“Thanks.” Captain grinned, clasping his hand. Axel sighed. Maybe he’d been worried for nothing. Like his mother, Cap looked good–suntanned and happy. There didn’t seem to be any hard feelings about Axel replacing him as president.
“If you’ve got a minute, I’d like to talk to you tonight. Some club business.” And Axel wanted to ask for some advice. Cap had held the role of president for years and his council would be appreciated.
Axel gestured to Charlie who walked up the porch stairs in slow motion. “This is Charlie Nash. She’s helping out the club.”
Cap raised a brow.
“Yeah, that’s one of the things I wanted to talk with you about,” Axel said quickly.
Eddie shook Charlie’s hand. “Good to meet you. I’m Eddie Rollins, and I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Her eyes widened. “You have?”
Axel felt sorry for her. If Charlie thought going through a little Q-and-A session with himself and Voo had been difficult, she was in for a big surprise.
“Dani and Lexi filled me in, but gossip is a club hobby. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” Eddie winked at her.
“No, you won’t,” Axel put in.
Cap shook Charlie’s hand. “Good to meet you. Lex is my daughter and she seems to have taken a shine to you. Unfortunately, she couldn’t come tonight. She has a huge research paper due tomorrow. But she said she’d be calling you.”
“I think we hit it off.” Charlie smiled. “Please tell her I said hello.”
Elizabeth nodded to Charlie. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Elizabeth Williams, Ryker’s fiancée.”
“Hello,” Charlie said.
His brother waved. “I’m Ryker.” Ryker draped an arm around Elizabeth, holding her against his side. And he leaned down kissed her temple. They looked so content, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Axel respected her decision to join a group of outlaws, but it’d cost her dearly. Her folks and her friends were against this marriage, and it’d placed a lot of strain on her.
Although Axel loved seeing his brother so happy, so settled. Axel remembered what it felt like. Being with the woman you loved was a hell of lot more compelling than bed-hopping. He was glad Ryker finally figured it out. Axel hadn’t gotten the chance to experience that sort of bliss for long, but it was amazing while it lasted.
Funny. Eddie and Ryker had coupled up, which left Axel as the last lone wolf. But he’d chosen that path, right? No sense in getting all mushy about it.
Eddie patted an open rocking chair near hers. “Sit by me, Charlie. I wan’t to get to know you better.”
Axel winced. “Charlie is helping out the club. And that’s it. It’s strictly business.”
Charlie stared at him with unholy mischief in her eyes. “Yup, we had a talk about our business relationship and everything.”
“You had a talk?” Eddie asked. “What kind of talk?”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened with curiosity as well.
“Never mind,” Axel growled.
Cap nudged Axel’s shoulder with his own and said loudly, “Hope you’re hungry, folks. We’re having steaks and baked potatoes and dinner’s ready to come off the grill.” Then he whispered, “That should distract them for a spell.” With a grin, Captain hurried off the porch, grabbing a platter from a nearby table and using tongs to place the food on the tray.
“I hoped we’d have longer to talk, but the food’s done. Well, come on in, don’t be shy.” Eddie opened the door and hustled them all inside. She smiled at Charlie. “You’re very welcome here.”
Axel bit the inside of his cheek. Why did he have the feeling this dinner was going to be even more painful than usual? He’d make Charlie wouldn’t get dragged to another family dinner.
While Elizabeth and Eddie set the table, Axel called the dog. His mom’s beagle, Ruby, came dancing across the floor, wiggling and whining. She was a tiny thing, no bigger than a minute, and he reached down to scratch her head affectionately. His apartment building didn’t allow dogs or he’d have gotten a dog from her litter, too. He loved beagles with their big sorrowful eyes.
Charlie knelt and held her hand out to the dog, letting it sniff her, before she petted its head. Ruby leaned into the caress and soon, Charlie stroked her sides, talking softly to the dog.
Axel was charmed by the sight, despite himself.
She glanced up at him. “I’m a dog person, but I never got the chance to have one. We moved around too much.”
