20. Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Axel
Waking up to my brothers arguing over Presley really pissed me off. I’ve been texting her for hours but she’s not answering me which is just further makingme want to just find her myself. I’m not sure what the hell happened tonight, but I just want–no need–to know that she is okay and safe.
I don’t get any sleep as she continues to ignore me. I even decided to go to her house and sneak into her bedroom window, but her bed was cold and empty. The only other place she could be is with that piece of shit boyfriend of hers.
Unfortunately, he lives in a gated community with security guards and cameras everywhere, so there was no chance of me getting in there without being caught. So I went back home and tried to go back to sleep. Her mother’s funeral is in the morning and we are all attending, even Caspian. Harley didn’t leave him much of a choice. We are to be there to show her support and pay our respects. I’m really fucking worried about her. I don’t like the unknown and my brothers are idiots for allowing her to leave. I would’ve chased her to the ends of the earth, but these jokers get inside their heads. They don’t think of her and how she feels or what she wants. Selfish pricks. Rolling over in my bed, I yawn as my eyes finally get heavy.
Closing them, I drift off to sleep, praying my girl is okay, and hopefully I’ll get answers from her later this morning.
Later that morning, we pulled up in separate cars to the cemetery where Presley's mom is going to be buried. All the founding families get buried in this place. The plots were bought many years ago and it creeps me out knowing me and my brothers already have a spot here. Like Jesus.
Getting out of the car, I haven’t said two words to Casp, just listened to him bitch about being here. We walk together through the grass and over the hill where a canopy is covering a bunch of lined up wooden chairs. Long black hair catches my eyes as she sits in between two men I recognize. Her piece of shit stepfather Stan and Jacob Lee.
Walking up to the crowd, we stand on the opposite side of the casket and my eyes land on hers, but she doesn't pick her head up from the ground until Jacob whispers something into her ear.
Finally, her eyes find mine and widen,I frown, seeing the mask is firmly in place. All that makeup piled on her gorgeous face makes me irate as the sun shines against her ivory skin. There’s a bruise on her forehead and what seems to be a slice mark. My hands tighten into fists as I continue to stare at her, but she shakes her head ever so slightly before shecasts her eyes back down when Jacob and Stan both squeeze her knee.
I can’t fucking watch this. The longer I stand here knowing she’s in pain, knowing they both have hurt her and I can’t do dick about it, makes me want to scream. How long did she scream for? No one was there to save her. I failed. I told her I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, but here I am, letting it happen. I need to take both of them out. Braxton growls next to me as Jacob smirks at him. I don’t think this fool understands what any of us are capable of, but rest assured, he’s about to fuck around and find out.
“Remember who you are and who is here watching.” Harley warns in a whisper and I take a deep breath, waiting for the Priest to be done with his spiel so I can leave. I can’t stand here and witness this shit. It hurts too fucking much and I’m going to snap. Elbowing Caspian, he looks over at me with furrowed brows. I lean against him and whisper, “I’ll be in the truck. I can’t do this.” I say and he nods as I turn, heading the same way I came from.
Why didn’t she call me to come get her? Why? I’d never do anything to hurt her. I just want to be back in my bed with her like we were not too long ago, under the blankets, wrapped around each other, leaving the world behind.
Getting in the car, I slam the door shut. My knee shakes, my anxiety rising the more I think about what could’ve happened to her that caused the bruise and cut. I need to go to the Dungeon and relieve some stress. I know tonight we are meeting up with a few associates before Caspian races, maybe then I can find my next victim. Only one can hope.
Why is it my hot headed brother has to start a fucking fight with Dario Roselli? He’s known as the top fighter on the east coast and here’s Braxton trying to one up him.
“Is that all you got?” Dario laughs, dodging everyone one of Brax’s punches, making him madder and madder with each hit he misses. Dario doesn’t hold the title for nothing as he lands a jab to Brax’s nose, causing blood to spray as his head whips to the side. Looking next to me, Caspian is going head to head with Spade and I just roll my eyes. Tonight we were supposed to hand them a contract and fucking race, not start a whole fucking brawl over it. Jesus Christ.
“That’s not what we agreed on Caspian and you know it!” Spade yells as Casp gets in his face.
“I told you, as long as The Aces aren’t involved, you can have all the product you want. It’s all laid out in the contract. Just read it over and let me know.” He states, but Spade shakes his head.
“That’s not how we do business. We need to sit down with Harley and make sure everyone is on the same page. The Aces cannot find out. If they do, it’s all of our asses in a burlap sack. You feel me?” He retorts and Caspian nods.
“I’ll sign the papers if you race me for the pinks to your truck.” Spade smirks as Caspian’s eyes go wide. I turn to look back at Brax, still going at it with Dario as a blond man walks up on them, pushing Dario away, whispering something to him.
“Like I said, beat me in the race and you get to keep your car and we solidify the deal.” Spade says, but Caspian gets right in his face. I have whiplash watching both of my brothers. The blond turns to Brax with a look of malice and murder seeping through his features as my brother throws his hands up in surrender, backing away. Damn, I wouldn't want to get on his bad side with a look like that. But he intrigues me. He hides so many layers of himself. He’s either putting on a show for everyone to see or he truly is bat shit crazy. There is no in between.
Hearing Spade call Caspian a pussy takes me out of my thoughts and turning back to them, only catching the tail end of the conversation.
“You know what’s at stake?” Caspian spits as Spade smirks.
“Bet.” Is all he says walking away and towards his friends, but the blond guy and Caspian are in a stare off until he grabs me, pulling me away from the crowd towards his car.
“I’m not letting that cartel punk beat me in a race.” My brother spits and I laugh, shaking my head.
“So what’s the plan?” I ask and he smiles, flicking his lip ring.
“Nothing, don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine. Go home with Braxton. I’ll see you later.” He orders as Brax walks over to us, wiping the blood from his nose on his shirt.
“Damn, that guy has a mean punch. Jesus.” Brax says laughing, and Caspian pats him on the back.
“I told you not to fuck with him, but you don’t seem to ever listen to me, twin.” He grins, walking away from us both.
“You ready to get out of here?” Braxton asks, and I nod.
We leave the races and all I want to do is go see Presley. I don’t know where she is or what she is doing, but I’m starting to lose my fucking patience. I just need to feel that spark, to feel alive again. It’s funny how all these years I’ve lost my humanity and this girl comes out of nowhere and worms her way into my soul making me feel everything. Most of all, she makes me feel alive. I want to possess her every waking moment until the day I fucking die.
The ride home was quick since once again, I was so deep in thought. Getting in the house, I go up to my room and strip out of my clothes, down to my boxers and lay in bed. Reaching underneath my mattress, I grab my little kit and open it, pulling out the scalpel and bandages.
Sitting up in bed, I pull down my boxers and press the blade into my hip, dragging it slowly across the bone. Taking a deep breath, I repeat the slices three times for the years I’ve spent muted. That night stole my voice and I’m afraid I won’t ever get it back, not fully. Even when I spoke to Presley. That doesn’t count. That girl could ask me to do anything for her and I would, no matter the cost, but everyone else needs to earn my trust and not only that, I need to feel safe again. I need to know that if something were to happen to me, my other brothers would have my back, no matter what. Presley though, her entire being speaks to me, making me feel more safe than I’ve ever felt my entire life, even more so than I do with Caspian, and that says a lot.
Wiping the blood off the blade and my skin, I place cream on the bandage and stick it to my hip, pulling my boxers back up. Laying down, I shut my eyes, wishing she would just fucking text me already. I can’t handle another woman vanishing without a trace and I’m not going to let my Angel baby do that either. She’s mine and it’s time I fucking show her.