Chapter 14
Prettyboy sat around the very same table he’d been dreading seeing.
They'd talked about helping Axel with his turf war going on involving the Silver Bullets. They’d discussed money, business, and tonight's party.
Now, they were discussing something much more interesting to Damon Michael.
The current topic of discussion?
Esmeralda Quinn.
Axel had only just gotten off the phone with his club enforcer, Tango, and the expression on his face told Prettyboy that whatever had happened, wasn't good.
“What’s the word, brother?”
Ox’s deep voice broke up the tension in the room, and Axel sighed before he finally closed his burner phone and looked up at him.
“Esme destroyed her room. Tango said the place looks like a bomb went off.”
Prettyboy and a few others swore under their breath.
“I don't know what to do. I don't know what the fuck she needs. I thought sending her here would make things better. I thought it would help her heal, move on,” Axel said sadly.
“I’ll never understand women,” Slayer said.
“I don't know how to help her either,” Ox said truthfully.
“She has to want to move on,” Fury said.
Axel looked at him questioningly.
“When I was spiraling, Ox and everybody else tried everything to knock some sense into me. It wasn’t until I found something else worth living for, that I finally found the strength to move on from Lizzie’s death. I know exactly what Esme's going through,” Fury said as he smoked a cigarette.
“She doesn't have anyone else?,” Torch asked from the corner of the room.
Axel shook his head.
“She’s a loose cannon, yeah, but I can’t even imagine losing someone the way she did,” Green said sadly.
“Eventually, she has to move on, right?,” Slayer asked.
“Yeah, but it sounds like she's not quite there yet,” Rider said.
Prettyboy glanced at him.
“You’re right.”
Rider had his tablet in his hands as he looked at the men around the table.
“We’re having a party here tonight. Do you think she can handle that many people being around?”
Axel grunted as he too lit a square and parked it between his straight teeth.
“Esme can handle just about anything. She didn't do this shit when she was in my clubhouse. She drank too much, slept a lot, and cried incessantly. She didn't destroy things.”
“Yeah, because she got to hide away from the truth in that tiny fucking room she shared with Chris. It was easier for her to survive that way, surrounded by their things,” Prettyboy rasped.
Everyone looked at him then, obviously surprised.
“What?”
“You sound like you care about what happens to her,” Fury said.
“Of course I fuckin’ care. But, it doesn't matter what I want,” He said.
“What you want? What, you want Esme?”
Axel’s gritty voice sounded defensive, but Prettyboy had no idea why.
He wouldn't hurt her, not on purpose.
“And what if I do?”
“Esme’s not a tagalong. She’s a ride or die, Prettyboy. She’s fuckin’ fragile right now. I don't want to see her get hurt,” Axel said.
His tone was pleasant enough, but his eyes were filled with steely determination.
“You think I would hurt her?”
“I think you’re too fucked up with your own shit to know what’s good for her.”
The honesty in Axel’s voice, the truth of his words hit Prettyboy right where Axel wanted them to: his heart.
“Wow, calm down. Prettyboy wouldn't hurt a lady,” Green said as he glanced back and forth at the two.
Axel shifted in his seat, sending a glare Green’s way. The irishman didn't even flinch.
“I didn't say he would, did I?”
“Okay, everyone calm down. Esme may be old lady status, but she ain’t claimed anymore. Her old man is gone, which means she’s single. No one is trying to claim her-”
Prettyboy snapped his gaze in Ox’s direction, his green eyes alight with anger and sadness and something akin to…hope?
“I am.”
Axel straightened up in his chair immediately.
“No.”
“Yes. And if you want to fight me for the right to do so in the cage tonight, I’ll let you.”
Prettyboy had no idea what made him say those words; maybe it was the fact that he could see Esme fading. Maybe it was because he'd meant what he told her in the last note he’d given her.
He did want to taste her.
And hold her.
And, maybe even keep her.
“This is fuckin’ nuts, man. You don’t even know this chick!,” Limit said reasonably.
“I don’t care what anyone at this fuckin’ table thinks. I want Esmeralda Quinn.”
Ox’s dark eyes assessed him slowly.
