Page 2 of A Show of Love (The Cowboy Gangster)

‘Do you honestly think they will go through with it?’Kane had asked when Axel posed the idea.‘Because I don’t see it happening.’

Truthfully? Axel didn’t either. But he and Kane had one advantage; the gangsters would do just aboutanythingto make them happy.

Just about.This could very well be the exception.

Axel reached over and ran his palm along the cowboy’s leg, his denim Wranglers stretched taut around his muscular thigh. Clint looked at his hand and then his face. Axel smiled. “I’m going to reward youso hardfor this.”

“For what?” Clint muttered suspiciously.

“For tonight.”

Clint eyed him. “Where thehellare you taking us?”

“You’ll see.”

The cowboy grunted.

Axel laughed softly and directed the car along the designated route through the city streets. It wouldn’t take the men long to figure out where they were headed.

Right on cue, Clint came to attention and his eyes narrowed to slits. “This is the way to the club.” He turned to Axel with scrutiny. “Whyare you taking us to the club?”

“I told you, it’s a surprise.”

A low guttural sound rumbled in Cochise’s chest.

“Stop worrying,” Axel chuckled. “Tonight will be fun andpainless,I promise.”

Painless? Are you sure? You and Kane may be feeling some pain when these guys find out what you’re planning.

Again, Axel would take his chances.

They approached the club and Axel parked in a spot near the entrance and turned off the car.

Clint frowned. “Why is the sign off? The club never closes this early.”

Axel shrugged and smiled. “It’s only closed to the public.” He opened his door. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

The cowboy stayed put. “Why?”

“Comeon,”Axel laughed. “Trust me, baby.”

Kane got out of the back, urging Cochise to follow. The two men took their time exiting the vehicle, both on red alert as they reluctantly trailed their fiancés into the Phoenix Club.

Three

Clint exchanged an uneasy look with Cochise as they pushed through the entrance doors and into the dark entryway. The main club was dim, the only light coming from the stage area and the bar. There was no bartender in sight and the stage was vacant.

“What’re we doing here?” Clint asked. “Where is everyone?”

“I told you,” Axel said. “The club is closed to the public for tonight.”

“Whyis it closed?” Clint’s dark premonition intensified.

“Max said we could use it.”

“Use it for what?” Cochise growled.

“For our surprise.”

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