Chapter Twenty-One
Axel
Axel strode into the clubhouse and nodded at the few brothers who were there. He had no idea if that would be the last time he could call them that. Once he met with Sinner, would he be walking out of there without his cut?
Stopping at Sinner's office door, he lifted his hand and knocked. There was no sense in drawing things out, after all.
“Come in,” Sinner called out and Axel opened the door.
“Hey, Prez,” he said as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
“Axel. Have a seat.”
He sat in one of the chairs across from him and waited.
“So. You and my daughter—”
“I didn't plan for this to happen, Prez. I fought it. For four damn years, I fought it. It wasn't until the night she was attacked that I realized I couldn't anymore. I knew it wasn't just some passing interest. But I still didn't act on it.”
Sinner held up his hand to stop him. “What's done is done. What I want to know is, what do you intend on doing? I don't want to have to kick your ass because you break my little girl's heart.”
“I don't have any intention of breaking her heart, Prez. I was fully prepared to hand you my cut if you told me I had to choose between her and the club.”
“Well, shit. Then I guess you're going to be making this official.”
It only took him a few seconds to know what Sinner was talking about.
“Yeah. I am. How soon can you get it?”
“I'll make the call today. Should have it by next weekend.”
“Thanks, Prez. I really appreciate that.”
“Sure thing. Just remember what I said. If you break her heart—”
"You'll kick my ass. And I'll deserve it.”
With that, he got up and left. It was going to be a long week.
It was Thursday evening and he'd just gotten to Elysium, when his phone alerted him to a text. Pulling it from his pocket, he opened up the message and grinned.
Sinner: Jacket’s here
Axel: Thanks, Prez. I'll be doing it tomorrow
“What's that grin for?” Indi asked.
“Hmm? Oh, just a little surprise for Sophia,” he replied.
“Ahh. Well, keep your secrets then. You're good for each other, you know? You make her smile and she keeps you from being too serious,” she told him.
“Thanks, Indi.”
He grabbed a drink and settled at a table to watch the show. Of course, his favorite acts included the woman he was falling for, but all of the performers were talented dancers.
He waited until Sophia's last performance before he made his way to the employee area.
“Hey, babygirl,” he said before she reached the dressing room door.
“Hey yourself, sexy man,” she replied with a grin.
He pulled her to him, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her deeply. “I am so damn glad I can do this now, whenever I want to.”
“So am I,” she responded.
“So, you got any plans tomorrow evening?” he asked casually.
“Not that I'm aware of. Why?”
“Feel like going to the clubhouse for a bit?”
“Sure. Is there something going on that I don't know about?” she inquired.
“Nah. Just figure we can relax, maybe play some pool.”
“Oh. Sure. That sounds good.”
“Great. I'll pick you up at seven then. Go change. I'll walk you out when you're ready to leave.”
He watched her go with a grin. That was easier than he'd expected.
As promised, he was at Sinner's door right at seven. He knew Sinner and Hallie were already at the clubhouse waiting. Before he could even knock, the door opened and Sophia stood there smiling at him.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said and leaned down to kiss her gently.
“Hey yourself, sexy man,” she responded.
“You look good enough to eat,” he said playfully.
“Maybe later,” she quipped.
Axel laughed. “Cheeky woman. Come on.”
He led her to his motorcycle, offered her a helmet, and soon they were off to the clubhouse.
Once there, he wrapped his arm around her as they entered.
“Hey, you two. How’s it going?” Liria called out from where she sat with her son in her arms. Fifteen month old Tempest was curled up on Dagger's lap sucking her thumb.
“Pretty good, little mama. How are you? I'm surprised to see you out and about already,” Sophia replied.
“I was going stir crazy. Dagger only agreed to me coming if I promised to not do anything but sit here and look pretty,” Liria told them.
“Aw. Well, you do it well,” Sophia said with a grin. “I'm sorry I didn't get to visit you in the hospital before you were discharged.”
“It's okay. I really wasn't there long. Anyway, let me properly introduce you to Ashton Maxwell Locke,” Liria responded.
“Perfect name for a perfect little boy.”
When Ashton started fussing, and Liria covered herself with a light blanket, Axel knew she was getting ready to feed him, and they moved away to give her a little privacy.
“You two look good together.”
They were startled by the voice and turned a bit to see Cherry, one of the sweetbutts, standing there.
“Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just…
look, I know I haven't always been the most pleasant, I've been a total bitch a few times, but I am trying to be better. Therapy has been helping a lot. And, I just… I mean it. You two look good together.” Then she grinned.
“Besides, this big lug needs someone to keep him on his toes, and something tells me you definitely do that.”
Sophia laughed. “You have no idea.”
“Ohhh. It sounds like there's a story there,” Cherry said, voice showing her intrigue.
“That's because there is,” Sophia replied before she filled Cherry in, much to his chagrin.
“Oh, damn girl. Remind me not to piss you off,” Cherry said with a laugh. “Anyway, I'll let you guys mingle,” she added and walked away.
“Brat,” Axel growled playfully in Sophia's ear. “Sharing about what was definitely not my finest moment.”
“You do realize that you won't be living that one down any time soon, right?” Sophia inquired.
“Yeah. I gathered. Hey, gimme a sec. I need to go talk to your dad about something,” he told her and kissed her temple.
He moved away from her and approached Sinner. “Hey, Prez.”
“Yo, brother. You're sure about this?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Good to know.” He handed the jacket over and Axel returned to where Sophia was talking with Ivy just in time to overhear their conversation.
“If you were serious about your offer, then I accept,” Sophia said to the other woman.
“Really? You're not bullshitting me?” Ivy asked.
“Really. No bullshit here,” Sophia replied.
“Hell yes!” Ivy cheered.
“What offer? What'd I miss?” Axel inquired.
“Ivy wants to make me a partner in her graphics design company, Butterfly Wings Designs. I took the last week to think about it and… this is what I want.”
“That's awesome, babygirl. I'm so proud of you,” Axel said and kissed her temple. The entire time, he kept the jacket hidden behind him. “There's something I need to ask you, babygirl.”
Sophia turned fully to face him. “Okay? What's up?”
“Sophia, I know we've only been dating for a few weeks, but we both know this connection has existed for years. Sophia Marissa Redding, with your father's blessing, I want to ask you. Will you wear my patch?”
He withdrew the jacket from behind him and then waited for her to reply.
“You want… oh. Wow. Hell yes I'll wear your patch!” she squealed, making everyone watching laugh.
“Damn, woman. Don't scare me like that,” he growled before he helped her with it. “That is a beautiful sight,” he added before he gently took her face in his hands and kissed her.
“And another one bites the dust,” Havoc joked.
“Hardy har har. You're time's coming, brother. You just watch,” Axel told him.
There were words of congratulations from those gathered there, and he felt ten feet tall every time he caught a glimpse of his girl wearing his patch.