“You know what you’re sayin?”
Prettyboy wasn't sure of a lot these days, especially when it came to women; there was a fifty-fifty chance Esmeralda would turn him down flat, and a part of him almost hoped that’s exactly what she did. Yet the other part of him, the part that dreamt about the way she’d touched his scorched skin, the part of him that yearned to sip her lips and finally find out what she tasted like…well, that was the part of him he was listening to.
“I know exactly what I’m sayin’.”
Axel pierced him with a fiery stare that would have fell a lesser man.
“If you do anything, I mean fuckin’ anything to hurt her, I’ll fillet you like a fish and give her your remains.”
“If I ever do anything to hurt her, I’ll let you,” Prettyboy said.
Ox sighed and leaned back in his chair, his gaze still stuck to Prettyboy’s face.
“If you’re sure about this, then fine. But, Esme has to want that, too.”
Prettyboy slammed a fist down onto the table and nodded.
“I’m perfectly aware of that.”
Fury cleared his throat and glanced at Prettyboy before he dipped his head.
“Prettyboy’s a good man, Axel. He won’t hurt her.”
Axel nodded in Fury’s direction before he stood from his chair, his tattooed hand outstretched in Prettyboy’s direction.
“I can’t leave Esme here for good until I hear it from her that staying’s what she wants, but I can give you my blessing. Understood?”
Prettyboy also stood, his calloused hand gripping Axel’s tightly.
“Understood.”
Ox’s gavel slammed twice before he jumped out of his own seat.
“Let’s get ready for this party tonight. Axel, you and Fury hittin’ the cage for old time’s sake?”
Fury grinned like a madman and nodded his dark head.
“You bet your ass we are,” He said.
Axel finally cracked a crooked smile himself before he laughed.
“What’s better than a fight between brothers?”
◆◆◆
Esme strolled onto the Seven Deadlies’s lot like she was on a mission, and maybe she was.
She wanted a drink, a stiff one, and maybe a cigarette too.
Rayna was following closely behind, Esme’s wedding dress clutched to her chest.
“Thanks again for this, Esme. I can’t wait to try it on.”
Esme glanced back at her as they stepped into the clubhouse, which was crowded with people.
“I can’t wait to see it on you.”
Fury intercepted them before Esme could get within a foot of the bar.
“I can’t wait to see it on her, either. Thanks for all your help with our wedding,” Fury said kindly as he cupped her shoulder.
Esme’s hair fell into her eyes as she tipped her head back to look into his stormy eyes.
“You’re welcome, Fury.”
He smiled, a rarity for him, before he motioned towards the hallway that led to her bedroom.
“You got someone waitin’ for ya,” He said.
Esme smiled.
Axel.
Like the brother she never knew she wanted, Axel had grown on her over the years.
“Okay. See you guys later.”
Rayna waved excitedly as she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss Fury, Esme’s dress crushed between them.
As Esmeralda headed towards her room, she fingered the golden band in her pocket; the only souvenir she'd taken from her destroyed bedroom back at Axel’s clubhouse.
She knew it was time to put it away.
To let it rest.
As she opened her bedroom door, she was greeted by the sight of Axel’s strong back. His cut was fitted to his tapered waist perfectly, and his long hair was wrapped around one shoulder. She closed the door behind her softly before she faced him.
“How mad are you?”
Axel finally turned around, his eyes dark and intense as he crossed his buff arms across his chest.
“I ain’t mad at ya, baby. I’m worried.”
Esme nodded thoughtfully as she leaned back against her bedroom door, her own arms crossing to match his.
“I had an accident, back at your clubhouse.”
“It’s our clubhouse, and Tango already called me.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Big tattle-tale,” She grumbled.
Axel surprised her when he smiled, and Esme was reminded of how handsome he could be.
“When you first came to me and my club, I told Chris you were too good for him. Did you know that?”
Esme’s eyed widened as he began to close the distance between them.
“It’s the truth, Esme. You’re a good woman. The kind of woman men like us don't come across too often. You’re brave and loyal. You’re beautiful. And you’re so damn sweet it makes my teeth ache,” Axel said as he stopped directly in front of her.
