Moving In

Whose to Blame

The passion in his voice surprises me, as well as the men lining the perimeter of the room. They all snap their eyes to Axel, staring at the 18 year old who would speak to a mafia boss like that.

"What do you know of love?" John spits back. His aging handsome features turned up into a nasty scowl.

"More than you would know," Axel hisses.

"I fucking dare you to say that again!" John snaps back and I am quick to act.

Pressing against Axel to stop him from charging at his father, ready to fight. "From the top you said?" I ask.

For a moment I don't think they heard me, but slowly John looks away from his son who is still breathing heavily. "Sí."

-*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-

I wait patiently, reliving the last time I told this story in this home. It was to friends, people who claimed me as family. But now it felt like I was on trial and having to defend my actions, my intent, my motive.

Axel is still plastered at my side, but I feel like it was more for him. Every time he was reminded of my past it felt like he held on a little tighter. Like he was scared I would run again.

"Mo?" John suddenly said and my eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"What about her?" I ask in a chipped tone.

"Where is she?" He asks.

I again look at him confused, "home I would assume?" I answer skeptically.

"Do you know where home is for her?"

"No..." I answer slowly.

"Have you met her parents?" He continues.

"No."

He pauses a moment, "and Eric?" He asks Axel.

"Haven't seen him since we kicked him out."

"The two of them, how did they interact with each other?" John asks his eyes bouncing between us.

"They didn't, I don't think they ever met," Axel says and I nod in agreement.

John hums but stays quiet for a moment thinking, but I'm not sure of what. And I don't like the way his mind is running

"Mo has nothing to do with this," I suddenly say causing all eyes to fall into me.

"You sure about that," John snaps, "think about this chica. She wanted you away from people who could protect you. She isolated you, manipulated you."

"She was helping me," I hiss and it's Axel's turn to hold me back.

"Blaze," a soft voice says from behind me, "I know you trust her, but there is a reason I was stand-offish around her for so long."

I try to reel back in Axel's embrace but he won't let me, he keeps us glued together, "and why was that hmm? Was it the same reason you tried to get rid of me? Why you hated me?!"

"You know I regret that," he says sternly and I manage to push myself out of his hold.

"Yeah well I am starting to regret asking for your help," I say as his father's gaze analyzes us. I hate that look, it is as if I am what he expected. I am not good enough for his son. He knew I was a fuck up, and I am just living up to his expectations.