“Ruby’s a good judge of character,” Eddie pointed out as she drifted into the doorway. “She hates Beauregard’s ass,” she said, glancing at Axel. “So that tells you something.”
“Yeah, he’s got good taste,” Charlie said with a snort.
Eddie’s eyebrows raised.
Axel frowned. “Don’t push, Mom…”
“Oh, honey, please save your breath. When have you ever known me to back off anything?”
She had a point. “Never.”
“Good. Glad that’s settled,” she said, clasping her hands together. “Now let’s eat.” Cap walked in with the steaks and Ryker followed him, holding a platter of baked potatoes.
The dinner went smoothly, mostly because their mouths were preoccupied with chewing and swallowing. Axel wolfed down his food so he could hustle Charlie out of there at the earliest opportunity. Most of the talk centered on his brother’s upcoming wedding, so it deflected a lot of attention.
When it was over, Axel stood up to start gathering plates, but his mother waved him off. “Head on out to the porch and sit with Captain while Elizabeth, Charlie and I clear the table.”
Axel frowned. He and Ryker always bussed the tables and did dishes when they ate at home. Especially since Eddie had gone to the trouble of making a meal.
She had gleam in her eyes. Poor Charlie. She was planning on interrogating her over dishes. “Charlie and I should be headed out. We—”
“Nonsense,” Eddie said. “I baked three pies. You can’t leave before desert.”
Captain chuckled as he headed for the door, Ryker on his heels. “Take it from me, there’s no use in arguin’ with her. She’s got her mind made up.”
Dammit. There was no way out of the trap without being rude. Charlie’s opinion of him mattered. Before he left, he bent down to whisper in Charlie’s ear. “Sorry about this.”
“Whatcha whisperin’ about?” Eddie asked, placing a hand on her hip.
“Not a damn thing,” Axel said, then headed outside. He needed to speak with Captain anyway.
***
“What are your intentions towards my son?” Eddie asked.
Charlie stared at Axel’s mother. They’d just cleared the dinner table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Eddie had arranged pies on glass stands and pulled out decorative dessert plates, which Charlie couldn’t help but admire. She’d grown up with fast food wrappers and paper plates.
She glanced at Elizabeth for help, but the redhead shrugged. “Sorry, I already went through one of these when I was dating Ryker. So tag, you’re it!”
Apparently, Axel hadn’t been kidding about his mother.
Elizabeth patted her hand. “But, if you get through it okay, I’m getting married in a couple of weeks, and I’ll put you down as Axel’s plus one.” Then, she picked up a couple of pie stands and headed into the formal dining room.
“Have a seat, honey,” Eddie said, pulling out a chair.
Charlie sat down at the small kitchen table and tried to figure out what to say. She liked Axel. And God knows she wanted to jump him. Not that she’d confess it to his mother, of course.
Eddie sighed. “Oh, I know that look. You’ve got it bad, huh?”
“I…he’s right, we’re business.” Might as well stick to Axel’s story, right?
But it didn’t feel like business to Charlie. After Cotton had tried to choke her, the first person she’d wanted to tell was Axel. Charlie realized she relied on him, wanted to confide in him. But she couldn’t. Not this tim
e. He’d warned her about Beauregard and the risks involved. She knew if she told Axel, he’d put a stop to it, one way or another. And she couldn’t give up. She was so close to getting in that vault and getting the answers they needed.
And that’s when Charlie put it all together.
Beauregard must’ve threatened Axel’s family, too. He didn’t let many people in. That’s why he was so determined to make Beauregard pay. But who was it? His brother? Or more likely…his mother. It only made Charlie more determined to figure out Beauregard’s secret. He wouldn’t get away with hurting Axel’s family too.
Eddie poured them both a cup of coffee from a carafe on the table. “How do you take yours?”
Charlie blinked, coming back to herself. “With sugar.”
Eddie added sugar to Charlie’s and then fixed her own.
Charlie was grateful for something to do with her hands. It beat answering uncomfortable questions.
“Trust me, honey. It ain’t just business.”
Charlie laughed.
