Page 99 of Axel

No one recognizes Nick. American football isn’t popular here, so seeing how free Nick and Zar can be with their love is heart-warming.

That’s not Nick’s life at home, where Grant has identified the photo I took of the preppy prick at the bus stop, the one bribing gay athletes.

His name is Blake Halstead. He’s the owner, renting over ten vacation properties and sextorting countless victims. When I stood him up for our drop, he sent the video to “my boss,” upping his bribe to a quarter million or he’d tell “my husband” next.

Really, Grant received the video and sent me a cute, standing ovation meme, all while Halstead’s texts are irate and threatening. He wants more money, and I’m curious how far he’ll go to get it.

“For every giant bouquet Axel sends me,” I cup my breasts and pucker my lips, posing for Zar’s camera phone, “I send him a boobie shot.”

And every night, Axel calls me.

It’s usually after we’ve been dancing at The Mercier’s exclusive, bohemian beach club. The club doesn’t have tacky flashing lights, making it safe for me. Rarely, they can trigger my seizures.

But here, I can dance all night. The bass still thumps in my veins while I laugh with Axel on our video chats.

He lies on his bed, surrounded by our newborn kittens, and I lie on mine, teasing him with dirty talk until we’re both in pain, missing each other.

Then, he refuses to hang up on me, and I won’t end our call, either, so we fall asleep together.

I had to leave too soon. We didn’t really have time to say goodbye, and he didn’t get to tell me why Alena showed up at his home.

That maddening feeling made me watch them talking in the courtyard. I felt guilty for doing it, though my gut told me I had to.

But all I saw was a worried Alena. She looked like a bride stressed about her wedding, and Axel looked like a godfather, able to help her with an overbearing father.

It looked perfectly innocent between them, and I felt like a pathetic, jealous fool, promising myself I’d never do it again.

I won’t worry about Alena.

I trust Axel.

“I never thought I’d see the day.” Zar flops on his lounger beside mine, done with our daily photoshoot. “My little firecracker is hanging up her spurs. Her Roman riding days are over.”

“Roman riding?” I lather on more sunscreen.

“Like a gladiator, you stand on their backs, hold the reins, and ride two horses at once.”

“Uh, reins were never involved in my threesomes.”

Nick laughs. “But they will be with my brother. He’ll bridle you, and be damn sure he’s the only one ever riding you again.”

“But…” This has been bothering me since the night Axel held me down, whispering his dark fantasies in my ear, and I moaned, sharing them. “But, if I’m going to be his officially, doesn’t he have to initiate me andofferme to another rider?”

Why am I speaking in equestrian euphemisms? I don’t know. Maybe I’m just trying to respect their secrecy. We’re not alone on the beach.

“Isn’t that what you did?” I ask Nick. “You let one of your brothers initiate Zar? He has a second king?” They exchangea look. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. I’m just confused. I know how some of this works, but not all.”

“It’s alright.” Zar winks. “It’s for me to disclose. I’m the queen. I decide who knows.”

Oh my god, I’m dying to know.

The little spy in me threatens to probe and get into trouble again. But now … I love my trouble. I love this world, and I don’t want to disrespect it.

I hold my tongue until Zar reveals, “It was beautiful. When I was initiated, I married Nick, his family, and his world. His brothers love me. They loveourlove. Men like us don’t get that with every family.” Nick reaches for his hand. “I was honored. I still am. There’s so much more you’ll learn about us, firecracker. So much you’ll feel and protect and fight for.”

I nod, swallowing. I didn’t see that part of Wren’s initiation, but I could hear it. It sounded sacred. It sounded like every soul was committed to their group bond.

“But we presented an unusual situation,” Zar continues. “Of course, most queens are women. Of course,” he winks, “I have more style than them all.” I laugh. “The Queen and kings talked about how I could join them, and one brother said he’d be honored to be my second king. He’s been with men before.”

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