She appeared conflicted, like she was also at war with herself and whatever was going on between them.
"And a change of clothes," he continued.
Deepa's gaze met his, her lips slightly parted, her breathing ragged.
"Okay," she nodded.
Chapter Eleven
Axel should have thought more thoroughly before inviting her back to Luke's house, considering that the man who bit her boyfriend was lounging around shirtless in the living room.
All he heard was a sharp intake of breath before she immediately launched herself at Reese, hands half transformed into claws.
Luke managed to hold her back just before her nails could scratch off Reese’s face, and Axel pulled her off his friend, wrapping his arms around her waist, while her feet kicked out in the air, a snarl of rage leaving her lips.
"You fucking bastard!" she screamed. "I'm going to kill you!"
"Hey," Axel snapped, trying to keep her arms down. "Calm down."
"You killed him," she hissed. "You fucking murdered him!"
Axel tightened his grip, pulling her back. "That's enough."
"You're all animals!" Deepa seethed, her face red with fury as Axel dragged her towards his room. "All of you!"
"We're lucky she's so tiny," Reese huffed, rubbing his neck.
Axel shook his head, shutting the door behind him, the girl still fighting in his arms.
"Calm down," he hissed, trying to keep her pinned.
"Fuck you!" she screamed, trying to kick him, her eyes wild.
"You need to relax," he said, his voice low.
"I'm going to rip their throats out," she hissed, her nails digging into his arm. "He murdered Parker!"
"He didn't murder him!" Axel snapped. "Infection Control did, all because of something that was beyond his control."
She immediately relaxed in his grip, the truth slowly sinking in.
"If you sign up for war," Axel hissed. "Don't be surprised when the enemy fights back."
She relaxed in his grasp, tears running down her cheeks.
"I hate you," she sobbed. "I hate all of you."
"I know," he murmured, trying to suppress a pang of hurt. "The feeling's mutual."
"I should have stayed with him," she murmured. "I should have fought for him."
Axel released his grip, biting his lower lip to suppress the tirade of mixed emotions at her words.
"Suck it up," he hissed. "You're not the only one who's done things they regret."
Luckily she lost the will to rip Reese's throat out, instead locking herself away in the bathroom and sobbing under the shower spray.
Axel felt like shit. He'd done plenty of messed up things in his life, but none of them felt this... bad.