Then, Eddie stared at her, head tilted to the side. “I don’t think you know what you want yet. And that makes two of you. Axel’s as bumfuzzled as I’ve ever seen him.”
She opened her mouth to lie then shut it. Despite getting the third degree, she liked Eddie. She was sharp and straight to the point. After dealing in lies all day, Charlie appreciated a no flim flam approach from other people. “Damn. You’ll have to teach me how to do that.”
“How to do what?” Edie asked.
“Short-circuit people’s defenses.”
“It’s an art, honey.” Eddie laughed. “And I’m glad you’re confused.”
“You are? Well, that makes one of us,” Charlie grumbled. Her life had been a lot simpler before she came to Hell. Sure, it’d been empty, but it was well-ordered. She drifted from place to place, stealing what she needed. Never getting involved or attached.
“That’s how it usually starts.”
“How what starts?” Charlie asked. What the hell is going on?
“Love. It’s confusin’ as hell.” Eddie patted her hand.
“Woah! Easy there with the L word. I’m not—”
“Simmer down,” Eddie said, then took a sip of coffee. “Not yet, but you’re on the road. Both Lex and Dani think you’re good people and I can see why. You’re smart, funny, and Axel can’t seem to take his eyes off you.”
Why did the thought make her feel so warm and gooey? God, she was starting to go soft. She lowered her gaze, staring at the table, hoping Eddie wouldn’t see her expression.
“Take your time and figure it out.” Then, Eddie placed a finger under her chin, raising it so Charlie met her eyes. “I’ve always told my boys not to break girls’ hearts, and I’ll ask the same of you.”
“I won’t break his heart.” Charlie would never hurt Axel.
Her expression hardened. “See that you don’t…or you’ll be hearing from me.”
Charlie nodded. Message received. She respected Eddie’s right to protect her family.
“Okay. Good talk.” Eddie stood up and headed into the dining room, once more playing the role of charming hostess. “Who’s ready for dessert?”
***
An hour later, Axel drove Charlie home.
He’d cleared the air between himself and Cap about Axel’s rise to the presidency. Captain seemed content to not be in charge, and Axel could see why. Being president was draining.
Axel had filled Captain in on the drug-smuggling plan, as well as the details he’d gleaned from Coyote’s research. Axel could see the guilt on Cap’s face, but as far as Axel was concerned, Cap had paid his dues.
Captain had volunteered to go and Ryker offered again. But Axel shut them down. They had enough men for the mission.
After he pulled up at Hades, Charlie slung a leg over the bike and started undoing her helmet. She’d been quiet the whole ride back.
“Did Eddie say something to upset you?”
Charlie handed him the brain bucket. “Nope. Everything’s good.” She bit her lip then looked at him. “I put something together tonight. Your mom. I think that’s what Beauregard’s holding over you.”
Axel started to deny it, but he might as well level with her. “He’s threatening to frame her for a death penalty crime she didn’t commit. And he has the evidence in his safe.”
“That bastard killed my dad and he’s threatening your mother, too. I’m gonna nail his ass to the wall, Axel. No matter what it takes,” she said fiercely. “He won’t get away with it.”
God, she looked gorgeous. Her hair was tousled and her cheeks were pink from the cool night air. And her fury. Charlie was on his side, his partner in this operation. She wasn’t intimidated by Beauregard. Or Axel’s role in the club. She could handle anything this life would throw it her. For a moment, he wondered if he was wrong about who he needed and wanted in his life.
Right now, Axel wanted to kiss her again, more than anything. Actually, he wanted to scoop her up into his arms and carry her to bed.
Charlie swayed closer, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Do you want to come in? We could get a drink.”
Axel knew if he walked in her hotel room, it’d all be over. He wouldn’t have the willpower to resist her. Part of him wished he’d never met Charlie. She was a complication in his life, one he couldn’t afford. Especially now. Things were headed into a downward spiral, and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
“I gotta go. I still got a lot of shit to get done,” said quickly.
She smiled, a little sadly. “You’re a bad liar.”
