Page 134 of Axel

“ButIwant to impress her,” she whispers nervously. “What should I call her?”

“Most call her Ms. Faye. Or Nadine. Or The Queen.” I take her hand, leading her down the corridor. “And, you’ll call her Mom one day.”

The rare ring I bought for Ruby burns a hole in my pocket. I’ll propose to her, but I’ll do it as she requested. An intimate, romantic moment. Lots of lilac flowers and tears. Then a royal party where I can show her off to family and friends.

But the timing is bad.

We just ambushed Turner’s compound last night. The sadistic fuck hid his human trafficking empire in an old church. We took out his men and rescued the victims, but Turner was MIA.

He’s still on the loose.

Add that to Halstead, the irate rental property owner bribing Ruby, Nick, Stacey’s step-daughter, and countless others. Grant pays Ruby’s bribes for his silence while Nash follows the money trail.

Our payments are a trap. We’re figuring out how Halstead operates, who he’s extorting, and where he hides.

All while we have Alena and Loch’s wedding to celebrate this weekend.

And then … there’s this.

My captive, half-brother.

My mother won’t share the intel she’s getting from him, and I understand. She doesn’t want to talk about it until she’s sure—until she knows which of her sons betrayed her.

“What if she doesn’t like me?” Ruby worries.

“She already loves you.”

“How?”

“Because I do.”

She pauses, tugging our held hands. “You can’t be so sweet when I have to be serious.”

“Should I be a dickhead instead?”

She grins. “You’re really good at it.”

“You reallyloveit…” I smirk. “In your mouth.”

“Axel.” Her eyes widen with her smile. “Not here. Good impressions, remember?”

“Here?” I glance around. “Wildfire, read the room. We’re in our hidden bunker full of recently used guns and weapons. You’re about to meet my mother, the owner of the most exclusive sex club in the South. She’s a dominatrix who’ll shoot men’s kneecaps for grabbing women. And you’re about to meet our captive, too. My half-brother, whom we’ll kill once we get the intel we need. By comparison, you’re tracking just fine. Don’t worry.”

“That’s easy for you to say.”

“No, it isn’t easy,” I say softly. “It’s serious, because I’m serious about you. I want you to meet my mother. For her to see why I love you and to give us her blessing, because after Alena’s wedding, it’s our turn.”

Her eyes sparkle. “Who said we’re getting married?”

“Me.”

“Hmm.” She lilts, “Better ask me nicely or I’ll say no.”

“Better say yes, or I’ll spank you.”

“Not in front of the kittens.”

“Nah.” I tsk. “All of my pussies need to see who’s boss.”

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