Page 47 of Axel Martin

Frasier finally cracked. “That’s a long list, man. Lark, Marley… your blood pressure’s gonna kill you before anything else does.”

“I’m trying to keep themalive, Frasier. I’m not out here collecting women like Pokémon cards just to let them self-destruct in peace.”

Marley laughed so hard she snorted. “Did you just compare us to Pokémon?”

“You’re damn right I did. And you’re one of the shiny ones. Rare. Dangerous. Hard to catch. And constantly jumping into traffic.”

We pulled onto the gravel road leading up the mountain, the familiar crunch beneath the tires calming me more than I cared to admit.

My heart had been tight the whole mission, not because of the cartel. Not even because of Marley. But because I’d left Lark behind, and I didn’t like being separated from her for even a second.

Especially not now.

Especially not after everything.

Frasier pulled out his phone as we hit the driveway. “You can let me out here.”

“Okay,” I said, already throwing the truck into park.

“Right now, I need to see my girl and make sure she hasn’t climbed onto the roof chasing a raccoon.”

“You need to make her stop chasing twisters,” Marley said.

The front doorcreaked open before I even knocked.

Lark stood there in one of my old T-shirts, her hair up in that messy bun I loved, her arms crossed like she was trying not to look as relieved as she felt.

“You smell like diesel fuel and frustration,” she said.

“You look like trouble,” I shot back.

“Welcome home, soldier.” Her voice cracked just a little.

And then she threw herself into my arms.

I caught her with a grunt and buried my face in her neck.

Home.

“I brought Marley,” I murmured against her skin.

“I saw. She waved from the backseat like a hostage.”

“She’s grounded.”

“She’s 29.”

“She’s still grounded.”

Lark laughed, tugging me inside. “You gonna ground me too?”

“Damn right I am.”

“Oh, no.” She widened her eyes in mock horror. “What’s my punishment?”

I kicked the door shut and pulled her against me. “You don’t evenwantto know.”

“Try me.”