Axel

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  ****

  Amelia blocked the arcing wooden knife with her own wooden blade. Sweat gathered between her breasts and down her back, soaking her shirt until it was plastered to her skin. They’d been at it all morning and her rumbling stomach said it was nearing noon. Her arms trembled as she pushed back against Kendall. The woman was bigger than her and wasn’t afraid to fight dirty.

  “Harder. Faster.” Kendall swung at her again. “Focus, Amelia! Your life has to be worth something. Fight for it!”

  Amelia struck at the woman again, only to have her blow knocked to the side, and then she felt the bruising tip of the Kendall’s knife press against her ribs. She was tired of losing! No, she thought, as she heaved for breath. She was just tired.

  She waved her hands. “I need a break.”

  “Do you think your enemies are going to give you a break?” Kendall asked, swinging at her again.

  Amelia fell to her knees. “Please. No more for right now. My arms are killing me and I can’t breathe.”

  Kendall propped her hands on her hips. “You’re weak, Amelia. You have no stamina, and that’s what it will take to get free of those men if they should catch you again. Didn’t you say you had a mate? Do you want to be taken from him?”

  “No.” Her stomach rumbled again. “But I need some food, and maybe a bit of air conditioning, before we go at it again. I’ll do this all day every day until the trap is set. I know three days isn’t much time, but I’m hoping I can learn enough that I won’t be taken.”

  Colin and Adriel faced them, their arms folded over their chests.

  “Amelia. Maybe knives aren’t a good choice for you,” Adriel said. “What if we tried hand to hand combat? I’ve been taking a few jiu jitsu and kickboxing classes. Maybe I could show you a few things.”

  “Would you?” Amelia asked. “I’m not very big, but maybe you could at least teach me how to get away?”

  “I’ll teach you more than that. But first, let’s feed that stomach of yours.” Adriel smiled. “Why don’t you ride with Kinley and me over to the diner? You can tell us a little more about yourself and what you’re hoping to get out of this upcoming battle.”

  Amelia nodded and followed them to their car.

  Chapter Five

  Axel pinned Whisper with a deadly stare. “What. The. Fuck? You said we had bait. You didn’t say a damn word about it being Amelia.”

  Whisper shrugged. “One pussy is as good as another, isn’t that what you always say? Well, one piece of bait is as good as the next, as long as it has breasts. What do you care anyway? It isn’t like she’s your mate, right?”

  Axel ground his teeth together.

  Crimson nudged his shoulder. “She looks fucking hot in that outfit. If those shorts were any shorter, her ass would be hanging out. And you know I love me a luscious ass.”

  Axel’s eyes narrowed and without thinking about it, he punched Crimson, his knuckles cracking against the shifter’s jaw. The man only smirked at him though.

  “For someone who protests so much about her not being your mate, you’re awfully protective of her.” Crimson rubbed his jaw. “Fucking her didn’t get her out of your system, did it? I think she has you wrapped around her pinky, seeing as how I haven’t seen you get your dick wet since she marched out of the clubhouse.”

  Axel clenched his jaw but didn’t respond. What could he say? It was all true. Ever since he’d been inside Amelia, the other women had paled in comparison. He’d dreamt of her every night, waking with a hard-on from hell and the scent of her in his room. And now she was bait. She could get hurt. Or worse, captured again. He didn’t like it.

  “I’m pulling the plug on this mission,” he said, holstering his gun with every intention of removing her from the situation.

  Whisper smacked him on the arm. “You might want to hold off on that and pull that gun back out. Looks like they’ve taken the bait.”

  Axel jerked around and looked at Amelia, who was now surrounded by three men. He tensed, ready to go after her, but Whisper held him back. He watched, in stunned disbelief, as she pushed her ass back into one, gripped his arm, and launched him over her head. While that one was down, she attacked the next closest, planting her foot squarely between his legs and sending him to the ground.

  “Holy fuck!” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen something that hot. His little Amelia could take care of herself! The last man circled her and Axel saw moonlight glint off metal. “The bastard pulled a knife on her. We need to get in there.”

