Chapter Thirty-Six
Axe wet his lips several times and swallowed as he paced back and forth in front of the maternity ward. Terri had indeed gone into labor and checked in, but she was still in the early stages, and Ryker was walking her around the floor.
He fingered the velvet ring box in his pocket and kept his sunglasses on, even though it was hard to see out into the parking area. What would he say to Leanna?
His heart was full to bursting, but she was the one who’d broken their engagement. Now that she’d gotten Carmelita back and her family was safe, she had everything she’d always wanted.
He stepped toward the door to clear his head. There were too many happy and expectant couples inside, smiling sweetly at each other while waiting to dilate and go into active labor.
The glass door opened outward with a whoosh, and he lurched forward, smashing into a Latina tornado—category 10.
“Axe! Where’s Terri?” Leanna waved her hands like she was about to take off.
“She’s walking the hallways inside,” he mumbled, and tried to skirt around her.
Now that she made her appearance, he wasn’t sure she cared to speak to him. He was only a tool for her to find her friend.
He felt a sharp jerk on his elbow, and she whirled him around. His sunglasses were ripped off his face.
“How are you doing?” She looked him straight in the eyes. “I’m so sorry about your father. I know you loved him.”
“I’m sorry, too, but he brought it on himself.”
“No, you’re only saying that to make me feel better.” Leanna jutted her lower lip at him. “You think I killed him.”
“And you think he wasn’t trying to kill you?” Axe grabbed hold of Leanna’s shoulders and steered her away from the doorway where people were exiting and entering.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “I can’t get over seeing you try to put his head back together. If I shot him, I’m truly sorry.”
“You’re not that good of a shot,” Axe said. “Honestly, I only heard one shot.”
“But we both fired our guns,” Leanna said.
“And we’re lucky we didn’t shoot ourselves in the feet. Don’t you get it? He killed himself, and we panicked. We couldn’t have gotten the shot off so fast. Think of the angle.”
“Are you saying you don’t blame me?” Leanna’s lips trembled.
Axe wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug and lowered his face to hers. “I wouldn’t blame you even if you shot him square in the forehead. He came for you to take revenge on your dad. It’s more painful to lose someone you love than to lose your own life.”
She returned his hug, grabbing him around the waist. Her eyes closed, and she shivered all over, breathing hard. “Why does love and pain go together so much?”
“Because the more we love, the more painful it is to lose it.” Axe inhaled her sultry scent and let the feel of her warm body infuse his spirit.
“Love has no mercy. It’s a sweet and deadly trap,” Leanna said. “I was asked to write that on a cake recently.”
“Morbid.” He ran his fingers through her hair and tucked loose strands behind her ear. “Is that why you returned the ring?”
“No. I figured the reason for the ring was dead. We got engaged to keep our dads from killing each other.”
“And we haven’t any other feelings other than fear?” He cupped her face, and she leaned into his hand, closing her eyes.
She bit her lip. “I’m fearless.”
“Prove it.” He tipped her chin up and challenged her. “Step into that sweet and deadly trap. I dare you.”
Her eyes popped open, and he was nailed by her fierce glare. “I already have. Have you?”
“You, goddess, are merciless.” He pinched her lush lower lip and slanted in to confess his love.
