“We’ll ask the questions.” I watch Axel morph into leader Axel. The one who can make a grown man cry with just a look. “How do you know Brady Stinson?”
“Who?”
“Don’t play fucking stupid,” Axel barks. “You have his phone. I want to know where he is and why you have it.”
“I don’t know who that is!”
“We’re running it upstairs.” Axel pulls brass knuckles out of his pocket and slides them on. “You might as well tell us the truth.”
“I am!”
Axel strikes him right in the ribs before the guy can blink. I know the damage Axel can do with one punch. Add in the brass knuckles? This guy doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into. The guy’s scream rips through the air, making me wince. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know!”
“You don’t know? Or you don’t know who he is?” Sean asks, walking behind him.
“I don’t know who he is!”
“Liars go to hell,” Sean says. He braces his hands on the guys back so that when Axel hits him, he won’t swing around. “You should just tell us.”
The guy doesn’t even get the lie out of his mouth before Axel lands blow after blow to his upper torso. Bones crunch under Axel’s fists, causing the guy to scream, cry, and beg us to let him go.
Axel’s phone rings, so he tosses the brass knuckles to Cole and slides to answer.
“What’s up, Gray?” Cole hits the guy so hard that the bone in his wrist cracks from the cuffs. The scream echoes around the basement.
“Did you really answer the phone while you were torturing someone?” Gray asks.
“It’s not like you don’t know what I do.”
Gray chuckles. “Evie wanted me to call about Maria’s birthday party.”
“Shit,” Axel sighs. “I don’t know if it’s safe for us to come to Abbs Valley around you guys right now. We have a pissed off ex and crazy dad on our ass.”
“Why didn’t you call? I can come down…”
“Absolutely not. You need to stay with your family.”
“Evie’s going to kick your ass if you get yourself killed.”
“Don’t I know it,” Axel mutters.
“Look. Where else would be safer than here? You have tons of us here that will keep you safe.”
“I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about bringing this shit down on your head.”
“Are you doubting my abilities, brother? Bring the girl and your crew.”
Axel frowns. “How do you know about the girl?”
“Sean told Ghost. Ghost told Caden. And you know the rest. Caden gossips worse than all our women combined.”
“Oops,” Sean laughs.
“Fine, but don’t blame me if you have an impromptu meeting with Charlie.”
“Charlie comes near my family, and he’ll fuck around and meet the Reaper.”