  “I agree,” Viper said. “I’d heard she’d trained with Colin a little, but I don’t think he had enough time to prepare her for something like this.”

  “Training?” Axel watched her, intrigued that his mate had had the foresight to train for something like this. Mate? Fuck. Now even his human half was thinking of her as his mate. As he watched her move with lethal grace, he couldn’t deny that he wanted her.

  Viper nodded. “Let’s get in there before she loses the upper hand.”

  Axel checked the comm unit in his ear and then motioned for everyone to fan out. He crept up behind the man intent on harming his mate and held his finger to his lips when she spotted him. Crimson was behind her with Viper and Whisper on either side. He didn’t see Ghost, but he knew the shifter was there somewhere.

  He pressed the comm unit. “On three. One. Two. Three!”

  They sprang into action, Axel tackling the man from behind while Viper and Whisper came in from the sidelines. He let loose with his fists, pummeling the man on the ground until his face resembled bloody hamburger. Whisper pulled him back while Viper checked to see if the man was still alive. Not caring what happened to the bastard, he went to Amelia, who was clinging to Crimson.

  Axel’s beast rumbled in discontent. “Mine!” He hissed at Crimson, who only smirked and handed Amelia to him.

  “Yours?” she asked, looking up at him. “I thought you said you didn’t want a mate. That you weren’t a one-woman kind of man.”

  “Can we discuss this later? Preferably after I paddle your ass for putting yourself in danger?”

  She puffed up. “I wasn’t in danger. Whisper assured me that your group would be watching and would step in if it looked like things were getting out of hand.”

  Viper came up and slapped him on the back. “We’ve zip tied the three men, even the one you were intent on killing. Ghost offered to wait with them until the cops arrive. I think this is the one time we need to take a step back and let the authorities handle things.”

  “I don’t like it, but I can’t argue. The cops may be able to get further with this ring than we could. If these three were still hunting women, then there may be others stashed somewhere. I have a feeling they would have preferred death instead of confessing to us, but maybe the good guys can pull something out of them.”

  Amelia tightened her hands on his waist. “You are the good guys, Axel.”

  He shook his head and smiled. “Honey, whether you like it or not, I’m an outlaw. And nothing is going to change that, not even taking a mate.”

  She pursed her lips. “What about having a baby? Would that change things?”

  His eyes widened and his heart kicked in his chest. “It’s too soon for you to know something like that. Isn’t it?”

  “Maybe.” She shrugged a shoulder. “But it’s very possible that I am pregnant, whether you like it or not.”

  Like it? He fucking loved the thought of her getting big with his child. He wasn’t certain he was ready to be a father, but he liked the thought of them creating a life together. And his cat couldn’t think of anything better to do with their time than to practice making babies.

  Axel tossed her over his shoulder and strode across the street and around the corner to his waiting bike. He eased her down onto her feet before swinging his leg over the seat. He patted the back of the bike and waited for her to climb on. With her arms wrapped around his waist, her thighs hugg
ing his hips, and her breasts flush against his back, Axel realized that she was precisely where she was supposed to be. He started up the engine and pulled out, not even waiting to see if his brothers were following.

  At the clubhouse, he helped her off the bike, killed the engine, then swept her into his arms and carried her inside. He’d had every intention of going straight to his room, but Reaper, the VP, stopped him in his tracks. The man was imposing. Taller than Axel, and twice as broad, he put the fear of god into most everyone he met.

  “We need to talk,” Reaper said.

  “I’m kind of busy at the moment. Can it wait?”

  Reaper’s eyes darkened. “Did you just tell your VP to wait?”

  Axel tried to stare his brother down, but there was just something about Reaper. His gaze skittered away before landing on Reaper’s eyes again. “Let me get Amelia tucked away in my room.”

  “No. She can sit at the bar.”

  “She’s not patched! You know everyone here will see her as free game.”

  Amelia patted his cheek. “I think I can handle myself. Or did I not prove that to you already?”