Axel didn’t answer her, but personally, he thought he was a damn good one. He’d been lying to himself for years. Telling himself he didn’t need anyone in his life. He peeled out of the parking lot.
Axel wasn’t sure if he was running from her, or himself.
Chapter Thirteen
A week later, Charlie was still working at her fake job.
Axel had been scarce since she’d had supper with his family. Voo had taken over meeting with her, saying Axel had a busy schedule. His rejection hurt, but she couldn’t say he hadn’t been upfront with her. He blew so hot and cold, she felt like she had whiplash. So Charlie took the hint and left Axel alone. She spent most of her free time with Lexi and Dani. And tried to keep busy.
Her throat had healed and she hadn’t seen Cotton at the manor again. Or Beauregard, which probably meant he was up to no good. But she hadn’t made any progress on the safe.
After texting Coyote and getting his go-ahead to try some numbers, Charlie stood in front of the vault and punched them in. But the safe buzzed after each try, letting her know it didn’t work. She crossed them off her list with a sigh.
Damn. This was taking forever. She wanted to finish this gig and be on her way. Maybe she should drill the door….yeah, and then she could hire an army of mercenaries to protect her afterwards.
“And…what are you doing?”
Charlie froze and her heart skipped a beat.
It was Beauregard. She’d know his velvety voice anywhere, and he was standing right behind her by the sound of things.
Charlie shut her eyes and thought her way out of this. Come on, brain. She turned to face him, twirling her hair, and pasting on an empty-headed expression.
He stood there in his shined shoes in a dark gray suit with a blue paisley tie, looking more like a CEO than a mafia boss. But Charlie wasn’t fooled by the camouflage. His blue eyes were cold, piercing. She had to be very careful.
“Just checking my makeup,” she said, batting her eyelashes. The surface of the vault was polished and black, so it offered a dim reflection. She pushed her lips into a pout. “I tried a new lipstick this morning and I wanted to see if stayed on.”
He smirked. “And my vault was the only reflective surface you could find? There are mirrors all over the house.”
She got the sense he was playing with her. “I don’t think your housekeeper likes me very much. If she caugh
t me checking my makeup, she’d try to get me fired.”
“Ah, yes, she’s a stickler.” He cocked his head to the side, studying her with unblinking eyes.
Had she tripped up somehow and given herself away? “That’s one way of putting it,” Charlie said and then winked at him, trying to build rapport.
Beauregard was having none of it.
She needed to sell the hell out of this. Charlie placed a hand on her hip and thrust out her chest, striking a seductive pose. Hitting on him was a huge gamble but she couldn’t think of any plausible explanation. So a distraction was in order. It would be harder to think with the big head if the little one was preoccupied.
Charlie grinned. “I have a confession to make. I’m…curious about you.” She got closer and placed a palm on his chest, smoothing her fingertips up and down the length of his silky tie.
“Are you comin’ on to me?” he asked. He seemed curious, but not captivated by her.
“Maybe,” she said coyly.
Charlie wanted to run away screaming, but she kept it together. Dear God, she didn’t want to bed down with her father’s killer, but she might not have a choice.
For what felt like hours, they stared at one another. Was he going to…ugh…kiss her? Or accuse her?
And then, Beauregard stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did Axel assign you the task of seducing me? Is that why you’re hanging around my office, hoping for an opportunity?”
“No, of course not.”
Beauregard crossed to the bar. “Sure.” He poured himself a clear drink from a bottle with no label. Vodka? “What’s wrong? Did your plan to seduce him fail? Maybe you figured I have more money. More power.”
Oh, yeah, he has some serious issues with women. Mommy didn’t love him enough.
“Like I said. I’m just curious.”
He cocked a brow. And from his skeptical expression, it was clear he didn’t believe her. “It isn’t that I don’t appreciate the offer, darlin’. You’re a very beautiful woman, but I don’t mix business with pleasure.”
Charlie smiled tightly, letting her discomfort show on her face. It was a natural reaction to being shot down. “I understand.”
Hell on Wheels (Four Horsemen MC Book 6) Page 15
