Page 123 of Axel

I’m tired of running and hiding. His tyranny is over.

Will that make me stupid? Careless? Fuck no.

I’ll sharpen our defenses. I’ll find out who betrayed us. It makes me sick if it’s one of my brothers, but I’m sure there are two, so far, who never would.

One, Nash. He’s my best friend. He’s proven his loyalty through actions, not blood. Besides, my father doesn’t know him. He’d be the least likely.

Two, Grant. When he was nine, he went on a hunger strike after he witnessed our father beat our mother. For three days, he refused to eat. He hated our father that much. He wanted to shame him by dying in front of him.

But I couldn’t watch him suffer, so I snuck him pelmeni, Russian dumplings, his favorite food and he was too tempted by hunger. He finally ate.

Would Grant spit in my father’s face today? Certainly.

Would he starve to protect Ruby?

“Alright,” I answer. “When you’re initiated, Grant can be your second king.”

She rushes, her curiosity pure, “Does that mean we like DP or?—”

“Jesus, Ruby.” I half-laugh, half feel homicidal. “Don’t fucking push me on this. Just let me get used to not murdering my brother for even touching you.”

“Okay. Okay.” Gently, she palms my chest, caressing my pecs. “Thank you. I just… For the first time in my life—don’t laugh at me for saying this—but I know why they call it ‘making love’ because that’s what it feels like between us. And I want to be your queen no matter what and?—”

“Goddamn,” I press my forehead to hers, “I want to take you home right now.” I urge her against the wall. “Or have you right here.”

“Not yet.” She grins. “Tonight, I’ll prove I can be your queen. I’ll be quiet and support Vale. This is her night. Just as long as you promise, I get my night, too.”

“So you’ll just sit hereand watch?” Ruby trails her fingertips over my throne, worrying, “You won’tinitiateVale, too?”

“No.” Her tender jealousy turns me on. “Nash will barely let her second king touch her. We all did for her test, but tonight?—”

“Hertest?”

“Yes, it’s the first ritual. It’s your chance to decide if it’s what you want before you agree to be a queen.”

“When will I be tested?”

“Tonight will be one of them.” I gesture toward the black leather tufted platform. “Kneel.”

I had it custom-built for our new throne room. The boardroom table was kinky but uncomfortable. We also couldn’t style my boardroom to honor our history and rituals.

But then I saw this room on Delta’s third floor, with its high ceiling and plaster walls, all black with ornate gilded gold leaf designs.

So, I made an agreement with Stacey Evans, Delta’s owner, that if I helped her step-daughter, the female athlete being bribed, I could have this lavish room for my private use.

I moved the thrones here, along with antique tables and golden candelabras, and it felt like our new home. All it needed was this large, padded platform, a comfortable place for bodies to forge bonds.

We can enter Delta’s, looking like curious customers. We can meet in privacy with Jace or Grant, guarding the door. We can conduct our rituals without moans or shouts, drawing attention. We have extra guards posted outside; a team we’ve trusted for years.

We’re safe here.

I hope.

“Kneel?” Ruby asks. “You’re testing me right now?”

“I’m testing you all night.” Something about Ruby in my throne room thickens my cock. It feels like I’ve been waiting forever for this. “So, before the others arrive, I need to prepare you.”

Gently, I fist her hair, guiding her to face me on the platform. It’s centered between our row of black velvet king’s chairs, facing our white velvet queen’s thrones.

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