I thought I saw a note of pride in his eyes at my resolve when he nodded and took my hand. “Grab Mad. We’re gonna go out the garage, in my truck. Ry’s gonna be right behind us.”
“What’s Ryker even doing here? It’s so early,” I thought to ask.
“I’ve had a man on the house every night,” he answered as though that detail wasn’t important to share. We’d be having that conversation later.
“Sorry, baby,” I cooed to Maddox as I lifted him gently out of the crib. His little rosy cheeks were warm and soft as I swept my fingers over his face. He looked around, his beautiful eyes clouded with sleep as I carried him from the room.
Axel led us through the dimly lit house, the first hint of dawn barely making a dent through the darkness.
Ryker caught up with us in the living room, his expression taut as he and Axel flanked me. Both men wore shoulder holsters, guns at the ready and the whole situation was more than a little daunting considering I was still half-asleep.
Ax clipped Maddox into his car seat before drawing me around and hoisting me into the passenger side, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips before shutting my door.
I heard him exchange a few words with Ryker, though I couldn’t make them out.
“Seatbelt,” he instructed when he’d slid in the driver’s seat. He looked over at me. “I’m gonna drive fast but I know what I’m doin’. Got it?”
“Got it,” I nodded, my heart thumping painfully hard in my chest.
“Good,” he muttered, hitting the garage door.
He wasn’t kidding.
The second we could clear the door, he floored it, shooting us off into the rose-colored morning, kicking up gravel as we went. I heard the roar of a bike behind us and knew Ryker wasn’t far behind.
I risked a glance in the passenger side mirror and shuddered at seeing a black town car giving chase.
“Don’t worry about it,” Axel muttered before I could comment.
He was in complete control. He didn’t even appear stressed and I had to admit I was impressed. I’d never seen someone so calm under pressure.
I, on the other hand, was about to pee my pants.
His phone rang then and he answered with a barked, “Yeah?” He listened for a moment, his eyes glancing to the rearview every few moments. “Just one for now. At the speed I plan to drive? Ten minutes tops. Yeah, bud, see ya.” He clicked off, shoving his phone into the console.
We got closer to town, hitting the main road, and Axel really picked up speed as I heard another bike’s engine behind us.
“Tag,” Axel explained calmly before I could ask.
When we arrived at the club, Axel and the guys pulled directly into the garage bay with Hank there to pull the large metal door shut before we’d even turned the engine off.
“Okay?” Axel turned to me to ask.
I managed a nod though my heart was still pounding. I climbed down from the large truck and wrapped my arms around myself protectively as Axel lifted Maddox out of his car seat.
Axel moved to stand beside me, taking my hand in his. The gesture nearly made me forget our current circumstances as my heart melted a bit. “Coffee?” he asked me quietly.
“Coffee,” I agreed.
I was surprised to see so many people already there when we entered the main room. Cole, Mack and Ettie, Cal, and Wes and Connie were milling around when Axel and I walked in along with Hank and Tag.
“How you holding up?” Connie asked, approaching with a reassuring smile and a brief hug.
“Not a great way to wake up,” I mumbled. “But I’m okay. Do we know who it is or how many there are?” I asked the room in general.
“Ry’s out scouting,” Wes replied, taking a sip of coffee, his dark gaze steady. Everyone seemed so relaxed, like this happened every day and the effect was contagious. I calmed down as well and went to grab a cup for Axel and me.
“Scar’s with Gracie?” I asked Connie.
She nodded, sitting in Wes’s lap.
I’d managed to eat something and had ingested enough coffee to fuel a jet when Ry swept into the club with a clenched jaw.
I immediately sat up straighter, watching as he walked directly to Cole and Axel, exchanging quiet words.
Axel looked over to me briefly, his face very intentionally devoid of emotion, which I didn’t take as a good sign.
“Oh, shit,” I breathed quietly to no one in particular.
“We’ve got this covered,” Wes’ voice surprised me as he moved into view and sat next to me on the couch.
