Page 71 of No Mercy
Carter sighs, clearly frustrated by the situation as he rubs his temples. “Neither of you are trained for this. You’ll slow us down and get yourselves killed.”
Mandy glares at him, not stepping down from the fight, “Then train us. Give us a gun, a knife… Whatever. We’re not asking. We’re telling you.”
I nod, “I’ll stay out of the way,” I add quickly, earning a glare from Carter. “I just… I can’t sit here wondering if you’re going to bring him back in one piece. Ineedto do something.”
Mandy looks towards Ant, pleading for him to help. He looks between us before typing away on his phone.
“Marco already knows about Eva. It’s safer to keep her close than leave her behind. I can help better being with you.”
I look at Mandy as she gives me a wink. I’ve got no bloody idea what is happening with them two but fuck, if it means we get to go. I’m all for it.
Carter curses under his breath, throwing his head back to look at the ceiling. After a few moments, his gaze returns as he points a finger between us. “Fine. But you stay out of the fucking way. You don't move unless we tell you to. Understood?”
I nod, swallowing hard. This is getting a bit too real.
Mandy smirks, saluting his way. “Crystal clear.”
Flynn mutters something about stubborn women as they continue gathering all their belongings.
I glance at the map one last time, memorising the locations.
Wherever Axel is, I’m going to find him.
CHAPTER 33
AXEL
Placingmy helmet on the bike seat, I take a moment by myself to steady my breath.
This is it. Only one of us is walking away from this and I’m determined to make sure that one is me.
I round the corner to the agreed meeting point to see Marco standing there looking smug, with eight of his men surrounding him. Typical. If the roles were reversed, my brothers would be standing with me too.
The thought of my brothers sends a pang through my chest. By now, Ant has probably found the note and I can’t help but wonder if he’s told the others and if Eva has read it.
Her face flashes in my mind and for a split second, my confidence fades. I shake my head pushing the thought of her away. I can’t afford to have any distractions right now.
Marco’s eyes meet him as I get closer, a sickening grin spreading across his face.
God I hate him.
“Axel,” He calls out, opening his arms wide. “You came alone. Is that you trying to be brave or just you being plain stupid?”
I take another step forward, making sure to have a hand brushed up against the gun hidden underneath my jacket.
“Let’s find that out should we?”
Marco barks out a laugh, clapping his hands, “Confident are we?” He takes a step towards me, closing the gap. “Now, I was impressed when you didn’t turn Ant over. I mean, he was the one that killed my baby sister after all.”
I don't react to his words, knowing that is the one thing he wants me to show.
Marco’s grin widens when I don’t respond, his dark eyes scanning me, looking for any sign of weakness. “Oh, the infamous Ashford leader.” He sneers. “You’ve always been the calm one haven’t you? The one who keeps everyone together. But I wonder… How long can you hold it in before you snap?”
I match his steps, the distance between us getting dangerously small.
“You can keep talking,” I say, keeping my voice low. “Or… we can get this over with. Your call.”
He tilts his head, obviously amused. “Oh don’t worry, I intend to talk Axel. You see, there’s something satisfying about breaking a man before putting him in the ground. And you? You’ve got so much to lose.”
