Page 3 of Stalked By Axel

“No, I’ve never been here, but like I said, the owner is a family friend,” she responds, hooking her arm with mine and dragging me through a sea of bodies. “Let’s get some alcohol in you and then dance a little. If your man shows up, you’re going to need some liquid courage.”

I want to protest, a little terrified by the prospect of moving out of my comfort zone further than I already have, but she’s right. If I am to face him, then I’ll need a confidence boost to do so. Alcohol is perhaps a terrible way to go about achieving it, but I need all the help I can get if I am to seduce my father’s best friend.

“Okay, let’s go grab a drink.”

Chapter Two

Axel

There are a few rules that the Steel Rebels go by, and the most important one is to never start shit with rival clubs and other gangs in the city—without a good reason and evidence to support it. There is a silent agreement between all of us is to stay the hell out of each other’s territory unless we’re looking to start something. We don’t step foot in their territory, and they don’t set foot in ours.

Once in a while, a stray or two will wander into our part of the city looking to cause trouble, and we respond accordingly. By that, I mean we make sure they see the error of their ways, something we always leave to the club’s enforcers. I’ve always made it a point to abide by that rule and stick to Steel Rebels territory…until tonight.

Until her.

Brooke Kane. My late best friend’s daughter. The girl has been under my care since she lost her father a year ago. She’d only just graduated from high school when Kane lost his fight against cancer, leaving his only child in the care of the SteelRebels. In his last moments, I promised Kane I—and the rest of the club—would look after his daughter. I vowed to protect Brooke with my life, and the brat has made it her mission to give me gray hairs.

Before her father passed, Brooke was a sweet, shy, mild-mannered girl. But recently something has changed. In the past several months, Brooke has dragged me across the city after her on multiple occasions, throwing herself into situations that forced me to intervene. I figured it was her way of grieving. I had lost my best friend and mentor, but the girl had lost her only parent, and I refused to let her spiral out of control.

But today she’s crossed a line. Truly outdone herself. Of all the things the Brooke could have done, she chose this.

I tug off my helmet as I watch the scantily dressed girl and her bad influence of a best friend walk to the entrance of the most popular nightclub in the city—one notorious for its debauchery. Sex, drugs, and alcohol. You can get anything here.

Rave is also owned and run by a mid-level street gang. For the most part, they mind their own business and make their money peddling drugs through the club. So far, they’ve kept their poison out of our territory, and I want it to stay that way. Saint, the Steel Rebels’ president, will have my ass if I cause trouble here, even for Brooke’s sake. He’s accused me more than once of being overprotective, but Brooke isn’t just any girl. She’s Kane’s daughter, and I made a promise.

I try to ignore the way my body reacts as I watch her walk up to the bouncer, but it’s hard to dismiss the heat low in my gut and the tightening in my jeans at the sight of her in that short dress that barely covers any skin. I try to resist, but my eyes linger on those long legs before tracing her perky ass to that narrow waist, then to the swell of her perfect tits.

Brooke is breathtaking.

She is easily the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, with long brown hair that falls down her back and teal highlights that shimmer in the light. She is a sweet girl despite her efforts to appear mature and wild. In a sea of long legs and exposed skin, I see only her. I’ve only ever seen her, and I bet her father would turn in his grave if he knew that I harbor such lustful thoughts for her.

She’s forbidden.

The wise thing to do would be to turn this bike around and leave. She’s nineteen now, and it’s time she met guys her own age. She might be a bad influence, but I know Scarlet would never let Brooke do anything truly dangerous. Maybe she’ll meet, flirt, and fall in love with someone tonight. The thought of another man touching her sends my blood boiling with rage.

Mine!

The thought is unbidden. It’s not the first time the word has slipped into my mind, but it will never be a reality.

Brooke is not mine. She’s far too young and pure for a reprobate like me. No, she will never be mine, but I’ll be damned if I let someone less deserving touch her.

My fingers clench hard on the helmet when I realize that she’s attracting more than just a few glances from the men in line outside the club. Oblivious to all the attention she’s getting, Brooke shuffles nervously on her feet as the bouncer inspects her fake ID. She’s not old enough to drink; there is no way they would let her in unless she is carrying a fake ID. This is proven true when the man moves aside to let the girls in. I grit my teeth when his gaze follows her inside.

“Goddamnit!” I curse under my breath as I climb off my bike. I secure the helmet before crossing the road and heading toward the club entrance. There are a few bouncers hanging outside, and I recognize them as members of the local gang from their tattoos. There is a sudden shift in the air as I approach the entrance, and it’s clear they recognize the club patch on my leather jacket.

“What would a Steel Rebel be doing here?” the bouncer at the door asks gruffly, his hard eyes on mine, perhaps trying to gauge what mood I’m in. It’s not good, and it will definitely only get worse from here. “Are you looking for trouble?”

“Depends,” I say, sizing him up before quickly dismissing him as a threat. The bouncer looks to be about my height, with bulging muscles that I would bet are only for show. This gang is more about intimidation than action. “I’m here to collect someone. You gonna let me in?”

His eyes darken as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Depends,” he says, echoing me with a sarcastic grin. “Does the someone in question want to be collected?”

“She’ll leave willingly,” I say, nodding toward the club. “I won’t cause a scene as long as no one gets in my way.”

“Who is she and what’s she to you?”

“Long brown hair, gray eyes, and a fake ID. You just let her and her friend inside,” I grind out, my voice dangerously low. “Who she is, isn’t your business.”

His eyes flash with recognition. “Rebecca?” I assume that must have been the name on her fake ID. “Her ID was fake? Shit. My boss’ll have my ass if he finds out I let in an underage chick.”

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