I loved that he knew me well enough and respected the fact that I wanted to know what was happening. I also knew he was right.
“Yeah, babe,” I leaned toward his body, pressing my forehead to his. “I trust you.”
“I know he’s your father,” his deep voice continued, “but darlin’, if he does anything to threaten you or Maddox I can’t promise—”
“I understand,” I cut him off. “He’s my father but you and Maddox are my family,” I added, stroking my fingers through his unruly hair.
“There’s a whole room of people out there who are your family, too,” he told me.
Tears pricked the back of my eyes as I nodded, biting my lip against the emotion burning through me.
“I would take you away from this shit but this is the safest place for you and Maddox. So you’ll stay here until this is over.”
“How long will that be?”
His answer was simple, his tone biting. “Soon.”
******
“I’m kinda bored,” Jill stage whispered.
“I’m suuuuper bored,” Connie groaned.
“You guys are so dramatic.” Scarlet rolled her eyes. “It’s been like three hours. We hang out here longer than that all the time.”
All the girls had been brought in, Jill included, for protection.
“At least we can normally go outside,” Ettie put in, flipping through one of the magazines Scarlet had brought.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, feeling responsible for their predicament.
“Oh, shit, Soph, we’re assholes. Sorry,” Connie rushed to apologize.
I shrugged. “It’s my fault. I brought all this down on you.” I looked off to the side.
“Uh, no,” Jill shook her head emphatically. “Your asshole parents did that.”
“Soph, seriously. If we played the blame game, I’d be front and center for the shit my past caused,” Scarlet spoke up. “I learned a long time ago to let that shit go. Axel would much rather have you in his life and deal with this than the alternative. So would all of us.”
“Thanks,” I offered a small smile, accepting her one-armed hug.
“Where’s the chocolate?” Kat demanded from one of the couches where she was currently sprawled, swollen feet resting. The guys had disappeared down the hall a while ago, but that didn’t stop Sal from coming out periodically to make sure she was resting.
“Here,” I smiled, handing her a piece from our stash. The magazines and chocolate should get us through at least another hour. After that, we would need to get creative.
At least the kids were entertained. Mason, Maddox, and Gracie were playing together sweetly as we looked on. Well, more like Mason and Maddox were watching Gracie toddle around, but nevertheless, they seemed content.
“Axel wants another,” I confided. It had come up a few times, even in the last few days. Once all this drama died down, I was willing to consider it.
“Cole’s getting another,” Scarlet said, her eyes bright.
“What!” Kat shrieked.
“Keep your voice down,” Scarlet laughed. “And for God’s sake, don’t get up. We don’t need the pregnancy police back out here.”
“How far along are you?” Jill asked.
“About ten weeks, still early,” Scar answered, looking over at Gracie with a serene smile.
“Congratulations,” I offered, so happy for her.
“Thanks,” she grinned.
I looked at the women around me, thrilled our extended family was about to get just a little bit bigger.
“Still wanting to stay?” I asked Jill quietly a little while later. The kids were all down for a nap in the back rooms along with Kat and Scarlet. Jill and I sat side by side on one of the couches, browsing through magazines we’d already read ten times.
“Yeah,” she shrugged. “I like it here. And you’re here,” she poked me playfully.
“I’m glad,” I smiled.
“I need to start working. You all have been far too generous already,” she sighed.
“Take your time,” I soothed. “There’s no rush.”
“We’ll see,” she answered evasively.
I was nearly nodding off myself on the couch when a commotion woke me up. I had to blink a few times when I saw Axel and Wes hauling Benjamin McKenzie across the room. I shook my head as though to clear it.
Nope, I wasn’t seeing things. That was definitely Benjamin, the son of a New York senator being hauled across the Knights’ club floor.
Axel met my wide gaze and shocked me by tilting his head toward the back rooms with a cocked brow. He was asking if I wanted to follow or turn a blind eye.
I got up and followed, ignoring his exasperated sigh.
“What the fuck, man!” Benjamin protested as Axel hauled him into a room toward the back of the club. I followed tentatively, feeling like I was invading a space I didn’t belong in. Cole and Sal both leaned against the far wall, their arms crossed. Mack, Hank and Ryker all stood to my left watching Benjamin with pure hostility. I’d never seen this part of the club. It was a simple room with no furniture save for one piece. One chair sat in the middle of the room. Despite its simplicity, its placement invited a certain sinister-like quality. I swallowed audibly and I wasn’t even the one who was going to have to sit in it.
“Sit the fuck down,” Axel ordered, shoving Benjamin into it.
“What the hell? Do you have any idea who my father is?” he sputtered, trying to straighten his white polo. His eyes darted around the room, growing wider by the moment. When they fell on me, he recoiled with shock, – his expression confused.
“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 never my plan.”
“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?”