Page 61 of Axel

“Then what are you pussyfooting for?”

“Leave my feet out of this,” I snarl.

Grant winces, remembering our childhood and clocking what he just said. “Sorry, man, that’s not what I mean. It’s just… Why are you waiting?”

“She’s not ready.” I move on. “And you won’t say jackshit to anyone about her.”

“Careful, brother. Play any game too long,” he warns, “and you will lose her.”

Like Jace, Grant’s an inch taller than me, but I’m always his big brother. What I say goes, and he knows it. “I’mnotplaying games with her.”

“Aren’t you?” He points toward the door. “She’s fucking amazing and perfect for you. I’ve never met a woman immune to your swagger, butta-da… there she is. She’s a badass. She’ll tell you to fuck off and which way you can go, even when she knows who we are and what we’re capable of.” He smirks, threatening, “If you don’t claim her soon, I’ll introduce her to Jace.”

I laugh. “All those blow-jobs you get have sucked your IQ out through your dick because, one, I’ll kill a brother for her. Two, Jace would never betray me. Three, neither would you. And a million times, I’d fucking die for her, so don’t give me shit about her. Give me time.”

“She’s not Katya. She won’t leave you.” His voice softens. “Katya was cold and conniving. I never knew what you saw in her but blonde hair and big tits. She was never right for you, and she waswaytoo into Sire.”

I don’t argue a moot point. He’s right, she’s gone, and I don’t care.

“She never should’ve been your queen,” Grant insists, pointing at the door again, “becausethatwoman is.”

“I know,” I concede. “I knew it the moment I met her.”

“Then what the fuck, man? Claim her. Don’t let her go. Jesus,” he throws his chin up, “she’s just like mom. She’s like the other queens—iron elegance and ruthless beauty. I’d be honored to be her second king.”

“The fuck you will,” I snarl. “Touch Ruby, and I’ll make Delphine a widow.”

“This again?” He rolls his eyes. “First, Nick. Now, you. And we know Nash will fight it, too. But … it’ll happen; we’ll make sure the queens love it, and it’s done. So, just start wrapping your jealous dickhead around it now.”

“Uh, folks,” the captain calls over the intercom. “We’re on our final approach. Please be seated.”

Minutes later, the plane lands, and Ruby’s still asleep.

It’s cute, the little drop of drool escaping her plump lips, so I smile. “Hey, Wildfire. Wake up, or your drool will douse the scorched Earth you’ve created in my life.”

“What?” Ruby startles, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Was I?”

“Drooling over me? Yes.” I unbuckle my seat belt. “Come on. Sparky’s waiting.”

I stand and offer my hand to her, but she scowls. “Are your boxers still in a jealous wad?”

But she slides her palm into mine, and it flutters my chest every time.

“Jealous? No. Possessive? Until my dying day over you.”

“Fine,” she sighs. “Canyou possess a pizza on the way home, too, because I’m starving?”

“Home?” Grant grins, sliding the laptop into his bag. “You two playing paralegal or house?”

“Both.” We answer at the same time.

“Whatever you’re doing together,” he laughs, wrapping his arm around Ruby, and bending down to kiss her hair, “it’s safe with me. Promise.”

“Aw.” Ruby punches his abs. “Thanks, Reacher. Can you give me a nudey butt-shot as you leave, too?”

“Not if he wants to live,” I warn.

“He’s just jelly,” Grant whispers to Ruby. “It’s kinda a cute look on him.”

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