“I know you do,” I agreed quietly, meaning it.
“He’s been preparing for this eventuality – even without knowing the state of play,”
“And what eventuality would that be?” I asked cautiously.
“Ax can talk to you about it,” he waved his hand dismissively before his expression grew serious. “You’re covered, Soph, by all of us.”
“Thanks, Wes,” I nodded.
“Sophie!” I heard Axel’s deep voice call from the office. “Come here a second!”
I rose to stand with an exasperated huff at his bossy bellow.
“Hey, sis, don’t let him give you any shit,” Wes grinned, lightening the mood.
“Right,” I muttered, tossing a grin back at him as I handed Mad off to Connie.
How anyone thought I could contain a man like Axel was beyond me. But I was more than willing to give it a shot.
I found Axel, Cole and Mack all huddled around Cal’s desk as I leaned on the doorway, eyeing them all with apprehension. “Okay, which one of you is going to tell me what the hell is going on?” I demanded.
They all looked up at me, surprise on their faces at my tone.
Then Axel grinned, clearly liking my sass. “That would be me,” he replied, crooking a finger in my direction.
“Good luck, dude,” Mack muttered as he and Cole exited the room with alarming speed.
“Why do you need luck?” I asked with a narrowed gaze.
“Come here, babe,” he beckoned, gesturing to the couch as he moved to sit down.
I huffed, my lack of sleep and caffeine jitters getting the best of me.
“What is it?” he pressed.
I threw up my hands. “I’m tired and overwhelmed. I’m just trying to hang the hell on,” I tried to explain.
He surprised me then by grabbing my hand and pressing it to his firm chest. “Then hang on to me,” he commanded.
I looked down at where his hand covered mine against his firm chest. Then I looked into his grey eyes so steady and sincere. “Okay,” I rasped.
He blew out a breath. “Your father has goons all over this fuckin’ town, honey,” he shared.
I felt my eyes widen. “What? Why?” I demanded.
He shook his head. “The man isn’t right in the head, babe. Who knows what he’s thinking. He might want proof you’re married. He might be making a grab for you. Or it could just be an intimidation tactic.” He snorted at the last part. “Whatever the reason, we need to take care of this shit. That includes getting rid of the men he’s sent and dealing with your father.
“I don’t imagine you want me to put him in the ground,” he paused, waiting as I promptly shook my head. “Right. Well, then my next best option is to put him in jail.”
“How are you going to do that?” I asked, feeling numbness seep through my veins. Despite everything that happened, moments like this still took on a surreal quality that I had trouble grasping.
“Leverage,” he shrugged. “Listen,” he grasped my upper arms gently for emphasis as his gaze held mine. “Me and the club well, we’ve done a lot of work to prepare for this eventuality. But at the end of the day, shit like this – it has a way of goin’ a couple of different directions. I don’t want to tell you the plan and have you panic when it doesn’t play out the way I expected. You okay with trusting me on this one?”
I loved that he knew me well enough and respected the fact that I wanted to know what was h
appening. I also knew he was right.
“Yeah, babe,” I leaned toward his body, pressing my forehead to his. “I trust you.”
“I know he’s your father,” his deep voice continued, “but darlin’, if he does anything to threaten you or Maddox I can’t promise—”
“I understand,” I cut him off. “He’s my father but you and Maddox are my family,” I added, stroking my fingers through his unruly hair.
“There’s a whole room of people out there who are your family, too,” he told me.
Tears pricked the back of my eyes as I nodded, biting my lip against the emotion burning through me.
“I would take you away from this shit but this is the safest place for you and Maddox. So you’ll stay here until this is over.”
“How long will that be?”
His answer was simple, his tone biting. “Soon.”
******
“I’m kinda bored,” Jill stage whispered.
“I’m suuuuper bored,” Connie groaned.
“You guys are so dramatic.” Scarlet rolled her eyes. “It’s been like three hours. We hang out here longer than that all the time.”
