Page 24 of Redemption

Axel

I haul ass out thedoor before she can have time to question me further or follow behind. My brothers, the asshats, already snuck out leaving me to face the firing squad all by myself. When Asher texted me of the plans late last night, I knew using a day with Charlee as a cover is the only way I could get away with leaving her here. I should feel bad about using Hellcat for this, but I don’t. I’ve learned the only way to stay one step ahead of Kelsey is if I spring things on her last minute.

Minutes after we walk out the door the three of us are buckled inside the cab of Asher’s truck, since it’s the only one that isn’t fucked up or blown to shit. I don’t miss the pair of legs storming out the door in our direction. We’re too fast for her though and her image disappears into a cloud of dust behind us.

“You do realize that your ass will be in the dog house for that when we get back, right?” Asher keeps his eyes on the road as he speaks.

“Probably.” There’s no stopping the grin that flashes across my face at the thought. “But I do enjoy taming the kitty.”

“Damn it, Ax!” Zane shakes his head.

“Y’all brought it up. What did you expect? Just because you’ve been like a fucking monk the past few years, doesn’t mean the rest of us have to go without.”

“What’s he talking about?” That draws Asher’s attention and he takes his eyes off the road long enough to glance in Zane’s direction.

Zane’s body tenses against the front seat and I’m pretty sure if I was sitting up there with them he’d have slapped me upside the head. I feel bad for outing his shit like this, but only for a split second. He needs that shove to deal with his demons and the only one that can push him that far or even understand them is Asher.

“It’s Axel. He’s talking out of his ass like he always does.” Zane plays it off, but there’s no missing the glare he sends me from the window’s reflection on his door. He’s going to make me pay for this later.

“Right.” Asher lets it go, but I know my big brother. This isn’t over. He’s just picking his moment to confront Zane, which means we’re having another fun family meeting in the basement soon. And I’m not taking one for the team this time. They can beat the shit out of each other until he cracks.

Nobody speaks again the rest of the drive is as we head into a fluent suburb deep in the heart of Atlanta. I don’t miss the way Asher’s hands ball into fists around the steering wheel the closer we get. Not that I blame him. Charlee’s father’s old place isn’t too far from here and while we handled that situation, it doesn’t mean we’ve stopped watching his men. As long as they leave us and ours alone, then we do the same for them.

Thanks to our business dealings with the Governor we’re able to make it through the security gate and up the driveway without any issues. Things change the second we pull in making my scalp prickle. There are no cars are in the driveway. The lawn is overgrown, which is out of place since we know for a fact that the Governor has a gardener attend to that shit twice a week. Something is off about this entire scene.

“Just like I thought. The motherfucker ghosted us.” Asher slams his hand against the steering wheel as my temper flares. I don’t like being used.

Zane hops out of the truck without saying a word. He knows when Asher’s like this it’s best to let him be, otherwise you end up with a fist in your face.

“Well, while we’re here we might as well take a look around.” I hop out and run up the stairs of the front porch with my brothers trailing behind me. An oversized glass door is the only thing standing between me and the answers I crave, so I do what any sane person would do. I reach on my back pocket and pull out my kit. The second I do, Asher sends me a strange look.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I’m picking the lock. Why? What’s it look like I’m doing?” My eyes flick up to meet his stare, but my hands never stop working on the lock.

“Ax.” His heated voice comes out as a warning, but I’m know I’m right and not backing down.

“You know another way to get in?” I cock an eyebrow at him because he’s getting on my damn nerves right now.

“No,” Asher shakes his head.

“At least make sure it’s the right door this time.” Zane shoots me a look and I’m seconds away from pulling that damn bun off his head.

“Funny, asshole.” I shake my head and go back to what I was doing. One fucking mistake and they’ll never let me live it down.

“He’s probably got the place wired with alarms, Ax.” Asher ignores us and keeps bitching at me. He’s like a damn dog with a bone sometimes.

“Then you best be ready to disarm that shit fast.” I twist my hands a couple more times before the lock finally gives way. “Let’s see what big bad daddio’s been up to.”

Guns cock behind me as I put my shit away and pull mine from the holster on my side, mimicking their movement. I reach for the knob, but Asher puts his arm out stopping me.

“Just know if the alarm company calls you’re dealing with that shit. Not me.”

“Sure thing, mom.” I hold my breath as I push open the door because the last thing I want is for Asher to be right. My head cocks to the side taking in every sound, but nothing greets us back. A deep sigh leaves me as I stand back and motion with my hand for them to go on ahead. “After you, ladies.”

“Wise ass.” Asher rolls his eyes, but holds his gun out in front of him, stepping past me and further into the foyer. Zane and I pull up the rear behind him doing the same thing because who knows what kind of crazy shit awaits us. After all the shit we’ve been through we’re taking no chances.

Everything is lifeless and cold inside. The first thing that hits me is the stale air. This place has been closed up tight for a good long while. The back of my scalp tingles once again. Something is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

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