Page 157 of Axel

“Do you think Alena will love again?” I pack my bra and panties, secretly trying to get some intel and feeling guilty about it.

“If you count Smokey the Bear, yeah,” Vale answers. “Other than that, the only bear Alena loves is Loch. It’s him or no one. He just needs to grovel enough to get her back.”

Grovel?

Is that what I want Axel to do?

All the nights we spend together in bed with our kittens and…

No. I know he’s sorry.

I need something else.

“And then there’s Jace,” Vale sighs, joining Delphine at the window. “He’s in love with some woman he calls Mary. It’s not her name, but that’s what he calls her because she’s married and he’s in love with her.”

“Married?” Wren’s shocked. “I mean, some of us like to share, but Jace?”

“He’s not sharing her.” Vale gazes down at the kings. “He’s waiting for her to leave her shithead husband or something.”

“Damn,” Zar huffs. “And I thought my situation was complicated.”

“It is,” I jump in, zipping my suitcase closed. “Nick wants to come out. You two should be free to love. No more bribes or closet. And we’ve secured every player in the group except Colton and Beau. They’re not sure if they’re ready to do this, and honestly? Nick’s movement won’t be as powerful if we don’t have them. I have to make this work.”

“Blair’ssoready,” Vale says. “She’s tired of having to hide their love.”

“Firecracker,” Zar rises, “you’re a true queen.” His hug is warm. “Thank you for doing this for us.”

“A chance to fuck with a fucker? It’s my favorite thing.” I squeeze him back. “So, I’m off to another Atlanta game as Colton’s girlfriend, and hopefully I’ll convince them to come to our meeting.”

“Our meeting?” Zar scoffs. “Darlin’, we won’t merelymeetat my beach house. We’ll have a meeting of the minds, then we’ll have a meeting of everything else.”

Oh, I know.

The first floor of Zar and Nick’s palatial beach home is for casual entertaining. It’s the perfect place to meet and share our plan.

But after their meeting downstairs?

Upstairs, red ties will hang from doorknobs to bedrooms where privacy is wanted, while black ties will hang from doorknobs where partners are wanted. Where anyone can watch or join.

But me?

Zar and Nick have dedicated a bedroom to me. A red tiehangs from my doorknob while I sit alone on my bed and gaze at the sparkling night ocean, watching it churn, unsettled and seeking.

Like my heart.

Seeking a way back to Axel.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

RUBY

“You know it’s just an act.”

I nuzzle my nose to Axel’s, teasing his nose ring. Yes, he knows the truth, and I don’t want to hurt him. I want to reassure him that my double dinner date with Colton, Blair, and Beau tonight is business. It’s part of our mission.

“It’s just hell watching you with another man,” he brushes our lips together, “when all I want is for you to be mine.”

“Iamyours. You know that. It’s just…”

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