Page 64 of No Mistakes
I twist around in my seat, grinning at her, already knowing what she is going to say. “Yes, Eva?”
Her eyes are wide, cheeks flushed. “I fucked Axel.”
The words fall out like she’s just confessed to murder, her hands flying up to cover her face.
I burst out laughing. Not because she did it. We all knew it was going to happen. It was only a matter of time, judging by the way they both looked at each other. No, I’m laughing at how dramatic she is about it, like it’s some earth-shattering, life-altering event. I glance outside, spotting Flynn slap money into Carter’s hand, who is currently grinning from ear to ear. No doubt knowing these lot, they had a bet on how long it would take.
Eva groans, tossing her head back against the seat like she’s trying to disappear into the upholstery.
I reach back, placing a hand on her leg, trying to hide my grin. “So… was it good?”
Her head snaps towards me, eyes wide with disbelief. “I just told you I fucked the man wholiedto me andbrokemy heart, and yourfirstquestion is-‘was it good?’”
I lift a shoulder, unapologetic. “It’s a valid question.”
She throws her hands in the air. “God, you’re impossible sometimes.”
She stares at me, exhaling slowly, her tone softer. “Apart from thehumiliatingwalk of shame I just did?” Her gaze flicks out the window, almost like she’s replaying it.
“It was goddamn incredible,” she says, her words laced with defeat and desire. I squeeze her leg gently, then turn back to face the front. But just as I’m buckling in, I remember one crucial thing Gunnar said.
“Oh, by the way,” I say casually, trying to make it sound like no big deal. “You’re riding with Axel today.”
Silence follows, and for a moment, I wonder if she’s breathing. That is, until I hear a quiet, murderous exhale behind me.
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope,” I say, leaning my head back, “Your presence has been requested.”
She groans like I just sentenced her to death by embarrassment. “God hates me.”
I bite back a smile, “Or maybe he’s just really invested in your sex life.”
I don’t get a chance to do anything else before the motel door swings open. Axel and Ant step out, both of them dressed and looking far too composed for men who have just turned both of our worlds upside down.
Eva spots Axel instantly, her entire body going stiff. Axel spots her in the back of the car, and there’s a flicker, something raw that passes between them, like a lit match hovering over gasoline.
Ant glances at the car, then at me, giving a subtle nod. It’s small, barely a movement, but it lands heavier than it should. He spoke to me last night and this morning, but it was just me there. I can’t help but wonder if that was a one-time thing… or if he might actually speak in front of everyone else, and not just in private.
Eva opens the back door, climbing out with way too much energy for someone who just declared she had incredible sex and then confessed it like a sin.
Axel watches her closely, head tilted slightly like he’s trying to figure out if she’s about to slap him or kiss him again as they stop just outside the car doors.
Eva squares her shoulders and brushes past him like he’s air, her voice clipped as she mutters, “I’m picking the music.”
Axel doesn’t respond, just watches her climb into the passenger seat of his car like she belongs there. His jaw ticks as he tilts his head side to side. “Four hours to go,” he says to no one in particular, giving his brothers a curt nod before pulling the door open and sliding in after her.
It doesn’t take long for everyone to follow suit, and ten minutes later, we were on the road, starting our final stretch to Chicago.
CHAPTER 27
ANT
We passedthe signs for Chicago about forty minutes ago.
Now we drive through the city to our final destination before we return to who we are.
It’s strange how a city can feel like both a birthplace and a grave. Chicago raised us. Taught us how to survive, how to fight, how to bleed without flinching. But it also broke us. And now, we’re driving straight through the belly of it.