All the girls had been brought in, Jill included, for protection.
“At least we can normally go outside,” Ettie put in, flipping through one of the magazines Scarlet had brought.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, feeling responsible for their predicament.
“Oh, shit, Soph, we’re assholes. Sorry,” Connie rushed to apologize.
I shrugged. “It’s my fault. I brought all this down on you.” I looked off to the side.
“Uh, no,” Jill shook her head emphatically. “Your asshole parents did that.”
“Soph, seriously. If we played the blame game, I’d be front and center for the shit my past caused,” Scarlet spoke up. “I learned a long time ago to let that shit go. Axel would much rather have you in his life and deal with this than the alternative. So would all of us.”
“Thanks,” I offered a small smile, accepting her one-armed hug.
“Where’s the chocolate?” Kat demanded from one of the couches where she was currently sprawled, swollen feet resting. The guys had disappeared down the hall a while ago, but that didn’t stop Sal from coming out periodically to make sure she was resting.
“Here,” I smiled, handing her a piece from our stash. The magazines and chocolate should get us through at least another hour. After that, we would need to get creative.
At least the kids were entertained. Mason, Maddox, and Gracie were playing together sweetly as we looked on. Well, more like Mason and Maddox were watching Gracie toddle around, but nevertheless, they seemed content.
“Axel wants another,” I confided. It had come up a few times, even in the last few days. Once all this drama died down, I was willing to consider it.
“Cole’s getting another,” Scarlet said, her eyes bright.
“What!” Kat shrieked.
“Keep your voice down,” Scarlet laughed. “And for God’s sake, don’t get up. We don’t need the pregnancy police back out here.”
“How far along are you?” Jill asked.
“About ten weeks, still early,” Scar answered, looking over at Gracie with a serene smile.
“Congratulations,” I offered, so happy for her.
“Thanks,” she grinned.
I looked at the women around me, thrilled our extended family was about to get just a little bit bigger.
“Still wanting to stay?” I asked Jill quietly a little while later. The kids were all down for a nap in the back rooms along with Kat and Scarlet. Jill and I sat side by side on one of the couches, browsing through magazines we’d already read ten times.
“Yeah,” she shrugged. “I like it here. And you’re here,” she poked me playfully.
“I’m glad,” I smiled.
“I need to start working. You all have been far too generous already,” she sighed.
“Take your time,” I soothed. “There’s no rush.”
“We’ll see,” she answered evasively.
I was nearly nodding off myself on the couch when a commotion woke me up. I had to blink a few times when I saw Axel and Wes hauling Benjamin McKenzie across the room. I shook my head as though to clear it.
Nope, I wasn’t seeing things. That was definitely Benjamin, the son of a New York senator being hauled across the Knights’ club floor.
Axel met my wide gaze and shocked me by tilting his head toward the back rooms with a cocked brow. He was asking if I wanted to follow or turn a blind eye.
I got up and followed, ignoring his exasperated sigh.
“What the fuck, man!” Benjamin protested as Axel hauled him into a room toward the back of the club. I followed tentatively, feeling like I was invading a space I didn’t belong in. Cole and Sal both leaned against the far wall, their arms crossed. Mack, Hank and Ryker all stood to my left watching Benjamin with pure hostility. I’d never seen this part of the club. It was a simple room with no furniture save for one piece. One chair sat in the middle of the room. Despite its simplicity, its placement invited a certain sinister-like quality. I swallowed audibly and I wasn’t even the one who was going to have to sit in it.
“Sit the fuck down,” Axel ordered, shoving Benjamin into it.
“What the hell? Do you have any idea who my father is?” he sputtered, trying to straighten his white polo. His eyes darted around the room, growing wider by the moment. When they fell on me, he recoiled with shock, – his expression confused.
“Sophie? What the hell are you doing here? Did these fucks kidnap you, too?”
