, notifying her to remain stormless, hoping to retrieve the information necessary to close her case. Chloe’s chest rose and fell expeditiously, craving to lace Selena’s face with her fists again.
“Who was he?” I questioned with hate threaded between every syllable I spoke.
The side of her lip curls.
“His name is Enzo.” Directing her attention to Chloe. “You should know him very well, Chloe, or should I say Marissa? He was one of the MANY patrons who would give you money, and you would take off your clothes. He had a thing for you– clearly.”
Craving for this fucked up situation to terminate, I expedited to the information we all have longed to uncover.
“That’s two. Who is the third person?”
“In a rush, Axle? You were never in a rush when we were together.”
“SELENA!” Slamming my fist on the table caused both women to jolt in their seats.
“After days of meeting outside and watching the two of you, someone else exited the building and approached us. They gave us some interesting information.”
“What was that?” My voice was filled with rage.
“She spoke to us, stating she saw us there, watching us the whole time, and wanted to know why? I shooed her away, but then she said you hurt her too, Chloe.”
Puzzlement consumed Chloe’s face. “Hurt who?” She inquired, unable to place a single face to the accusation.
“She said you betrayed her. I informed her of our plan to break you two up, and she said she wanted to join our little duo, making it a trio. After hearing her out, we all agreed and devised the plan. Enzo shot Axle, and we took you.”
“Who are we, Selena?” I demanded answers!
“Enzo, me and–Amanda.”
~~~
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