Page 27 of Embraced

He’s hard to talk to but I keep trying anyway.

“Yes. Anna had dreams and goals before Killian changed her. She was ambitious as hell, Aksel, and he changed that. She gave up but I know Anna and she will never forgive herself. She’s embarrassed and looking down on herself.”

He stares at me, contemplating my words. “What do you know?”

“I know she didn’t finish getting her degree which is why she was bartending before you came along. Her dream was to be an editor and work in publishing.”

He just keeps staring at me and it’s unnerving.

“Why would you come to me?”

I swallow the insults that immediately come to mind and instead tell him the truth. “You’re the leader of this team and if she goes back to school she’s going to need your help. I know you have resources that I don’t have, that the others don’t have. It’s become clear that you care about her, so help me make her dreams come true.”

Aksel nods and starts to close his door. “I’ll handle it.”

My hand shoots out to stop the door before I even think about it. My vampire strength stops any movement immediately.

“You’re not doing it without me.”

He lets go of the door and glares at my hand. Since he’s not trying to shut me out anymore I remove it.

“Why would I need you? You’ve told me the problem, I will solve it.” He sounds arrogant but I don’t think he even realizes how much.

This is just the way he is.

“You’re as difficult to deal with as the others say.”

Aksel rolls his eyes.

“I know what her dream was before this all started. You need my insight and I want to do this for her. Let’s work together.”

It burns my tongue to propose working together after the way he’s treated me but I owe Anna the world and for some unknown reason, she likes him.

We stand there in silence and stare at each other.

“Come to the kitchen!” Anna’s voice shouts from downstairs.

Aksel tenses but I’m gone before I see his full reaction. I use my speed to rush down the stairs and make sure Anna is okay.

She’s standing in the kitchen with her arms crossed as she watches me enter.

“Is everything okay?” I ask as I look around the room for any issues.

She smiles at me and then the others behind me as they join us. “Yes, sorry if I scared you but I had a great idea. We are going to have a group dinner tonight and spend some time together.”

There’s awkward tension before Griffyn rubs his hands together and grins. “Sounds great, Vixen. Let’s just send Aksel out to get something.”

I crack a smile and fight laughing. Felix doesn’t stop himself from snickering.

“Hilarious.” Aksel shakes his head. “I need to keep working.”

“No, you need a break. I was thinking I would cook but we all hang out while I do,” Anna suggests.

“I’ll help you,” I offer immediately.

I will absolutely take this opportunity to spend time with her, even if the rest of them are here.

“I can help too,” Felix offers.

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