Page 135 of Axel

“They see me every day.”

I laugh. “You wish.”

“Youknow.” She laughs back.

“Care to share the joke?” A velvet voice echoes down the concrete corridor.

My laughing eyes swing in my mother’s direction.

With one hand on her hip, she holds a cigar in the other.With her toned body and long, dark hair in a chignon, she doesn’t look a day over forty, wearing a black leather sleeveless dress and blood-red spiked heels.

Smoke curls around her. Armed guards stand, ready for her command. The heavy door to the captive’s room is closed as Ruby’s mouth falls open.

“Oh my god,” she mutters at the lethal sight of my mom. “Big fan. Like, huge.”

“Mom,” I tug Ruby’s hand, leading our steps and the introduction, “please meet Ruby Jones, my future queen.”

“Well, you sure look like one.” With open arms, Mom pulls Ruby into a hug. “Dressed like a cowgirl or in Chanel. My dear,” Mom gushes, “you arestunning. No wonder my son is so smitten.”

“Is he smitten?” Ruby jokes, meeting her eyes. “Or smug? It’s hard to tell.”

“Both, darlin’,” Mom drawls, beaming at her. “That’s what happens when God gives them ballsandbrains. But don’t worry. They’ve got nothing compared to ours.”

They laugh, their ease instant. I never doubted it. They’re a lot alike.

And God, help me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Faye,” Ruby says. “For real, this time.”

“Please.” Mom waves her cigar. “Call me Nadine, and call me impressed.” She winks at me. “I approve. She’s whiskey in a teacup.”

I laugh. “Youjustmet her.”

“Bless your heart,” Mom sighs. “Shall I wait another minute to draw the same conclusion, or can we move on?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

It’s what every wise man says to survive.

“Now,” Mom takes Ruby’s hand, “before you say yes to myhandsome second-born, you must know what you’re agreeing to. In our world, we have great days and gruesome ones. Do you understand?”

Ruby nods. “Yes, ma’am.”

“My boys and I do good work in evil ways,” Mom explains. “The victims we help don’t need prayers and patience. They deserve pissed off women who won’t put up with this shit anymore. You must be one of those women, or my son wouldn’t be so in love.”

“Yes, ma’am. I am.”

Ruby nods, not intimidated. She’s in awe. Most are when they meet my mom.

“Good.” Mom nods back. “Now, I have a situation in this room. What I must do to get the information I need may make you uncomfortable, so you can leave, but it would help me if you stay. This man wants an audience for his pain.”

With dread, I exhale. “Mom, do I have to watch this? I’m fine with blood, but not your BDSM.”

Mom tsks just like me. “Quit clutching your pearls. I ain’t getting naked or fornicating. I’m just using whips. Nothing to permanently scar your mind.”

Ruby snorts, cutting her eyes at me. “It’s not like you’re an angel, either.”

“I’m sure he’s quite the devil, and I don’t want to see it.” Mom puffs her cigar. “Just as long as my boys never hurt a woman, I don’t need to know how they love her.”

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