  “Hell, baby. You go throwing my brothers around like you did those assholes tonight and you’re going to bite off more than you can chew. You’re not my old lady so that makes you fair game to anyone in here. And women who aren’t old ladies aren’t given the option of saying no.”

  She snorted. “Well, I will damn sure be saying no because you’re my mate, and if they don’t like that, I’ll be happy to give them a lesson in manners—with my foot squarely up their ass.”

  Damn. His cock jerked in his pants at the vision her words painted. He loved seeing his little firecracker in action, but it didn’t mean he wanted her to be kicked out of the club. If she pissed off the wrong person, he wouldn’t be allowed to take her as an old lady. Generally, no one cared who you claimed, but there were rules to follow. Anyone banned from the clubhouse couldn’t be an old lady. But Amelia didn’t understand that, didn’t understand his world. One wrong word and everything would be fucked to hell and back.

  He eased her onto a barstool and banged his fist on the wood, drawing the Prospect’s attention. “Get a beer for my mate.”

  “Your mate?” Reaper asked quietly. “Awfully big words for a man who didn’t want to settle down.”

  It was on the tip of Axel’s tongue to tell his VP to shut it, but he knew better. “Things change.”

  Reaper snorted. “Come on. Your mate is settled. Time for you to come and sing like a canary.”

  That sounded rather ominous. He followed Reaper through the clubhouse and back to the boardroom. When they entered, he noticed Preacher, Scorch, Bone, and Switch already seated at the table. If all officers were present, he must have really fucked up. What the hell had he done? Other than claiming Amelia as his mate at the bar just now, without a property patch, he didn’t think he’d broken any rules.

  “Have a seat,” Preacher said.

  Axel wasn’t about to argue with the Pres, so he sank into the nearest chair and looked at the men around the table. His heart kicked in his chest as he thought about what the hell he could have possibly done to get into trouble.

  “What do you know about the woman you fucked several nights ago? The one who marched out of here like she was on a mission.” Preacher steepled his fingers. “I know you rescued her with the others, the ones who now live with the pack, but what do you know about Amelia Juarez?”

  He shrugged. That her pussy feels like home? He doubted that’s what they wanted to hear. “Nothing. I know she shifts into something called an olingo, and it’s pretty damn cute. But we haven’t really had a discussion since we met.”

  Reaper’s eyebrows rose. “You’re claiming a woman as your mate and you know nothing about her? Who her people are? Where she comes from? Fuck, Axel! What if she’s an assassin that was sent here to infiltrate the club and take us out?”

  Amelia? “I don’t think that’s the case.” Of course, there were her fighting skills to consider…no, his Amelia wasn’t here for nefarious purposes. “She’s just as much a victim as those other women. We saved her, like you said. How could she have been sent here on purpose? Besides, she claimed to have no one in her life.”

  Scorch snorted. “Yeah, because Julio Juarez is no one.”

  “What are you talking about?” His brow furrowed. “Who the fuck is Julio Juarez?”

  Preacher slid a manilla file folder across the table. “Julio Juarez is the leader of the Black Death M.C. And he happens to be Amelia’s doting daddy. Some of his boys were spotted in town yesterday and when we questioned them, all civil like, they said they were here for their president’s daughter. Apparently, the girl’s mom took off with her when she was just a little tyke and they were never seen again. But somehow word got back to Julio that his daughter was in Ashton Grove.”

  “I don’t believe you. Amelia would have said something if her father was the president of an M.C.”

  Preacher raised an eyebrow. “Are you calling me a liar?”

  He swallowed hard. “No, but I think you’re mistaken. There’s no way my Amelia is tied up with the Black Death M.C. Those are some sadistic fuckers and she’s far too sweet to have been around them. Those sick fucks would sell their own mothers into prostitution if they thought they could make a buck.”

  Reaper drummed his fingers on the table. “Maybe she hasn’t been around them. If Amelia told you she didn’t have anyone in her life, maybe she really believes that. Her mom escaped with her, so who’s to say that Mommy Dearest didn’t tell her sweet daughter about Julio?”

