Page 13 of Stalked By Axel

Only the most senior club members, those of us who attend Church every week, even know Gray is one of us. He spends most of his time away from the club, and most recently, he was visiting our sister club in the South, the Steel Outlaws, giving them a hand taking down a trafficking ring.

We all nod in approval, but Saint doesn’t go into detail about how Gray will infiltrate the Vipers. My best guess is that he’ll find work at one of the club-owned businesses, maybe ask to join as a prospect.

I listen with half an ear as Saint discusses club matters until we’re finally dismissed for the evening. I remain in my seat as the men around me get up, all visibly excited for the cookout.Saint waits until they’ve all left before shutting the door behind the last person. He leans against the door, staring at me for a solid minute before finally breaking the silence.

“Really, Axel?” he says, quirking a brow. “You’re going to make me drag it out of you?”

I wince at his annoyed tone. Saint was also there when Kane made me promise to look after his daughter. The man was in pain and wouldn’t let go of my hand until I swore to protect her with my life. While Brooke leaned on me for comfort and support following her father’s death, I leaned on Saint for strength as I grieved my best friend and mentor. The idea of this man being disappointed or angry with me makes me feel small in a way I never have before.

“It’s not what it looked like,” I say, standing up to face Saint. “I would never hurt Brooke or betray Kane. You know that.”

“Spell it out for me Axel. Cuz from where I was standing, it looked like she’s your latest plaything,” he says, his voice taking on a hard edge.

I deflate. “I’m not playing with her, Saint. Brooke means more to me than anything in the world.”

“That’s nothing new. You’ve always had a soft spot for the girl, unsurprising given that she’s Kane’s daughter. So what’s changed?”

I run a hand through my hair. “Look, Saint, I will be honest with you because I know you and everyone in this club cares about her,” I say, meeting his hard gaze head on. “I have feelings for Brooke. They are complicated feelings, but they’re strong enough for me to know that I can’t let her go. I would protect that girl with my life, cross lines I never have to keep her safeand by my side. Brooke is mine… But she’s also my best friend’s daughter and I made him a promise.”

Saint studies me closely for a long moment. I can’t read his expression well enough to guess what he is thinking and brace for the worst. So, it’s a shock when he suddenly bursts out with a laugh.

“Fuck, I owe Knox fifty bucks. Damnit. You just couldn’t wait until she’s finished with school could you?” Confused, I open my mouth to ask what the fuck he’s talking about when he continues, “You’re terrible at hiding your feelings and I don’t think Brooke has ever even tried. We’ve all known for years that the girl had her sights set on you, but we knew you’d take longer to crack with your hangups over her being Kane’s daughter. I placed my bet that you’d at least wait until she finished school before you broke and claimed her.”

“A-are you going to try and stop me from being with her?” I ask, totally dumbfounded.

He sobers at my question. “No,” he says. “And I don’t think Kane would have if he were here either. He loved you like a son, and there’s no better man for his little girl. But I was there when you promised him that you would protect her with your life. So, I will hold you accountable if you break her heart. We are the only family she has left, and you’ll have to answer to all of us if you hurt her.”

“I would expect nothing less.” My bad sags like a deflated balloon. I never would have expected this reaction from Saint, let alone that my club brothers have been placing bets on my love life… Or that Knox of all people would have won the bet. That man wouldn’t know love if it smacked him in the face.

Saint walks over and claps me on the shoulder. “I’m glad you woke up and claimed her before it was too late. Watchingthe two of you circle each other has been downright painful. At least now I won’t have to hunt down some poor college boy if he breaks her heart.”

I glower at him. “No college boys. Brooke is mine.”

“So you’ve mentioned.” He chuckles. “Now that that’s settled, how about we head up to the roof? I’ve been craving BBQ all week, and it’s Blaze’s turn to cook. That man makes a mean brisket. Best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

“Your fiancée will be disappointed to hear that.”

“Oh, fuck off!”

We’re laughing when we head up to the clubhouse roof, the smell of roasted meat making my stomach growl, but I ignore the thought of food as I seek her out. I immediately spot brown hair with teal highlights among a group of girls as they set up flatware on a picnic table. I don’t hide the fact that I’m watching her, and God, she looks absolutely gorgeous. Even in simple jeans and a pink sweater, she’s the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.

Before Brooke, I was never open to the idea of a relationship. I saw women, but more than anything, it was a mutual agreement of no strings attached release. All parties involved were in agreement on that, and I never had murderous thoughts at the idea of any of those women dating other people. I wasn’t sad or lonely. In fact, I was pretty content with living my life for the club.

But then one winter evening, this sweet, sassy girl became my responsibility. And suddenly, I wasn’t living only for the club anymore. Before Kane’s death, I never viewed Brooke as anything more than an extension to my best friend, but that day, she became more. She became everything. When her father died, she clung to me, wrapping her arms around me and burying herface in my neck as she sobbed for hours. I held her until my arms were numb and my shirt was soaked with her tears. I would have gone on holding her forever if she hadn’t eventually pulled away.

The blinders I had slowly fell from my eyes in the following months. When I shadowed her, I didn’t just want to protect her. I wanted to break the arm of any guy that came close to her. A delicate flower like her was mine to protect.

Mine to keep!

Someone nudges Brooke’s shoulder, and she turns around, her lips parting in a beautiful smile when she spots me. I watch as a pretty pink hue darkens her cheeks. “What?” she mouths, but I simply shake my head.

Everything in me begs for me to strut over to her and kiss that Cupid’s bow. Sweep all the plates off the picnic table and bend her over it, fucking her over and over until mine is the only name she remembers. Until the entire goddamned city knows she belongs to me.

And now with the Saint’s blessing, there is nothing stopping me from fully staking my claim.

Chapter Seven

Brooke

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