I tilt my head. “Who’s asking? And what’s the goal here?”
He hesitates, calculating. “Does the name Lina mean anything to you?”
I keep my face blank, but inside? Every nerve goes hot.Fuck.
“Who’s asking?” I repeat myself.
The blonde sighs. Runs a hand through shaggy hair. He looks more runway model than criminal, but I know better than to make rash judgements.
“Axel,” the brunette cuts in, pointing to himself. “And Nik.” He nods toward the blonde who gives him a dirty look.
My heart stutters. Axel and Nik.HerAxel and Nik?
I take a step closer. Axel’s rougher than Johnny, but the family resemblance is clear now that I’m looking. They have the same build, same edge. Nik’s harder to read, more ice than fire, but I can feel the steel in him.
“Holy shit,” I exhale. “I know who you are.”
“That makes one of us.”
“She talks about you both,” I say, grin tugging at my mouth. I can’t help it. It feels good to finally see the faces behind the names.
Axel’s face lights up, hope like a fucking punch to the chest.
“I’m Sean.” I offer a hand. They both take it with firm grips.
“We need to see her,” Nik says, voice steady but urgent.
“No shit.” I keep my tone casual.
They trade a look. Probably surprised I’m not posturing for Johnny, but I’m not here to play gatekeeper.
I tuck my hands in my hoodie pocket. “Look, I don’t own her. Neither does Johnny, though he sure as hell tries. But if you two try to walk in right now? You won’t make it ten steps. He’ll blow up fast.”
Axel steps forward, tension vibrating through him. “We’re not here to take her. We just want to see her. To know she’s okay.”
I believe him. Every line of his body is restraint. Not aggression, just pure need.
Nik’s voice comes low. “Can you help us?”
I meet his eyes. They’re sharp, relentless… show no bullshit. I hold his stare a moment, then nod. “Yeah. I’ll help. But not today.”
Axel stiffens. “Why not?”
I glance toward the building. “Johnny’s already been out a bit. You want this to go clean? You wait. Come back when he’s occupied. I’ll text you a window.”
Nik narrows his gaze. “Why are you helping us?”
I smile slowly. “Because I’m not in the business of caging her. If she wants to see you? Great. If not?” I shrug. “I’ll throw you both out on your asses. Yeah?”
Axel’s throat works. “Yeah.”
I pull out my phone and hand it to Nik. “Put your number in, and I’ll text you when it’s clear. Be ready.”
Nik’s fingers fly across the screen. “We will be. You text us,we’ll come.”
I grin. “That’s what I figured.”
They slip back toward the SUV as quiet as they came.