Esme looked up into his eyes, confused, when he nudged her chin up.
He smelled like warm whiskey and menthol.
“Chris died in an accident no one could have foreseen, baby. You losin’ your shit? I saw that comin’ from a mile away. I don't want you to change, Esme. But, I do think you need a wake up call.”
Esme’s eyes welled with tears, and even though she tried to hide them, Axel gently tipped her chin up and shook his head.
“Don’t hide ‘em from me. You know I understand what you’re goin’ through. You know I'm here for you whenever you need me.”
“I need you now,” She said as she choked on her own tears.
Axel’s expression softened like melted butter as he cupped her cheeks in his hands and frowned.
“I’ve been here the whole time, baby. It ain’t helpin’ you. In fact, I’ve only enabled you to hide yourself away from the rest of the world. That ain’t gonna help you in the end, Esme. You gotta put yourself out there and face it, or you’ll always be hiding away in the dark. I can’t think of anything more tragic than people missin’ out on the light you bring to every room you walk into.”
Axel followed his sweet words with a smile of his own, and Esme sucked in a harsh breath.
“How come you believe in me so much?”
Axel made a ticking sound between his teeth as he smoothed the hair out of her eyes, baring them to him.
“Let’s just say I’ve got a soft spot for you, Esmeralda Quinn.”
“A soft spot?”
“Yeah, baby. A soft spot. Unfortunately though, I think there’s a better man out there for ya. And we both know who I’m talkin’ about,” Axel told her.
Esme’s heart pounded in her chest and almost cracked against the inside of her ribcage.
Axel has a soft spot for me?
What the fuck does that even mean?
“Who are you talkin’ about?,” Esme asked shakily.
“Ah, you know who. I’ll tell you exactly what I told Prettyboy, baby. If he hurts you I’ll skin him alive and let you decide what I do with the body. But, I’ve got a real good feelin’ about him, and my gut is never wrong. Take a chance, Esme. Put yourself out there. You’ve got someone waitin' for you," Axel said softly.
Esme blinked away tears that Axel caught with the pads of his thumbs before he stuck one into his mouth, his dark eyes still trained on her.
“How come you never told me?,” She found herself whispering.
That you’re in love with me.
It was written all over his face- Axel cared deeply about her, and it was obvious to her now that he always had.
“You weren't mine back then, and you aren't mine now. If you were meant to be mine, it would be my love notes you’d be stuffin’ in your pillows, baby.”
Esme’s cheeks heated at the idea of him finding her secret stash, but she didn't deny what he was saying.
She couldn’t.
She loved Axel like a brother, like a friend, but her affection for him didn't go much farther past that.
Esme placed her hands on his chest and gripped the edges of his cut as she tugged on them.
“It would be easier if it were you though, huh?”
Axel didn't say anything for a long while, so long in fact, that Esme was sure she’d hurt him in some way with her honest question.
Just as she opened her mouth to reassure him of her affection for him, Axel gently pressed his mouth to hers.
Esme stiffened momentarily before she let him kiss her long and hard. Axel’s hands gripped her waist in a way she’d never been held, and it had Esme’s head spinning when he pressed her body against his.
Just as soon as it started it was over.
Axel pulled away swiftly, leaving both of them breathing heavily.
“I just had to kiss you one time.”
Esme pressed her forehead against his chin as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Thank you for takin’ such good care of me, Axel.”
His deep chuckle vibrated against her chest.
“This ain’t goodbye. I’ll always be here for you, Esmeralda Quinn. So, do me a favor, okay? Get that perfect ass of yours dressed, have a couple of shots, and go get your man.”
Axel’s dark eyes passed over her face one more time before he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“What if he doesn't want me?”
Axel’s smile turned into a smirk as he opened her bedroom door.
“Somethin’ tells me you don't have to worry about that.”
Esme was confused, shocked, nervous- she was a myriad of things, yes, but her stomach was filled with butterflies.
Butterflies.
In the midst of everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, Esmeralda Quinn found herself at an impasse.
What the fuck do I do now?