Page 10 of Axel

“No,” Gemma chokes, trying so hard not to cry. She pushes against me, though her protests are half-hearted at best. “I’m no good,” she tries again, her voice a little stronger this time.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper again, my hands spreading over her back and stroking gently. She doesn’t want me to leave. She wants me to show her she’s worth fighting for. “I’m not letting go.”

“You d-don’t understand,” Gemma continues. “My family… they’re not good people.”

She tries pushing me away again, and I gently loop my fingers around her right wrist, bringing her hand to my lips to kiss her palm. Then, I place her hand over my heart and cover it with mine, letting her feel my steady heartbeat.

“Mine aren’t either. Not my biological family, anyway.”

“I’ve… I’ve done things. Things I’m not proud of.” Gemma attempts to twist away as if looking at me is too much.

It hurts seeing her in so much anguish, but I’ll stay here all damn night long, fighting her demons with her if that’s what it takes. “Me too.”

“I’m trailer trash, don’t you get that?” she yells, her voice becoming scratchy. “And now I’m not even that. I’m homeless.”

Gemma makes one last weak attempt to slip out of my arms, but I hold her steady, cupping the back of her neck and tucking her head under my chin. Like last time, I have an overwhelming sense of completeness. She fits perfectly right here. This is where my princess belongs.

“I’ve got you,” I repeat softly. This time, my bruised and broken princess surrenders to my care, collapsing in my arms and letting me support her weight. “I’m never letting go.”

Our hearts break and mend together as I cradle Gemma in my arms. She sobs silently, her curvy body shaking with the effort of holding everything in.

“Are you okay to ride with me?” I ask after a few moments.

Gemma unburies herself from my chest and peers up at me, her green eyes puffy and rimmed in red from her tears.

I reluctantly let her take a step away but keep her hand secured in mine. Can’t take any risks with her running off again. “I’m taking you back to my place,” I tell her. “Where you’ll be safe. We can figure out what comes next, but first, you need a hot shower and a good night’s sleep.”

“But…”

“Do you trust me, princess?”

Her brow furrows, and she gives me an odd look. “You’re still calling me princess? After all of this?”

Jesus, this woman. She has no idea how precious she is.

“Gemma,” I murmur, cupping her chin and tilting her face toward mine. “This doesn’t define you. Your family doesn’t have to be your identity. You get to decide to be whoever you want to be.” She doesn’t quite believe me yet, but she wants to. That’s a start. “You’re my princess because you looked like Sleeping Beauty when I first saw you in the graveyard with your eyes closed and your hands clutching a bouquet of wildflowers. Every moment since then has only shown me more of your sweetness and light.”

My girl smiles, and her eyes well up with tears, but I don’t think she’s sad. Gemma hasn’t had much love in her life, but that shit ends here. I vow to remind her every day how valued and worthy she is.

“So, do you trust me?” I ask her once again.

Gemma nods, and I pull her toward me, wrapping my arm around her waist and tucking her into my side. I lean over and kiss her temple before leading her to my bike, parked beyond the tree line. I camped out there while waiting for my brothers to get here, keeping an eye on Gemma, and ensuring nothing happened to her before I could get her out.

I throw my leg over my bike and direct Gemma to climb on behind me. She’s wearing ripped black skinny jeans tonight and a black lacy top that flows around her generous curves, making her look like a breathtaking gothic angel. I like Gemma in everything she wears, but I’m thankful she’s wearing jeans for this bike ride. I’ll need to get her some proper riding gear soon.

That thought brings a smile to my face despite the heart-wrenching last few minutes. I like the idea of Gemma being around long enough to need riding gear.

She scoots up behind me, her inner thighs pressing against the outsides of mine. I grit my teeth, trying to get my damn libido under control. Tonight isn’t about that. I shouldn’t be thinking about our bodies tangled up in other ways, but it’s hard not to when Gemma’s curves are right here, pressed against my back. When she wraps her arms around my torso, my dick twitches.

Not happening tonight,I silently tell the fucker. Gemma needs to be taken care of in other ways first. Then, hopefully, when she trusts me enough, we can share everything.

“Hold on tight, princess,” I call over my shoulder. She squeezes my abs and clenches her thighs together, and fuck me, I’m going to have to give my hardening cock another talking to when I get Gemma tucked into bed.

I take off into the night, rescuing my princess from the evil villains and bringing her back to my castle. And by castle, I mean my apartment behind the clubhouse. We have rooms for those who need a temporary place to stay, but there is a row of legit three-bedroom apartments in the back lot.

It’s not long before we’re pulling into the clubhouse parking lot. I pull my bike around back, holding my hand out to help Gemma dismount before doing the same.

“How was your first ride?” I ask. Gemma is shaking slightly, and I worry it was too much.

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