Page 48 of Axe
My head moved to look over at Allison who was obviously making herself busy with Neiryn. I couldn’t tell if she had noticed what had just happened, but if she did and it bothered her, she was playing it off well. Jessica’s eyes followed the direction I was looking in and I heard her let out a low ‘oooooh’ before a wide smile spread across her face. She patted my shoulder and walked over to Ellie.
With a nod to Diesel and one last glance at Allison, I headed off for Cal’s office. Damn. I had no idea how much time had passed, but I knew it was well beyond seven minutes.
“The fuck is goin’ on?” Cal barked as I planted my ass on the chair on the opposite side of the desk from him. My legs spread wide and I relaxed back into the chair, trying my best to seem as casual as possible. I had a feeling I wasn’t pulling that shit off.
“First, how’s Ethel?” I asked because I was still in the dark about that shit. I didn’t even bother to ask what happened because I knew he’d tell me.
“Oh, fuck, that’s right,” he said as he dug through one of the top drawers on his desk.
A second later, he tossed a burner phone at me, unpackaged and I assumed ready to go. I didn’t bother checking as I shoved it into my pocket and waited for the man to fill me in.
“She was comin’ back from the city and her car went off the road. I talked to the cops and asked if there was another vehicle involved. They said there wasn’t anyone at the scene other than the woman that had called the police. The woman didn’t know what happened, just came upon the scene while drivin’ by and stopped. The cops said Ethel’s car was too mangled to tell anythin’.
“She was in a car accident?” It wasn’t really a question, my brain was just trying to put everything together. “So is she alright?”
“No,” Cal said with a sad sigh. “She’s in a coma and her injuries are pretty bad. She hit her head and had some swellin’ in her brain. She was unresponsive when the paramedics got to her. Reagan is a mess, won’t leave Ethel’s side.”
“Damn,” I said, sadness pinching my heart. Ethel was crazy, that was for sure, but you couldn’t help but have a special place for her in your heart.
“Now, why you all riled up and needin’ to talk to me? And why I get the feelin’ like I ain’t gonna like what you’re about to say, boy?”
Because you’re not. You’re going to lose your shit.
His brows were pinched together and his eyes were dark as he pinned me with his stare. I subconsciously rub two fingers back and forth on my bottom lip as my body leaned forward.
“Fuck, Cal,” I said blowing out a harsh breath. The words I needed to say refused to release themselves from my mouth. I cleared my throat and tried again. “All that shit she said she’s been through, it was Savage who’d done it. She’s his wife.”
The words were out there now, the scary as hell truth was lingering in the still air, and there was no way I could have taken them back. Before I could continue, he bolted out of his seat and his face turned bright red with fury.
“The fuck, Axe! Why you just now comin’ to me with this? You tie her ass up downstairs?” His voice was filled with hate and anger.
He reached down to grab his knife as he moved around the desk and headed for the door. The thought of what he could do to her if he was pushed far enough had the hairs on the back of my neck standing tall. I jerked up and grabbed his arm without even thinking.
“Sit, old man, before you have a heart attack. Let me finish.” No one but me dared to talk to him like that. His eyes narrowed at me for a long moment before he went back around and sat back down.
“She’s runnin’ from him. She’s trying to keep the kid safe. Everything she told me was true, and there was…some other things she told me right before I got here. He sells girls, Cal. He breaks them down so they are submissive before he sells them. Cal…” I couldn’t even speak anymore.
“How’d you find out she was his wife?” He asked, his tone a little more calm, though his face still showed his rage.
“I…”
How could I tell him without letting him know too much? Like the fact that I had kissed her last night. Or that I was in her bed this morning. That I had damn feelings for her and I would protect her and Lil man with my life.
Fuck it!
I saw no way around it, so I just dove in, consequences be damned.
“This morning,” I paused and ran my hand through my hair, “I saw the outline of something through her shirt, I lifted it up and I saw The Devil’s Kings insignia tattooed on the upper half of her back. He branded her without her permission.”
Though I didn’t know that last part for a fact, I was pretty damn sure I was right.
I hadn’t said that I was in bed with her, but by the slight twitch of his eye, it was clear he’d figured that part out. My head dropped down as I waited for the backlash. I had put the club in danger, all because I had fucking feelings for her and the kid.
“Bring her in here,” he said and his tone was oddly calm.
I raised my head to look at him and when I met his eyes, I could tell he was going to see this out with a level head.
I rushed to the kitchen. Allison’s head snapped in my direction the moment I stepped into the room. I could see the uncertainty in her eyes and I wanted nothing more than to calm her and wrap her in my arms. The moment I was close enough, I pulled her into my body and held her tightly.
“He wants to see you,” I said as I pulled my head back to look down at her and tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear. “Neiryn is safe here with Ellie, she knows what to do, so don’t worry.”
She hesitated for a moment as she looked over to Neiryn.
“Mommy will be right back, buddy,” she cooed then placed a light kiss on his head.
I grabbed her hand, not giving a shit that everyone could see, and led her to the office.
“Just be truthful. Don’t hide anything. Okay?” I said as I squeezed her hand.
Before I opened the door, I bent down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. I hoped like hell it helped to ease her nerves.
