Page 25 of Axel

I wasn’t going to kill Chuck. I wanted to, but I wouldn’t jeopardize my future with Ivy over someone like him. I did, however, have every intention of pounding his face in until he was no longer recognizable. What he had done to the Twisted Kingdom Clubhouse was personal. He attacked my family and everything we stood for when he stepped foot onto our property and lit that fire.

I didn’t need evidence as that cop said. I had all the proof I needed in his threats.

Kicking down my bike’s kickstand, I switched on the engine and stretched my legs out before preparing myself for the ride I was about to take. I looked over where the clubhouse used to stand and pain stabbed at my heart. What was once lit up by amber light and the headlights of bikes making their way to the parking lot, was now filled with darkness. It might have been just a building to some, but for me, it had been home. A comforting sight to see. Inside there would be bikers, women who belonged to some and others who desperately wanted to belong to the club that held such a special bond. Cold beer was always on tap, greasy food filled the air, and laughter rang from every corner of the place. I needed to see that again. I needed to feel that contentment again in my body. Because if I didn't, I feared I would lose myself for good.

I was going to make Chuck pay for what he did and then I was going to fight to win back the love of my life. I just hoped she would forgive me for what I was about to do.

***

When I arrived in front of Chuck’s bar, I watched a few guys who stood outside smoking, swallow hard and back away fromwhere I parked my bike directly in front of the black door. The windows were dirty and the outside could have used another coat of red paint, as most of it was chipping away. I was going to make an impression. I was damn sure about that.

The last thing you did was disrespect a club’s enforcer. We could all be scary fuckers-- and Chuck was about to see just how scary a Raven Boy could be.

I knew the kind of trash that hung around here-- they were the rejects that our clubhouse wouldn’t allow to step foot into our clubhouse. These guys were criminals; drug dealers, thieves, and many had spent hard time in prison for unthinkable crimes. They were the type that gave all bikers a bad reputation.

I didn’t need to step foot inside the bar. I knew my appearance would get Chuck outside soon enough. One of his thugs would surely gossip and Chuck would catch wind of my arrival. He had to know one of us was bound to come eventually.

Surely enough, moments later, Chuck’s ugly face walked through the doorway. A smug smile spread across his scarred face and I had to fight the urge to vomit.

“Look who decided to pay us a visit,” Chuck laughed as he motioned to a few of his guys.

“Cut the shit, Chuck. I think we both know why I am here,” I snarled, as I threw my leg over my bike and took a step toward him.

“I think you need to remember where you are,” Chuck seethed, not about to back down from me.

“I know exactly where I am now,” I spit on the ground by his feet and I heard a few of the guys behind Chuck rush over to his side.

I had come for war and I just made sure they knew the battle was about to begin.

“Do you have a death wish?” Chuck asked, eyeing me carefully.

“No, but whoever burned down my clubhouse sure does,” I said, holding my fists tightly at my sides. I could feel my nails digging into my palms and I was sure blood was about to run down my hands.

Smiling, Chuck only nodded. “I heard about that, damn shame,” he laughed again.

“Sure is,” I said again, my lips curled up in disgust. “That’s why I am here, it’s time to talk about what happened but I’m really not in the mood for talking,” I said right before I swung my fist and started a war.

Chapter 16

Ivy

It had been four hours since Axel left me standing in the street. Hearing him tell me he loved me was the most powerful moment of my life. I wanted to tell him I loved him, too. To jump into his arms and show him how much I truly, deeply, and madly cared for him. But I couldn’t. He had raced away leaving my heart behind in the dust.

He had chased me down when I was bound and broken. I had been done believing in love and giving myself to another person. But then, he showed up one day and made me break down all the walls I had built. Now, I feel so alive, but for how long? How can this last forever when Axel can just walk away so easily?

After calling an Uber I went back to my apartment and waited for Lacy to get home. Her trip with Drake had unexpectedly been canceled due to the fire and she was upset. When Lacy arrived, we were both a mess. Our eyes were red from crying and our faces were smudged with makeup and snot.

We hugged and held one another on the couch as we waited anxiously for our phones to ring.

“Everything will be ok,” Lacy tried to soothe me.

“I don’t know,” I cried. “You should have seen the anger in his eyes. He was so upset,” I said, shuddering as I reflected back on how Axel looked when he left me.

“You don’t think…” Lacy’s words trailed off. She couldn’t bring herself to say what we were both fearing.

We had fallen asleep sometime after midnight. Awaking the next morning only brought on more distress. Now we were both worried after not hearing from the guys. We tried to start our day, but our stomachs were too upset to eat and our nerves were too fried to go to class or study. After lunch, we finally got our first sign of relief.

I heard my phone ring and Lacy and I both jumped to answer it. Putting the call on speaker, I answered.

---