Chapter 10
Harlow
“Come on, Uncle Axel. We're going to miss getting all the good candy!” Rosie yells at the closed door.
“I’m not going out in this,” Axel grumbles. “I’ll buy you all the candy in the store, but I am not wearing this out for everyone to see.”
“But you promised to come out with me this year.” I look down to see Rosie’s lip wobbling. There's no way I'm letting this big baboon make my baby girl cry.
“Get your big butt out here and suck it up! Are you really gonna hurt your sweet, little niece’s feelings because you care too much about what other people think?” I shout, glaring at the door, hands fisted, ready to pound on the door.
“Can't I just go out in normal clothing?” he growls out.
“No! It's Halloween and we are going as a themed group. Everyone is just waiting on you. It’s dark out anyways. No one’s gonna see.”
The door opens, and Axel steps out, his face bright red with anger and embarrassment. I bite my lip, holding back a giggle. He narrows his eyes at me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Don't you dare,” he mutters.
“But you look so cute,” I coo playfully, enjoying this way too much.
“Umm. Mama, should he look like that?” Rosie asks, giving him a funny look.
“Yes, baby girl. We're going as the cast of the Wizard of Oz. I’m Dorothy, you’re Toto, Daddy is the Tin Man, Uncle Dean is the Scarecrow, and Uncle Neo is Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.”
“Oh, you know this is all BS. There's still the damn lion. No one’s going as him. I’d rather dress up as that than this.” He points to himself, referring to this costume. “Why can’t I be the lion?”
“Because I said so.” I smile sweetly, batting my lashes at him. “Come on, you big baby, let's go.”
Axel looks at Rosie as she holds up her hand to him. He looks at her hand, then back to her, letting out a sigh of defeat, and closing his big hand around her small one. I smile, knowing that I won, but also seeing any of the guys with Rosie does funny shit to this cold killer's heart.
These guys are slowly turning me back into the girl I once knew, but not completely. I’ll never be weak again. Queenie will always be a part of me. That will never change.
“What the hell are you supposed to be?” Dean asks with a laugh.
“First off, fuck you,” Axel says.
“Bad word,” Rosie scolds her uncle. Axel points to his wallet on the table, and she lights up, rushing over to help herself. She's gonna end up with more money than the guys if they keep using potty words at this rate.
“And second of all, didn’t you watch the movie?”
“Yeah, but there wasn't any mutant-looking creatures in there,” Cass says, eyeing up his brother.
“Guys,” I giggle, “he's a flying monkey.”
They all just look at him for a moment before Neo bursts out laughing. “Fuck! My Queen, you are amazing.” He switches his wand from one hand to the other so he can high five me.
I slap my hand to his, then lift the skirt of my dress, giving him a bow. “Thank you.”
“Whatever. Let’s just go,” Axel huffs.
“Wait, I wanna get a good look at everyone.” I walk over to Dean, who looks cute in his scarecrow costume. “I’m surprised you didn't put up a fight with this one.”
He gives me a half smile. “If it makes you and my niece happy, then who am I to argue?” Ugh, the way he's looking at me has my belly fluttering and well, other things too, but now is not the time.I do plan on taking his sexy ass for another ride in the near future, though.
“Well, thank you for doing this for us.” I lean up onto my tippy-toes, and give him a kiss on the tip of his nose before brushing my lips across his. His eyes are closed when I pull back, and I see his body shiver from my touch.
“And you, Mr. Tin Man, don't you look all fancy.” Cass’s costume looks really well made.
“I had it specially made. All the ones I found online were cheap-looking, and none came in my size. I would have split it in two just by bending over,” he chuckles. “Only the best for my girls.”