Chapter 12

Axel

I follow my brother down the backstairs and into the basement. I put my phone and my knife in the plastic container that sits on a table outside of the door of the meeting room. My father is seated at the head of the table. My Uncle, Striker, my VP sits to the side of him and across from my Uncle sits Stephanie accompanied by Hades, Prez of the Devils Rejects. I take my seat next to my Uncle and Abel takes the seat next to mine. The rest of the club isn’t here, and I wonder what in the hell is going on.

“We’ve gotta get a handle on this shit with Hernandez,” my father speaks first.

“He has been hounding me since Tiny’s death,” Stephanie says.

Hades looks to me. “I see you did your part.” He smirks and nods at the hickey on my neck. I cover it with my hand as all eyes turn to me.

I don’t say anything at first but realize they all expect me to. “I’ll claim Ainsley. Marrying me affords her extra protection, but I need to ask why do you all care?”

“Because we all agree that she can’t help who her father was, and we won’t send an innocent girl to a monster. He’ll marry her and take her money and once he has a hold on her he’ll kill Stephanie and take over the Leone territory making it a problem for all of us. Then he will either kill Ainsley or continue to torture her. Raul is dirty.”

I get what they are saying. “So, it’s settled. Harley will just have to share her day with me and Ainsley then.”

“Not so fast,” my father cuts in. “You’re supposed to turn yourself in a few days. You won’t do that girl any good from behind bars. I’m sorry, Axel but it has to be someone else.”  My blood runs cold at his words and all color drains from my face imagining her with any other man. They all look to my brother and I clench my fists under the table.

“I’ll do it.” Abel smirks at me and clamps a hand down on my shoulder, shaking me. “I am my brother’s keeper.” He laughs. “Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll keep her warm for you,” he teases, and I push my chair back and grab him around the throat. All humor leaves his face and Hades starts to intervene, but my father crashes his fist down on the table.

“Enough. You won’t disrespect me in my house.”

I let go and Abel rubs his throat giving me a dirty look. Stephanie wants to see Ainsley, but I ask her to give me a minute with her first. The meeting is adjourned and it’s over. Ainsley will marry my brother and they will be taking over the Texas territory while I am left to rot. I know it’s the right thing to do. It is the best choice for everyone, but it feels wrong.

I stomp up the stairs and throw the door to my old room open. Ainsley is on the bed curled up with my Grandma’s quilt. I take a seat on the bed and stroke my fingers through her hair. “We need to talk.”

She sits up. “Okay.”

“I just spoke with my old man and your stepmother.”

Her eyes widen. “She’s here?”

I nod. “The thing is. Stephanie doesn’t want to see you share the fate that your own mother did. Your old man used your mother to gain control of some territory. He tortured her. He raped her all the time and eventually drove her mad. She’s alive, Ainsley.  She is in a home somewhere out west. Stephanie says she is going to take you to see her when things calm down, but your father’s death left a lot of men eager for power. Eager to use you to make it happen. Stephanie is protected by her connection to her ex-husband but that won’t stop them from trying to take her out and it sure as hell won’t stop them from taking you against your will to get your money.”

“It’s blood money. I don’t want any of this.” Tears burn in the corners of her eyes. “My mom…she’s really?” She swallows, and I rub her jaw.

“Yeah, you’re going to meet her soon.” My bottom lip trembles and I struggle to tell her the next part. “The thing is… our situation…it’s not ideal. You’re unprotected and I’m going away for who knows how long. Someone has to claim you and as bad as I want to it can’t be me. You need someone…” She pulls away from me, sobbing into her hands. “Ainsley, listen to me. My brother.”

“Your brother!” She screams and shoves at my chest. “I want you, Axel. I can pay. I’ll give that senator every penny if it buys your freedom. I’ll do whatever…”

I bring my mouth down on hers, tasting her tears, feeling like a loser. I breathe in the cinnamon scent of her golden colored skin. “I’m sorry,” I whisper against her lips.

“I know you are…” her voice cracks and I hug her to me.

“Listen to me. I need you to marry my brother. There’s a good possibility that my baby is growing inside you. You are going to need him, and he’ll treat you right.”

She shakes her head as her tears continue to fall. “No. I’ll wait for you.”

“Baby, I’m going to be aching and burning for you when I’m on the inside but there is no damn point in you waiting for me. I may never leave that prison once I go in,” I confess the one thing that scares me the most.

“Stop. I don’t want to hear anymore.”

“Okay.” I kiss her soft and deep and hold her until she quiets her sobs. Rubbing her back I attempt to calm her. I don’t like this shit either but it’s the only option. We can’t run. Not with me facing charges and the cartel out for her blood.

Eventually she pulls away, drying her eyes with the hem of her shirt. I kiss her again knowing what I need to do. I trace her lips with my tongue and the angles of her face with my fingers, committing the shape of her to memory. I breathe in her sweet smell one more time. “Stephanie is waiting downstairs to talk to you and I got some things to take care of. I’ll be back soon.” I wink at her as I get up from the bed.

“Okay,” she croaks. I think we both know I won’t be back. I’d rather turn myself in now. I don’t think I can bear to watch her marry my brother and see his mark on her.

I smile at her, a pretty picture laying on my bed wrapped in my Foxie’s quilt. This is how I want to remember her. Ainsley came at me out of nowhere fast and so fucking hard. My chest squeezes tight as I close the door and leave her laying there. I pass my brother on the stairs knowing he’s coming for her.

I stop him. “Just promise me that you’ll be good to her.”

He laughs. “Don’t worry. We’ll both be waiting for you. The day you get out she’ll be back in your arms and I’ll step aside so you can take your rightful place at the head of the club. I never wanted any of this you know.”

I know he didn’t but thinking something isn’t possible is one thing then having it land in your lap is another.

“Just do me proud.”

He gives me a hug and I get to the bottom of the stairs. My old man is waiting for me with my mother. The broken expression on her face almost brings me to my knees. I hate hurting the people I love. I hate breaking my mother’s heart.

“We’ll have you out in a few days once they set bail,” my mother tells me.

I don’t have it in me. I told my father to leave me in there, because if they bail me out, I’ll be too tempted to take Ainsley up on her offer to run.

My Grandpa, Grim brings me in for a rough hug. “Don’t drop the soap.” He chuckles. “You’ll be fine. Already got contacts in place to keep you safe in there.”  I nod.

My stomach is in knots as I get in the back of the car. My Uncle Striker is behind the wheel.

I look back at the clubhouse wishing I had fucked Ainsley one more time.