Page 207 of Axel

Lost in queasy thoughts, I don’t pay attention when a hand reaches in, blocking the doors from closing at the last moment.

I’m in a nauseous haze when a couple joins me in the elevator.

The doors slide closed, and I hear, “Congratulations, Missus King.”

“Do I know you?” I crack my eyelids open.

But the moment I turn to confront the voice, I recognize my husband … thirty years from now.

Black hair. Heavy brows. Chiseled face. Perfect nose. Lush lips.

But this man is dripping with evil.

Ruslan Kholodov sneers down at me, and then I glance to see the statuesque blonde beside him.

Katya.

The hairs on my neck stand. Not afraid. I’m thrilled. And vengeful.

“What floor?” I ask them. “Because you’re definitely not on my level.”

Katya scoffs, “Told you she would be low class.”

“Hey, Bitchie Barbie,” I smile, “just because you sold your cunt and soul, it doesn’t mean you have a brain left to fuck with me.”

Her eyes widen, but I glare at Ruslan. “And you, PacMan. You have some grey-haired balls to show up here. What do you want? A pacemaker for your dead heart or hers?”

Katya mutters curses in Russian while Ruslan narrows his eyes, andOh, that’s where Axel gets that look from.

The one that makes grown men piss their pants.

But I’m immune.

“I could just kill you for fun.”

He could. I believe him.

“You know what’s really fun?” I answer. “A photo booth. Say cheese, mother fucker. There are cameras in here and everywhere. You won’t leave this hotel alive.”

The elevator rises, and so does my pulse.

I’m right about the cameras. Scarlett’s security is watching us. But right now we look like guests in a chat. Like someone farted in the elevator and I’m mad about it.

But all I have to do is press the SOS charm on my bracelet again, and Axel will kill his father in broad daylight. He wouldn’t hesitate.

And there would be a lot of salt involved.

“Let us please speak.” Ruslan gestures to the elevator doors as they slide open, revealing the parlor separating my penthouse and Scarlett’s.

But she’s at her beach house with Luca and his daughter. And his staff aren’t here today, either.

It’s just me and my gut instinct.

I always trust it.

“Okay. We can speak.” I step into the parlor, and they follow. “But Bitchie Barbie better keep her mouth shut, or I’m going to fill it with my fist.”

“Uh, so trashy.” Katya rolls her eyes.

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