Page 67 of Redemption

Kelsey

A filter of colors swirlin front of me until my eyes adjust to the light. My throat is tender to the touch. It feels like I’ve swallowed broken glass. I tilt my head to take in the strange bedroom, but let out a sharp groan. Everything hurts.

“Easy there, Wildcat. I’ve got you.” A warm finger strokes the side of my head and he leans over until I’m staring up at my favorite pair of blue eyes.

“Ax?”

Dark circles mar his features as he rubs his thumb along my upper lip. “You took years off my life tonight.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry. This wasn’t your fault. It was mine for not protecting you.” The muscles of his throat flex a he swallows.

Overcome with the need to touch him, I try to sit up. That’s a huge mistake. My body is one giant ball of pain that knocks the wind out of me and has me falling back against the mattress with a soft whimper.

“Careful.” Warm hands press my shoulders back down against the mattress. “Finn had his doctor check you out to make sure you’re okay, but I still don’t want you to risk it.” He shifts his weight to stand and a wave of anxiety courses through me.

“Will you stay with me?” My hands turn clammy at the thought of him leaving me here alone.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He pulls me into his chest and intertwines our bodies together. “Wildcat, I need to know something.” His thumbs draw small circles along the sides of my cheeks as I see a storm building behind his baby blues. “I need to know if he—” He clears his throat a couple of times and forces out the rest of his words after a couple of tries. “Did he touch you?”

“No. You got to me in time before he could…” I can’t bring myself to finish those words, but Axel understands without me having to do so.

His shoulders sag next to me as he lets out the breath I didn’t realize he was holding at my answer. “Thank Christ.” He lays back on the bed and pulls me in tight against his side as his hand rubs along my back. No words are spoken, but none are needed. Axel knows what I need without me having to tell him.

“It's okay. You’re safe and I’ve got you. I always will, Wildcat,” he whispers against the top of my head.

“Knock. Knock.” Charlee’s voice cuts through our silent haven.

Axel let’s out a deep sigh that I feel against my head. “I could have sworn I locked the damn door.”

“You did.” She shrugs and steps into the room, bouncing a happy Lily on her hip. “Asher’s been teaching me how to pick them.” She motions to him as he trails into the room behind her.

Axel sits up against the headboard and pulls me up next to him. “Man, you need to control your woman.” Axel cocks his head to the side and shoots his older brother a pointed stare.

Asher’s lips twitch into a sliver of a smile, which for him is huge, but he doesn't comment otherwise. Instead, his gaze lands on me.“How are you feeling, Kelsey?”

“I’ve been better.”

“Where’s Z?” Axel asks as he glances around the room.

“Around,” is all Asher says, but that word means much more to Axel because a huge grin spreads across his face, showcasing his dimples.

“Thatta boy, Z.” Axel’s comment is met with silence. It’s clear there’s something more going on and when I’m feeling back to normal I’m going to get it out of them. Every detail.

Lily chooses that moment to make her presence known. “Someone else has missed you and wants to say hi.” Charlee laughs and hands me the squirming baby.

“Hey, little one.” I stare down at those wide green eyes and my heart melts. Drool drips down her chubby cheeks as she gnaws on her fist.

Axel leans in until I can feel the heat of his breath against the nape of my neck. “You look hot as fuck like this and I can’t wait to put my babies in you.” He presses a quick kiss to my neck and starts playing with Lily’s hand like he didn’t just drop a bomb on me.

My heart hammers in my chest as I picture dark haired little ones running around with their dad’s blue eyes and dimples. The thought has my thighs pressing together.

Lily giggles and wipes a sticky hand on Axel’s face. “Thanks for that, Wildflower.” He cringes and wipes at his face when the sound of a throat clearing has all of our attention.

“Ye’re awake.” A man in a suit that resembles a 1920s gangster smiles at me from the doorway.

My eyebrows pinch together as I shoot a look Axel’s way. A muscle in his jaw tics underneath my stare. “Kelsey, this is—”

“Yer Uncle Finn.” The man from the door smiles, causing the corners of his blue eyes to crease. He’s taking great joy at Axel’s discomfort.

“Thank you for everything.” Unsure of what else to do, I press my lips together and offer him a small smile. He may be my mother’s brother, but it’s going to take me some time to feel comfortable around him.

“It was nothin’. Yer family and we protect our own. Nothin’ like that will happen to ye ever again. Ye have me word.” Finn dips his chin and strolls out of the room just as silently as he appeared.

“I know he’s your uncle and everything, Wildcat, but he scares the shit out of even me and I live with this fucker’s ugly face.” Axel jabs a thumb in Asher’s direction.

“Fuck off, Ax.” Asher shakes his head, but there’s no harshness to his word.

Taking in every person that’s in this room and watching these two battle it out has a warmth spreading across my chest. For so long I’ve felt lost and alone; like I had no one. And I may have lost both of my parents, but now I’ve found something better, something that makes me feel complete—a family.

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