Chapter 26
Sean
The elevator hums as it crawls toward the lobby. I’m on a snack run. For our woman. Damn. That still sounds weird in my head. Our woman.
I never thought I’d share. No chance in hell. But for Aro? It’s a no-brainer. Any piece she gives me? I’ll take it, and be grateful.
She tore through every bag of sour candy in the place, and after the way Johnny left her wrecked in bed last night? Yeah, she’s earned more. Hell, I’d buy out the whole damn candy aisle if it kept that smile on her face.
Last night was... something else. Watching’s always been my thing. But watching Aro? That’s life-changing. I could watch her forever.
Johnny left half an hour ago. He’s out handling business. I didn’t ask what kind, because I don’t need that shit on my conscience.
The elevator dings, and I step out and head toward the street. There’s a high-end grocery store two blocks down. It’s the kind of place Johnny’s type likes to pretend they’re normal in.
I walk, needing the air and the space to clear my head. Too much has happened in too little time. And if I know Johnny—and I do—it’s gonna get worse before it gets better.
I’m a block away from the apartment when a black SUV pulls to the curb. Two figures peel out fast, moving with purpose. Not street thugs… these boys are trained. I clock them instantly and stop. Hands lifting just a hair to show I’m not a threat.
“Easy, boys. I’m not looking for trouble.”
The blonde sizes me up, sharp and cold. The brunette’s wound a little tighter under the surface. This isn’t about information. It’s personal.
“Who are you?” the blonde asks.
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. Her Axel 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.
I watch them go, a strange feeling curling in my chest. This is going to be one hell of a reunion.
And I’ll be damned if I miss the show.
∞∞∞
I tear through the shopping trip quickly restocking her favorites. Candy. Soda. Chips. Shit she’ll probably poke at and forget the second her nerves kick in. Doesn’t matter. If it gives her even a minute of peace, it’s worth it.
Half my brain’s still playing that conversation on loop.
Axel and Nik. Hell. She wasn’t exaggerating. The haunted eyes, the restraint barely holding them together… it’s all true. If I didn’t already know how deep she runs under their skin, I do now. It was obvious.
I take my time walking back. There’s no reason to rush. When it comes to this, timing matters, a lot. Johnny’s out for now, but he won’t be forever, and I need this to pan out for her.
By the time I enter the penthouse, I’m ready. Focused. This is her choice, and it damn well better stay that way. No more cages. Not from any of us.
The place is quiet and the lights low. I head toward the bedroom, my pulse picking up. Not from nerves, but with anticipation.
When I tell her? Yeah, I’m gonna be the favorite today. Me. Not Johnny. I’ve always been a competitive bastard. I never claimed otherwise.
I find her still tangled in blankets, hair a mess, eyes on me the second I step in. She’s beautiful. Fucking beautiful. Still wrecked from earlier. And that glow on her skin? Yeah… I saw how it got there.
“Took you long enough,” she says, voice rough with sleep.
I grin, and toss the bag onto the bed. “Got what you wanted.”
She pushes up on her knees, rifling through it. I lean against the frame, just watching.
God, I could watch her do this shit for hours. No show. No posing. Just her.
Then I clear my throat, keeping my voice even. “By the way,” I say casually, “you’ve got company coming.”
She freezes, before her head snaps up. “What?”
I cross my arms. “Axel. Nik. I ran into them downstairs.”
Her breath catches. Her whole body locks. “You what—”
“Relax.” I give her a small smile. “They just want to see you. That’s it. I told them I’d text when it’s safe.”
She swallows hard, eyes wide, raw as hell. Fuck, it kills me how much they still own pieces of her, but it doesn’t piss me off. It just makes sense. It’s real.
“I thought…” she whispers. “I thought they might hate me.”
I push off the doorframe and walk over. Tip her chin up with two fingers. “They don’t. Trust me. I saw it all over them.”
Her eyes shine. Scared and hopeful. Torn to fucking pieces.
I lower my voice. “It’s your choice, Baby. I’ll stand in their way if that’s what you want. Or I’ll open the damn door and let them crawl to you. Whatever you need.”
She stares at me, shaking slightly.
Then she nods. Just once.
“Okay,” she breathes.
I smile, slow. “Good. You should know… they’re not coming to pick a fight with you. They’re coming because they love you. Just like I do.”
Her lips part on a sharp inhale.
I kiss her forehead, lingering. “Rest up. You’ll want to be on your ‘A’ game for this.”
Then I walk out, leaving her with sour candy, a second chance, and a heart split clean down the middle.