Page 166 of Axel

“Who are you?” The redhead jerks away from my warm, caring touch.

Can’t blame her.

Stranger Danger and all.

“Wilder.” I tip my non-existent cowboy hat. “A friend of Axel’s.”

Her glance darts to the bleeder, balling in pain on the floor.

“Aw, don’t worry about him.” I swipe his gun off the floor and tuck it into my back pocket. “Fucker won’t live to see dawn.”

I mock, laughing down at him. “Gunshots hurt. Don’t they, piddle pants? You watchJohn Wicktoo much. You thought they’re like bee stings but FUCK NO. They’re like bombs to your bones. You probably wanna shit yourself in pain, too. But do it, and I’ll shoot your ass again.”

“What? What are you doing here?”

This redhead is full of questions.

I’m not in the habit of answering them, but…

Shits and giggles.

“I live in the neighborhood. Got a ranch, slaughterhouse,and brewery down the road. I was balls deep in my second pussy of the night when your man called and needed me to make a house call.” I glance around. “Scratch that. A skanky hotel call, and here I am.”

“Where’s Axel?”

“By my guess?” I scratch my scruffy chin. “An hour or so out. He told me to come here, secure his woman and keep any fuckers alive so he can kill them.”

“No,” she raises a brow, “I’m going to kill him.”

“Well, damn, kitty, kitty.” I wink. “I see why my man’s in love.”

She steps away.

Probably from me.

I’m out of deodorant.

But definitely from that spreading puddle of piss on the floor. No. Wait. That moldy shit is carpet.

“How do you know Axel?”

I tsk. “Not sure I’m supposed to say. And damn sure I ain’t gonna answer.”

I’m bored.

“How doyouknow him?”

“Damn sure you can figure it out.” She lifts her chin.

And…

Ahh, fuck, her pretty plump bottom lip is busted.

“Hey, piss ant.” I kick the man’s loafer. “Did you hit her?”

“What? Who… Who gives a shit?” He groans, “You fucking shot me.”

“Come on now. Give me some credit. I shot youtwiceand that ain’t gonna be shit compared to what her man’s gonna do to you for hitting his woman. You wanna run, Forrest, run?”

---