Page 9 of Axel Martin

“You tell me. Any angry ex-boyfriends? Obsessed fans? Creeps from the road?”

I hesitated. Then nodded. “There was one guy. He used to message me constantly. Started showing up to storm chaser meetups. Somehow tagged my location before I even posted anything.”

“You report it?”

“Once. Nothing happened. I blocked him. Figured if I ignored it, he’d go away.”

Axel’s jaw clenched hard. “You have a name?”

“I don’t remember. I deleted everything. I didn’t want to give him more power.”

He stood. “You’re not staying here tonight.”

I blinked. “Axel—”

“No argument. Grab what you need. You’re coming with me.”

I crossed my arms. “To your house?”

“It’s off-grid. Harder to track. Secure. Only two people have ever been inside.”

“Let me guess. Your dog and the President?”

“You think I’m joking.”

I grabbed my bag. “You’re really not, are you?”

“Nope.”

His place wasnothing like the SEAL compound. It was all dark wood, cool stone, tucked so deep into the trees it felt like the world disappeared. And the dog…well all I can say is I loved him at first sight. He was the largest German Shepherd I had ever seen. I swear he smiled when he saw me.

“Did your dog just smile?”

“Bravo, smiles at people he likes I guess he likes you.”

I stepped all the way inside… and felt safe.

Which was weird. Because I don’tdosafe.

Axel locked the door behind me, then turned to face me, eyes steady and unshakable.

“You’re not going back to that trailer until I find out who’s watching you.”

“You always this bossy?”

He stepped closer. Just enough to set my nerves dancing. “Only when I care what happens.”

That heat between us? It snapped right back into place. Alive and pulsing.

Danger outside.

Fire inside.

And for once, I didn’t try to put the flames out.

9

Axel

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