“Sophie? What the hell are you doing here? Did these fucks kidnap you, too?”
Axel smacked the back of his head with a resounding whack that sent his head snapping forward. “She’s my wife.”
“Wife?” Benjamin looked thoroughly confused, rubbing at the back of his head.
“Yeah, so I’d say those plans of yours are pretty much to shit now,” Axel muttered, walking slow circles around Benjamin’s chair. He was the epitome of menace as his slow, calculated steps continued.
He was in his element and I suddenly understood why he’d been so upset when he’d had to let the guys handle things before. He exuded pure menace with a cool confidence I was thoroughly impressed by. I’d always known Axel could handle himself, but seeing him like this, I understood it on a different level.
Ben’s gaze turned to me. “Your father is going to be so pissed,” he shook his head. “This was nevermyplan.”
“I figured, given how we got you here,” Axel returned.
“Yeah, about that,” Benjamin stammered, his eyes wide as they shot around the room.
“What? You don’t want dear old Dad to know you have a thing for hookers?” Sal snorted. “That you were looking to score enough blow to turn the state white?”
Despite myself, I nearly laughed. This was all just too freaking ironic.
“You should really think about diversifying. You’re too fucking predictable,” Mack put in, cracking his knuckles. “Coming all the way to Las Vegas for some pussy and blow.” He shook his head in mock admonishment. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m so glad our girl, Tracy, was hot enough to reel you in, but seriously, dude, don’t they have decent pussy in New York?”
I took it all in, realizing how much effort they’d put in to get Benjamin here. Even using one of the club chicks as part of the ruse. I was seriously impressed. I wondered what the plan from here was.
“What do you want?” Benjamin glared.
“I want you to deliver the message that Sophie’s already spoken for,” Axel began, stopping his slow circle to stand in front of the chair. “I want you to make it fucking clear that any future marriage is off the table. And,” he continued, pulling Benjamin’s head back so he was forced to glare up into Axel’s face, “I want all the fucking knowledge you have on her father. Anything less and all your conversations with Tracy and all the other shit we dug up on you gets spread far and wide,” he threatened, before letting go of his hair with such force that his head snapped forced. Axel stepped back with his arms crossed over his broad chest and waited.
“You think I know shit about her father?” Benjamin protested.
“I know you do,” Axel bit out.
“If you know so much, then what do you even need me for?” he demanded.
“Proof,” Axel shrugged.
Benjamin hesitated, sweat beading along his brow as he licked his lips nervously and shook his head. “I don’t know anything.”.
“Babe,” Axel spoke to me, his eyes moving to find mine. I knew what he was saying without needing the words. This was the part where things could get ugly. Again, he gave me the choice.
I nodded in understanding, slipping from the room.
I knew Axel operated outside of the confines of the law and he did that a lot. I also knew he was the best husband and father I could have ever dreamed of. That was what mattered to me.
******
“It’s not enough, man,” I heard Cole mutter as I was getting Maddox up from his nap a little while later. They probably thought I was still in the main room with the girls, far from earshot. “It’s a lot more than we had, but not enough.”
“I know,” I heard Axel growl with frustration.
“What’s next?” Mack asked.
“Holy shit,” I heard Sal’s intake of breath and my body went rigid at his tone. “You’re not going to fucking believe who I see on the video feed standing out front.”
Chapter 19
My mother stood in the middle of the main room in her crisp designer outfit looking like a fish out of water. Not a hair was out of place, not a wrinkle to be found, yet her eyes gave away her frazzled state.
“Sophie,” her voice rang out through the large room as I emerged, holding Maddox in my arms.
