Page 7 of No Mercy
30 minutes later and I’m finally pulling into the office parking lot. Normally it only takes me 20 minutes, but after seeing Axel standing at those doors. I had to take a longer route, to make sure I wasn’t being followed. Putting the car into park, I grab the yellow folder from the glove box and step out of the car.
“Fuck, phone.” I mumble, reaching into the footwell and prying it free from its hideout. I stand, staring at the entrance to the office, preparing myself mentally before turning the phone over.
Mandy: Three missed calls.
Mandy: Ten unread messages.
Oh yeah, I’m screwed.
Groaning, I throw my head back and lock the car before heading towards my own murder scene. The only thing I’m certain of right now, is that Ineverwant to see Axel Ashford ever again.
CHAPTER 4
AXEL
“I need to find her,”I say, my voice sharp as Carter shuts the office door behind him. Heading to the desk, I fire up the CCTV footage from outside the gym.
“What’s going on, Axel? Who is she?” Carter asks, standing there with his arms crossed, his brows furrowed. I glance up at him, catching the worry in his eyes. Letting out a sigh, I shut the footage off and drop into my chair, running a hand down my face.
“I don’t know who she is, but when I saw her… man, it was like I could breathe again. For the first time since Mom and Dad died, it felt like there was something left for me. I don’t know what it is about her, but I can’t let this go.”
Carter doesn’t say anything, but his face softens. The room is dead quiet—thank God for the soundproofing. Since moving to Boston, we’ve done everything we can to lay low. No one here knows who we are, and it’s gonna stay that way.
Back in Chicago, it was a different story. Dad was one of the most feared mafia bosses, and not in a good way. After his funeral, it was chaos. Everyone wanted the throne, but the rules were clear, the oldest had to take over or, our whole bloodlinehad to be wiped out for anyone else to take over. And as the oldest? That meant me.
So, I did what I had to do. Packed up the family, left Chicago in the rear view, and headed east. Boston’s far enough to stay off anyone’s radar but close enough to keep a grip on our assets. Our youngest brother, Gunnar, just turned seventeen. He doesn’t know anything about that life, and I’ll be damned if I let him get dragged into it. He deserves a chance at something normal. Something better. I glance back at Carter, who’s pacing now, running a hand through his blond hair.
“So, we know her name’s Eva, she’s driving a fancy BMW, and she’s new in town,” he says, piecing it together like he’s solving a crime.
I nod, letting him work through it.
Suddenly, he stops, a grin spreading across his face. “What about her plates? Ant could run ‘em, right? He’s a whizz at that shit.” Before I can say a word, Carter’s already grabbing his phone and heading for the door, slamming it behind him. The amount of times I’ve told that damn boy to stop slamming the doors… Fuck, I sound like our mother. No doubt she will be turning in her grave every time that door shuts.
Following his lead, I lock the computer and head out. Just as I turn the key to lock the office, I feel arms snake around my waist from behind.
“Hey, handsome. Where have you been hiding?” a familiar voice purrs. I groan, recognising Rachel immediately. “Not now,” I tell her, peeling her arms off me. “I told you, I’m not interested.”
She steps around to face me, pouting like she’s trying to play me. “Oh, come on, baby. We had a good time last week, didn’t we?” I glance around the gym. It’s empty. Figures.. it’s officially after hours.
Rachel takes the opportunity to close the space between us, her hands trailing up my chest, her nails scraping lightly against the fabric of my shirt. My jaw tightens, my body betraying me as the familiar heat starts to coil low in my gut.
“You’re tense,” she murmurs, her voice dripping with suggestion. “Let me help you relax.” Her hand slides lower, and my breath hitches as her fingers brush the waistband of my joggers.
“Fuck it,” I mutter, my restraint snapping.
I grab her hips and pull her against me, her soft gasp spurring me on as I lift her effortlessly. Her legs wrap around my waist, her arms looping around my neck as she leans in, her lips finding mine. The kiss is hot and messy, all teeth and tongue as I push us toward the office. By the time we get to the door, my hands are roaming under her shirt, her skin warm and smooth beneath my palms.
I fumble with the lock, barely managing to turn the key before I kick the door open and carry her inside. The second the door shuts, Rachel’s hands are in my hair, tugging hard enough to make me groan. She tilts my head to the side, her lips trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down my neck.
“You taste so good,” she whispers, her voice breathy.
My hands move to her ass, gripping tight as I set her on the desk. She tugs at my shirt, pulling it over my head, her eyes darkening as they rake over my chest. “Fuck, Axel,” she breathes, her hands mapping every ridge and line of muscle.
I smirk, sliding my hands up her thighs, pushing her legs apart as I step closer. Hooking my fingers in the waistband of her leggings, I tug them down, her panties going with them. She gasps as the cool air hits her skin, her hands gripping the edge of the desk.
“You’re so wet already,” I growl, my fingers sliding through towards her entrance. Her head falls back, a moan slipping past her lips.
“Please, Axel,” she begs, her voice shaky. I free my cock, stroking it slowly as I position myself between her legs. Her eyes drop as she watches me line up. With one hard thrust, I’m buried inside her, and we both groan at the sensation. Her nails dig into my shoulders as I set a brutal pace, the sound of our skin slapping against each other filling the small office. I move a hand to her core, rubbing my fingers in circles against her clit.