Axel smacked the back of his head with a resounding whack that sent his head snapping forward. “She’s my wife.”
“Wife?” Benjamin looked thoroughly confused, rubbing at the back of his head.
“Yeah, so I’d say those plans of yours are pretty much to shit now,” Axel muttered, walking slow circles around Benjamin’s chair. He was the epitome of menace as his slow, calculated steps continued.
He was in his element and I suddenly understood why he’d been so upset when he’d had to let the guys handle things before. He exuded pure menace with a cool confidence I was thoroughly impressed by. I’d always known Axel could handle himself, but seeing him like this, I understood it on a different level.
Ben’s gaze turned to me. “Your father is going to be so pissed,” he shook his head. “This was never my plan.”
“I figured, given how we got you here,” Axel returned.
“Yeah, about that,” Benjamin stammered, his eyes wide as they shot around the room.
“What? You don’t want dear old Dad to know you have a thing for hookers?” Sal snorted. “That you were looking to score enough blow to turn the state white?”
Despite myself, I nearly laughed. This was all just too freaking ironic.
“You should really think about diversifying. You’re too fucking predictable,” Mack put in, cracking his knuckles. “Coming all the way to Las Vegas for some pussy and blow.” He shook his head in mock admonishment. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m so glad our girl, Tracy, was hot enough to reel you in, but seriously, dude, don’t they have decent pussy in New York?”
I took it all in, realizing how much effort they’d put in to get Benjamin here. Even using one of the club chicks as part of the ruse. I was seriously impressed. I wondered what the plan from here was.
“What do you want?” Benjamin glared.
“I want you to deliver the message that Sophie’s already spoken for,” Axel began, stopping his slow circle to stand in front of the chair. “I want you to make it fucking clear that any future marriage is off the table. And,” he continued, pulling Benjamin’s head back so he was forced to glare up into Axel’s face, “I want all the fucking knowledge you have on her father. Anything less and all your conversations with Tracy and all the other shit we dug up on you gets spread far and wide,” he threatened, before letting go of his hair with such force that his head snapped
forced. Axel stepped back with his arms crossed over his broad chest and waited.
“You think I know shit about her father?” Benjamin protested.
“I know you do,” Axel bit out.
“If you know so much, then what do you even need me for?” he demanded.
“Proof,” Axel shrugged.
Benjamin hesitated, sweat beading along his brow as he licked his lips nervously and shook his head. “I don’t know anything.”.
“Babe,” Axel spoke to me, his eyes moving to find mine. I knew what he was saying without needing the words. This was the part where things could get ugly. Again, he gave me the choice.
I nodded in understanding, slipping from the room.
I knew Axel operated outside of the confines of the law and he did that a lot. I also knew he was the best husband and father I could have ever dreamed of. That was what mattered to me.
******
“It’s not enough, man,” I heard Cole mutter as I was getting Maddox up from his nap a little while later. They probably thought I was still in the main room with the girls, far from earshot. “It’s a lot more than we had, but not enough.”
“I know,” I heard Axel growl with frustration.
“What’s next?” Mack asked.
“Holy shit,” I heard Sal’s intake of breath and my body went rigid at his tone. “You’re not going to fucking believe who I see on the video feed standing out front.”
Chapter 19
My mother stood in the middle of the main room in her crisp designer outfit looking like a fish out of water. Not a hair was out of place, not a wrinkle to be found, yet her eyes gave away her frazzled state.
“Sophie,” her voice rang out through the large room as I emerged, holding Maddox in my arms.
I felt Axel’s warmth at my back, providing unspoken support and comfort as I moved deeper into the room.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, noting the quiet audience we had as the girls looked on with wide eyes and the men stood scattered throughout the room, watching our exchange.
Her hand flew over her mouth as it visibly shook. “Is that…?” Her voice was a ragged whisper as she looked at Maddox.
“My son. Our son,” I amended with a nod, looking up at Axel.
Axel (Ride Series Book 3) Page 15
