Page 179 of Axel

But nothing can distract me from wanting this intel.

Okay, thistea.

I’m dying to know. “Is he more than your captive now?”

Nadine cuts her eyes at me before slicing her gaze toward the others.

Vale has them laughing over champagne and the new prostate massagers she brought them from Delta’s as gifts.

And I don’t mean to pry, but I worship my future mother-in-law. I worry she has no one else to talk to.

“I’ve enjoyed many subs.” Her voice is hushed. “But I’ve never felt this before.”

“Felt what?” I whisperback. “Love?”

“No, I’ve felt love. Love saved my life. It saved my sons. And after Maxim, I swore I’d never love again, but…”

She trails off, trying not to wring her hands dripping with royal jewels.

“But what?” I lean toward her. “I promise I won’t tell. But every woman needs another to talk to. I have the queens, you, and my sisters, but who can you talk to about him? I swear I won’t judge.”

She sighs, “What can a man his age see in a woman like me?”

I jolt back, shocked. “You can’t be serious. You’re the hottest woman I’ve ever seen. And it really pisses off Axel when I tell him that.”

She chuckles.

“And Roman’s no boy,” I whisper. “He’s a very grown man. It’s obvious he wants you. Like…” I gesture with my hands, approximating his length. “Like really big and obvious how much he wants you. So why not?”

“Because I’m covered in scars,” she shares, and it hits my heart.Just like Axel.“I hate that my sons saw them when they were boys. Poor Jace. They made him cry. And Axel? He knifed a wall, over and over, after he saw them. My scars are horrific, and I hide them because I hide so much more inside. And if I ever let myself be with…”

She glances, making sure we’re still not overheard.

“If I let myself be with Roman,” she whispers, “he’ll see them. The ones on my body and the ones on my heart. I can’t hide them.”

I reach for her hand. “I feel like Roman was a gift. To Axel, so he could find out about Lev. And to you, so you can stay safe from your ex-husband. If any man can understand the scars Ruslan gave you, it’s Roman. I don’t think he only came searching for Axel. I think Roman was meant to findyou.”

Her blue eyes go from soft to a smirk that plays with her lush lips.

God, I see where Axel gets that look from.

“I’m sure my sons would be so pleased.” Nadine chuckles low. “Their mother, a dominatrix and a cougar to a man who’s their age?”

She tosses her chin up, laughing.

“A cougar?” I shake my head. “No, my queen. You’re a lioness.”

She winks back, squeezing my hand. “It takes one to love one. So, thank you for loving my son. I know it’s not easy. I know he’s not perfect. But no woman has ever had his heart like you, so thank you for guarding it like a lioness, too.”

“I promise, I will.”

“I know. Mess with one of us and you’ll kiss the business end of a pistol.”

A knock raps on the door.

“It’s time!” Wren claps.

“And that’s my cue.”

---