Page 181 of Axel

In three steps, he’s pulling me into a hug. “I’m sorry, but they’re already exposed. Just as easily as Katya found me, my father has found you, too. That means he knows about your sisters. About all of us.”

“Why hasn’t he done anything? Like a high noon, Bratva shootout?”

“I don’t know. But I know this hotel is a fortress.”

“What will we tell Luca? And Scarlett?”

“Like they don’t have their guesses about me and wouldn’t want you and our babies to be safe?”

I grin. “So impatient to knock me up, and we’re not official yet.” He lifts my hand with the rare gem sparkling on my wedding finger. “Okay, so I have a ring, but I’m not Ruby King yet.”

“Fuck,” he sighs into a growl. “Fuck, Wildfire, if you take my nameandmy heart? You better let me do everything I can to protect you and our family.”

“Sparky, too. And a kitten,” I whisper before his kiss.

As always, Axel’s kiss quickly burns with passion, seeking more from me. He’s getting hard and hungry, but I rasp, “We’re going to be late.”

“Tell me your boundaries tonight.”

“What are yours?”

“No, my queen.” He caresses my neck. “This is your initiation. I honor you tonight. Tell me what you want and don’t want.”

“You know I want you, and I want Grant to make it official. To be my second king. What else is there?”

He licks his lips.

Oh, my god, there’s that look in his eyes.

I see why lions are his family crest. His symbol. Axel’s an apex predator at the top of the food chain, and I’m his meal.

“I can do so much with you tonight,” he warns, squeezing my throat. “And after everything lately, I will. You’ve done so much for us; I’ll give you the initiation you deserve.”

His erection presses against my belly, clearly aroused by his plan.

And my nipples harden.

Wet heat rushes my core, spilling to my sex, when I ask, “What are you going to do to me?”

“Me?” He smirks. “You mean meandthe kings.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

AXEL

There’sthe first time I saw Ruby, sitting proud in the purple dress she couldn’t afford, and ignoring her bleeding knee while she told me I’d be a fool not to hire her.

And there’s now.

Because I’m no fool.

I knew then she was a queen.

And I can feel it now as she becomes mine.

The other queens and kings sit on their thrones while I stand before Ruby, just as I will during our wedding.

Sire performs the sacred ceremony when I usually would have.

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