Denied by Destiny: Trapped in the Shadows of the Mate Bond novel Chapter 303

~ Josie ~

Deep breath in…relax your shoulders…remember I’m the one in control of my own destiny.

Bang! A direct hit.

I was leading weapons training in an hour, my nerves kicking in. I didn’t care before, but knowing Jaxon would be watching…watching and ready to criticise at anything has made me slightly on edge. I decided to arrive at the meadow, the firearm’s training location to give myself extra time to set up.

I also had to request weapons from the main armoury due to the number of guns needed just for training.

I had already set up a number of extra targets, my own attempt at ensuring that if the holder of the gun listens to my instructions, they would be able to make the shot themselves.

After tweaking a few targets, Lobo entertaining himself by chasing butterflies in the overgrown meadow, I place my gun down on the long table just as my mobile phone starts to ring.

I gasp out as Jace’s name lights up…I reach for it immediately. As far as I know he hasn’t called anyone yet.

“Jace?”

“Josie…”

“Where are you, are you okay?” My voice is fast, my need to know how is safe.

“Yes I’m fine, look I’ve left your car…” He sounds…calm, like he hasn’t put his family through the wringer with his sudden disappearance. My relief at knowing he was alive being pushed aside by my growing anger at his audacity.

“I don’t care about my car, how could you leave like that. Everyone’s been so worried about you. Jaxon even..”

“Jaxon what?”

“He…”

But I stop myself. Whatever was going on with Jace, it wasn’t fair to put Jaxon’s recent attack on Knox and his overbearing command on me on Jace’s conscious.

“Nothing….Where are you?”

“I’m just having some time away, re-evaulating things.”

“Re-evaulating what?”

The line goes quiet, before he sighs out…I press my hearing but all I can hear is heavy rainfall and the sound of traffic in the background.

“I’ll text you the location of the car.” He says in a monotone voice, preparing to cut the call.

“Wait…Jace.” I shout down the phone, not ready for him to go silent on me again for who knows how long.

“What Josie?”

“What’s going on?”