  “So what does this mean for me? I was going to make her my old lady. I’d planned to request a property jacket for her in the morning.” Axel ran his fingers through his hair. “Fuck! Am I going to have to face off with her dad before I can make her mine?”

  Preacher heaved a sigh. “How does Amelia feel about being claimed?”

  “I’d say she’s all for it. The night she came barging in here wearing that sexy little outfit, she claimed me as her mate in front of Shelly and anyone else within listening distance, then kicked Shelly out on her ass.”

  “Did you mark her that night?”

  “Nothing permanent. I forgot to wear a rubber, but I didn’t bite her. Besides, I’d prefer a tattoo on her soft skin with my name in big letters. Property of Axel stamped across her back or maybe on her arm where everyone can see it.”

  “If she leaves the clubhouse, those Black Death bikers are going to find her, and possibly take her back home kicking and screaming. I say we ink her, patch her, and then you can face off with Julio if you need to. There’s no way those bastards will take her out of here if she belongs to someone. Even they aren’t that stupid.”

  Axel wasn’t entirely certain about that. Something told him that Julio Juarez could be a giant pain in his ass. Axel knew if it was his daughter, he’d want to lay his eyes on her and make sure she was okay, regardless of whether or not she was someone else’s property. Hell, if he thought the asshole she’d hooked up with wasn’t good enough, he’d even take him out of the equation—permanently.

  “Get Slim in here tonight to ink her,” Axel said. “And see if you can’t have a jacket or vest ready for her tomorrow. I don’t want there to be any doubt she’s mine.”

  Scorch grinned. “Looks like someone is going to get lucky again. Unwrapped.”

  His cat loved the thought of marking her with their scent. And the man was pretty happy about it too. With a nod to the other officers, he went back to Amelia, letting out a low growl when he saw Crimson keeping her company. Deep down, he knew the shifter wouldn’t make a move on his woman, but his beast was ready to shred Crimson just the same.

  “Find your own damn woman,” Axel growled at him.

  Crimson smirked. “But yours is so interesting.”

  Amelia slid off her stool and placed her palm in the center of Axel’s chest. “Everything okay
?”

  “We need to talk. For starters, I need to explain what it means to be my mate and part of the M.C.”

  She waved a hand. “Crimson took care of that while you were in your meeting. I understand that I’ll wear your mark, a property patch, and have to play by the rules. But he also said we don’t have to stay here, so I’m going to insist that we find a place of our own. I’m sure Gabriel wouldn’t mind if you stay at the apartment with me until we can find a little house somewhere.”

  “Viper said there are a few for sale on his street,” Crimson said. “You might check it out tomorrow.”

  “That depends on how everything else goes tomorrow.” He told Crimson and Amelia about discovering Julio Juarez was very much alive and looking for his only daughter. Amelia’s eyes were wide with disbelief and Crimson looked more than a little worried, for good reason. The Black Death M.C. was no joke.

  “But if my dad is alive, I have to see him!” Amelia said. “What if he’s been looking for me all this time?”

  “Sweetheart. You don’t know Julio Juarez or the Black Death M.C. If he’s looking for you, it isn’t going to be a sweet reunion. I’d be willing to bet that he intends to use you as a pawn to broker some deal, sweeten the pot with his only daughter. The only way you’re going to remain relatively safe is if we get you inked tonight, well and truly fucked, and patched in the morning. My scent has faded from you and they’ll never believe you’re my old lady.”

  She nodded. “I don’t like to think of my dad as some sort of monster, but if my mother ran from him, she had a reason. She never backed down from a challenge.”

  The clubhouse door swung open and Slim sauntered in, his bag clutched in his hand. The M.C. had ink done so frequently, they’d set up a small room in back for Slim and he already had a machine set up. He always brought his inks with him though. He grumbled once that if he left everything here some gung-ho youngster would decide to ink himself. And he was probably right.

  “Slim.” Axel shook the man’s hand. “This is Amelia. My mate.”