Page 120 of Axel

“Are you wearing that tonight?” I whisper.

His brows bounce. That’s all he’ll reveal. Zar’s too good at keeping his secret worlds separate, and I guess I’ll get used to it, too.

It makes my nerves sizzle with anticipation for tonight, because Jace sits on a stool at Delta’s door. Wearing a fitted black suit barely containing his muscles, he greeted me as a customer, completely ignoring that I’m his brother’s secret queen.

It makes me wonder who his queen is. I don’t think Jacehas one. He said he dated gallery openings, not women.Lucky galleries.Still, it’s sad because he’s so sweet.

But when Vale comes downstairs with her racy selection in hand—she picked black lace lingerie—I catch their silent exchange.

Did Vale just blush?

Did Jace just fidget, grabbing his crotch?

Oh my god, I’m too good at this. Or maybe it’s just obvious; Jace will be Vale’s second king.

I know she belongs to Nash. They’re madly in love, though it was forbidden for so long. Axel said he’s known it for years.

Still, I haven’t met Nash yet. I suspect Axel’s hiding me from him. Not out of shame. It’s something else.

Does Axel suspect Nash betrayed the family?

I’m not sure. I need to meet someone to get a vibe on them, and when I do, I’m usually right.

We leave Delta’s, giving Stacey and Vale hugs, and I try really hard to ignore Jace while he holds the door open for us, but he’s too cute. I cut him a glance, and barely smile … and he winks back.

Nope, I don’t get a bad vibe from him.

I get a “he’s a huge man with a big heart, fist, and dick” vibe, like all of his brothers.

Speaking of…

Grant’s joined Axel, standing with him on the shaded sidewalk outside of Delta’s. They smoke cigars, stifling their smiles when I hug Scarlett and Zar goodbye, and aim their way.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Jones.” Grant leans down, pecking my cheek.

“Hey, Reacher One.”

“One?”

I thumb toward the door of Delta’s. “Jace is number two.I mean… not like shit… like he looks just like Reacher as well and?—”

“We got it, Wildfire.” Axel chuckles before cocking his brow. “What did you buy?”

“Another business of None of Yours.”

Grant laughs. “Damn, I can never get enough of you busting his balls.”

Axel licks his bottom lip. “She does something to my balls, that’s for sure.”

For our next shopping venue, we walk, weaving through the historic city using narrow cobblestone alleys, private parking lots, and hidden gardens.

I’m not surprised they’ve mapped every hidden inch of this city. But what does surprise me is how Axel reaches for my hand, holding it when he’s sure no one’s watching.

No one except Grant, who leads the way, and checks over his shoulder. When he glances down and sees Axel clutching my hand, he smiles.

But what surprises me is the love I feel with Axel, and the safety I feel with Grant, too.

I went from never trusting a man to loving one and caring for his six brothers.

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