Page 105 of The Saviors: Part Two
The next morning, I wake up unable to move. I crack my eyes open, only to be met with Axel’s sleeping face. He’s on his side with both arms wrapped around me and his leg between my thighs. Cole is behind me with his arm tucked around my waist, tightened like an anchor.
Last night when Chelsea went downstairs, I was scared for her. Not that Brady could hurt her, but how she would feel after she killed him. We all decided Kai should be the one to comfort her if she needed it, and from the sounds that were coming from upstairs, he did. Holden and I hooked the USBs up to his big computer to let it fight through the encryption. I also ran everything on Sarah Koval, and then Axel said it was time for bed. I peek behind me to see Sean on the other side of Cole, and I can’t keep the stupid smile from my face.
“What are you smiling at, Naughty boy?” Axel’s voice is still rough with sleep, and his eyes are barely open.
I snuggle back into his chest. “I’m just really fucking happy.”
“Me too.” Axel kisses the top of my head. “You want to go for a walk with me?”
“Is this a nature walk or a naked walk?”
Axel chuckles and tips my chin up to look at him with his fingers. “This is an ‘I need to talk to you’ walk. Go take a shower, and I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”
He slides from the bed, and my heart sinks to my stomach. What could he have to talk to me about that he can’t say here? Is this the part where he tells me that we can’t be together anymore?
“I can hear you worrying from here, Darling. It’s not what you think.” I turn over to look at Cole, and he has a soft smile on his face. He runs his fingers down my cheek. “Axel just wants to talk to you alone without any interruptions.”
“Okay,” I say quietly and pull myself from the bed. The whole time I’m showering and brushing my teeth, I can’t help but worry. I thought I was over this part, but I guess I’m not. I put on the clothes that Les gave us last night since we decided to crash here. When I get downstairs, Axel is leaning against the counter, talking to Dex and sipping a cup of coffee. He sees me come around the corner, and I can’t decipher the look on his face. Axel’s always been good at hiding his emotions, and it’s usually for a good reason. But right now, I fucking hate it.
“If you go through the backdoor, there’s a good view of the city. I have fond memories of that swing, so don’t tarnish it.” Dex slaps Axel on the back and disappears from the kitchen.
Axel sets his cup in the sink and walks over to me with his hand out. I slide mine into his trying to hide how nervous I am. He leads me outside, and we walk hand-in-hand in silence for what seems like forever.
“Axel, you’re scaring me,” I say finally.
“I just need a minute to get my thoughts together.” He pulls me to sit beside him on the swing and then scoots away. The longer he takes to talk, the more I prepare myself for what’s about to happen. Axel finally sighs and turns to look at me. “I need to be honest with you about something.”
“Okay.”
“That day in the bathroom?” I nod, knowing exactly what he’s talking about. “After you left, I was so damn confused. I didn’t have anyone there to talk to, so I went to work out, trying to figure everything out. I first chalked it up to being lonely, and that’s the only reason that I let it happen.” I go to stand up, already hating where this is going, but Axel grabs my arm to stop me. “Then I realized how fucking stupid that sounded. Nolan, I got to watch you turn from a scared kid caught between some bad shit to an amazing part of this team. Not only that, I got to watch you fall in love with the woman that I’ve loved my entire life. You and Chelsea are probably the most important part of the Saviors because you hold us all together. You’ve never let me get away with stupid decisions, turn into Charlie, or let me push you away. For that, I’ll never know how to thank you.” He moves closer so his thigh is pressed against mine. Axel grabs my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. “But I’ll start by saying that I love you. I didn’t think it was possible that my heart was big enough to love all of you. I wanted to wait to tell you when this was all over, but I couldn’t wait anymore. I love you. I’m so fucking in love with you that it scares the shit out of me. If you let me, I want to be the man that you’re proud to call yours.” I don’t know what to say, and all I can do is stare into his eyes. “Please say something.” He looks so worried, but all I can do is kiss him. Emotions are clogging my throat, and I try to pour everything I can into this kiss.
I pull back and swallow several times. “I love you too,” I say raggedly. “I never thought I would have this in life. My own parents didn’t even want me. But you showed me there is more to this life, Axel. You never need to thank me. Being with you and this family is all I need.”
Axel crushes me to his chest, his breath whooshing out. “You scared me for a minute, Naughty boy.”
“I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.”
“I’d never be able to let you go.”
Everything starts slotting into place, and I feel a peace settling over all of us. Brady is finally gone, and Charlie is next now that we have a location.
I’m more than ready to start the rest of my life.
* * *
Axeland I stayed cuddled on the swing until Cole came outside to tell us Chelsea and Kai were awake. We needed to start hammering down a plan to go after Charlie so he isn’t tipped off. That could be catastrophic for all of the Abbs Valley crews.
I sit down in front of the loveseat with my laptop and lean back between Axel’s legs. He starts running his fingers through my hair, and I still can’t believe what he said outside. I never thought I’d find love after the mess I found myself in. If it weren’t for Micah and Axel that day in the warehouse, I’d be dead.
Gage jumps from the couch when he sees Chelsea and wraps her in a bear hug. “I knew you were dirty.”
“Gage,” Les barks. “I told you not to embarrass her.”
“It’s not like they were hiding it. Please, add me to your group chat.” Gage sticks his bottom lip out in a pout, and Chelsea laughs.
“Not a chance in hell,” she answers. She pushes him away and sits on Sean’s lap in the chair.
“There’s no penises allowed in the chat. Give it up,” Les says. “Let’s get down to business. Did you guys find anything on the USBs?”
