Page 64 of Always A Villain
“Because you need to eat, and I need to feed you.”
I don’t answer. Just stare out the window, chewing on the inside of my cheek.
He doesn’t push again. Just makes a turn, then another. A few minutes later, we’re pulling into a drive-thru. I don't even pay attention to the menu.
Tears prick at my eyes, and I swallow over the lump in my throat. I can’t keep it together anymore. All I want—god,allI want—is to reach out to Spencer. Beg him to forgive me, to tell him how sorry I am, how I never meant for things to end up like this.
As Axe orders, I dig through the console for a charger, plugging in my cracked phone. Finally, the screen flickers to life, bathing the car in its dim glow as I’m hit with a barrage of notifications. But none from Spencer.
Not a single one.
I take a shaky breath, close my eyes, and try to hold it together. After everything...I can’t believe this.This is it.My punishment. For breaking the vow, for daring to take back some semblance of control.
Once the food is in Axe’s hands, he pulls into a parking spot and cuts the engine.
“Here, no cheese,” he says, holding out a hamburger. Heunwraps it like it’s some peace offering, and just that simple gesture has tears welling up again.
“Rory?” His voice shifts, softer, more concerned.
I can’t hold it in anymore. “Today, in my dad’s office...” I start, my voice trembling. “The way Spence looked at me... He looked at me like I was filth. Like hehatedme. He didn’t even try to stop him. Just sat there... I know what I did was fucked up, but that look... I’ve never felt so ashamed.”
The sobs come, shaking my whole body. “I’ve ruined everything,” I choke out. “All because I wanted something that was mine. Something the Sovereign couldn’t touch or take away.” The confession is like an unstoppable wave. “I just needed to know that a part of me was still mine. Stillfree.That’s why I did it, in case you’re wondering.” I wipe at my face, tears blurring my vision, but they keep coming. “It wasn’t about the sex or the money—it was about control. It was about me, just me...needing to have control oversomething.”
He says nothing, but suddenly, I’m in his lap, his arms wrapping around me. I bury my face into his chest, the sobs wracking through me violently, and he just holds me. Tight. Protective.
“Little siren,” he murmurs as his hand strokes through my hair. “Breathe.” His tone is steady and soothing, and I struggle to follow, inhaling in short bursts. “In and out,” he repeats. “In and out.”
I clutch at his shirt as he rubs slow circles on my back. “I’ve already taken care of everything.”
I pull back slightly, eyes wide, searching his face. “What do you mean? What did you do?”
“I’ve had your vows restored. You won’t face any punishment.” His gaze locks onto mine. “I can’t fix things with Spencer...but he’ll pay for the way he treated you.” His jaw tightens, and there’s something dark in his eyes.
“How?” My voice wavers, my breath catching. “How did you do it?”
“Don’t worry about that. All you need to focus on is that you’re not in trouble.”
His hand rests on my neck, fingers trailing just enough to send comforting shivers down my spine. I should say something—shouldbe able to say something—but for once, words fail me.
“Axe…” I manage, but he’s already leaning in, his lips barely grazing mine, his breath warm as he whispers, “You’re mine, baby. Mine to protect, mine to love.” It’s not a declaration, it’s a statement, like gravity or the sky being blue. His fingers slide into my hair, cradling the back of my neck in a way that leaves me more breathless than the kiss itself.
And damn him, my breathing actually slows. He has that effect, like pulling me out of the storm without even trying. His thumb traces my jaw, possessive but so tender it almost makes me forget everything.
“Let’s go home.” And before I can protest, his lips are on mine again, just enough to leave me wanting more, then he’s settling me back into the passenger seat like he didn’t just blow my mind.
I’m still reeling, my head spinning with a thousand unanswered questions.
Did he really do this?
He hands me my hamburger with a small smirk playingon his lips. He knows exactly how tangled I am inside.
“Eat,” he orders, that hint of sternness surfacing as the car starts moving again.
I take a bite, more to keep from saying something than because I’m actually hungry.
Between Spencer, the motorcycle crash, and this whole damn day, it’s a miracle I’m not passed out already. I drift in and out of sleep, lulled by the steady hum of the engine, until the car finally stops.
Axe leans over, unbuckling my seat belt, his arms wrapping around me. Warm, solid,safe.
