Page 16 of Axel

“So,” I tent my fingers, itching to strangle necks, “what do you want to do? Take care of this legally or…”

We exchange a look, and Zar joins us.

“Both. I want justice,” Nick sneers, “then I’ll get revenge.”

Spoken like a true son of Ruslan Kholodov.

When we escaped the Bratva, Nick was only five. You’d never recognize him now. But I guess he’s like me. He’s like our father. It’s in his DNA, too.

I nod. “First thing: stall them. We need time and intel.” I tell Zar, “Reply and say you’ll pay one million every thirty days for their silence. As long as they stay silent, you’ll paymorethan five million.”

“Fuck that,” Zar scoffs. “I have a trust fund worth a hundred million. I can pay more right now.”

“But they’ll never stop asking for it,” I explain. “So you supply it like a drug. You get them addicted and control them. In the meantime, Nick starts his pre-season, and wedevise a plan.” I take my phone out of my jacket pocket. “And we start now.”

I call Nash first. He’s the accountant, able to follow any money trail. Zar will email him with their booking information through the online platform they used, and Nash will find the source.

Then,I hate to do this, but no one in my office is better at it. “Ms. Jones,” I open my door, “a moment.”

With smirky satisfaction, Ruby joins our meeting.

“I need you to dig up all you can about a rental property,” I order her. “No doubt, the owner is an anonymous LLC, but dig. Find out who owns it. I know you know how.”

“Tell me what’s going on,” she insists. “It’ll make my search faster.”

I grin.She’s good. But not that good.She wants to be in the loop with us, but I command, “The less you know, the better.”

“Obviously,” she blurts, “because you don’t know shit, and you seem to be in hog heaven.”

My brother laughs. Zar does, too. They’re way too amused by my defiant employee.

“I’m not your goddamn Willy Wonka,” I scold her. “I don’t sugarcoat my orders. Do as I say or find another job.”

Her nostrils flare. “Were you born this shitty, or did you take lessons from a toilet?”

Nick snorts, and Zar mutters, “Oh, no. Mom and Dad are fighting.”

“Shut up!” We shout at them together … and they laugh even harder.

Fire shoots up my neck, strangled by my tie. I yank at it, needing to murder. Glaring at Ruby, I relish the furious blush of her cheeks, the thrumming pulse in her neck, her ribs heaving under that mouth-watering cleavage in her V-neck dress.

I’m so furious I don’t care if she catches me craving her tits.

This is what happens when you corner a beast. Iwillattack if provoked.

Then, I glance down at her rebellious bare feet with her toenails painted cherry red. Her feet are dainty and unmarred. They’re perfect. They’re the opposite of mine, and now, they’re another fetish for me. I can’t stop the growl up my throat, “Put your fucking heels on.” My molars clench. “Now.”

“Yes, Mr.Cummings.” She bumps past me, pushing ALL of my goddamn buttons as I slam the office door behind her, regretting it the moment I do.

This is what I mean. She loves to hate me. Or maybe I hate that I’m in love with her. Either way, she’s fire to my ice. She’s the only one who gets me this hot.

“Shit,” Nick huffs. “Fall in love much?”

I whip around. “She can’t know.”

“Know about what?” Nick juts his chin. “Our family? The kings and queens? Or that you’re in love with her?”

“Our family.” I won’t deny the rest. It’s written all over me; I’m painfully aware.

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