Page 63 of Fury

“He’s fully awake,” says Axel. “Eyes are open, and he’s trying to put things back together in his head.”

“That’s great news,” Grizz says.

“Jo turned up at the hospital,” he adds.

Grizz frowns. “Why?”

“Because apparently she’s his wife,” I snap, dropping down onto the couch.

“They’re not married,” Axel tells me.

“Well, whatever you bikers call it,” I mutter.

“She isn’t his old lady either,” he adds. “She’s with Ripper.”

My head shoots up. “What?”

“Which makes me wonder if Ripper knows his old lady is off visiting her fling?” asks Grizz.

“Yeah, it got me wondering too,” Axel says in agreement.

“Wait, isn’t that why he left Nottingham?”

“Yep,” says Axel, popping the P. “So, why would he allow her to visit him?”

“Maybe he doesn’t know,” Grizz suggests.

“Or maybe she’s trying to figure out what he knows,” I say. They both turn to me, waiting for me to elaborate. “Well, Ripper was acting shifty when he was here,” I explain.

“In what way?” Axel asks.

I shrug. “Just odd, like he was nervous.”

“I didn’t pick up on that,” he replies.

“Gemma did,” I say smugly, and his eyes narrow. “She agreed with me.”

Axel sits down. “Okay, Miss Marple, what else have you got?”

“What if he’s back for revenge? Maybe he knows more about the fight and he came to check what you know?”

Axel scoffs. “He wouldn’t dare.”

“Wait,” Grizz cuts in. “She might have a point. You wouldn’t let him end Fury when he asked. Maybe he came back to help him on his way after he heard he was in a bad way.”

“He wanted to kill Fury?” I demand.

“He asked, I said no, hence why Fury came here. Shit happens, and Jo was half to blame. But Ripper wouldn’t come here and do it under my nose.”

“So, why is he here?” I ask. “If he hates Fury, he’s not here out of concern.”

Axel thinks, running his hands through his hair. “I don’t know. I questioned it myself when he showed up. He just said he had business in the area. He didn’t mention Fury, but when I told him, he looked genuinely surprised. Especially when I told him Fury lost the fight.”

“Why is that a surprise?” I ask.

Axel laughs. “Cos he never loses.”

“Maybe he lost on purpose,” suggests Grizz.

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