Chapter 2 #2
Once I start talking, I can’t stop. I tell him everything. The breakdown of my relationship with Ranger, coming to New York, falling for Colt, finding out about Theo. I tell him about Spider and the explosions that tore so much from us.
And I tell him about Ranger trying to kill Theo and me.
Axel closes his eyes when I get to that part. He tenses his jaw and looks away, feeling the shame only Ranger should feel. “Fucking Christ.” He releases my hand to rub his face. “Is Theo okay?”
“Daniel,” I correct quietly, forcing a smile. “He’s back home in Florida. He’s being watched. He’s safe and healthy.”
I check on Theo daily, my men close by giving me updates and photographs when things get too difficult. If I allow myself to think about it too much, I’ll go to him, and I’ll do something that I shouldn’t.
I’ll take him back.
“I’m so sorry, Denver,” Axel says. “I’m so fucking sorry for everything he’s done.”
“It isn’t for you to apologize.”
“Dad came to New York with me.” I immediately stiffen, and he clasps my hand in both of his. “I told him I wanted to see you, and he was worried about me going alone.”
“Bullshit. Remember who he is—”
“I know who he is, Denver. And as for what he’s done … it’s unforgiveable. But I think maybe you should see him.”
I yank my hand free and stand. “Axel, you have spent the last eight years begging me to stay away from your dad, and there’s a reason for that. He’s lost me for good, so he’s switched tactic. That’s all.”
“He’s broken.”
“Good.” My voice cracks, my throat suddenly painfully dry. “He should be broken. He ruined me. He used me. He doesn’t deserve me, or you, or Theo. He’s a fucking monster, and he should die alone.”
Axel doesn’t argue, but he does look away. He’s been in Australia for a year, so maybe he’s forgotten who we’re dealing with, but I haven’t been allowed to forget. Ranger has plagued and twisted my every thought for almost a decade, and I won’t fall into his web again.
“He didn’t ask me to come here,” Axel continues softly. “He hasn’t told me what to say or encouraged me to bring you back. If you go to him, he won’t expect it. I don’t forgive him, and I’m not asking you to forgive him, either, but I’m begging you to consider seeing him.”
“Why?” I whisper. “What’s the point?”
“He’s letting things fall apart. He isn’t working, not answering calls. Even Cal has quit.” He shakes his head, looking like that lost kid again. The one I last saw with blood on his face and a gun in his hand. “People are going to come for him if he doesn’t get back to who he is.”
My throat thickens and I turn away. It isn’t my responsibility. It’s not my place. Ranger has taken so much from me that he doesn’t deserve a moment of my time, let alone a fucking pep talk.
“Can I interrupt?” Alistair stands in the doorway and leans against the frame. “It isn’t a bad idea to go.”
“This is nothing to do with you, Alistair,” I say, frustration bleeding into my words.
“Your connection to this family is Ranger,” Alistair says.
“He needs to be on board with this. He also needs to actually do his job. If people don’t respect him, they’ll doubt you, which means they doubt us.
” I grip the mantel, my knuckles whitening as his words hit home.
“As much as I hate to say it, Ranger is almost as important to this plan as you are.”
I hate that he makes sense. Ranger is my tie to the McEwans, and he’s the only reason most of the family heads will even tolerate me being in this seat without a lick of experience.
They’re putting up with it because they think Ranger is pulling the strings behind the scenes, not the other way around.
“What plan?” Axel asks, looking between us.
Alistair keeps his focus entirely on me, honey eyes bright in the morning light filtering through the windows. “I’ll come with you.”
“That isn’t a comforting offer,” I say and rub my temple. “I’ll explain in the car, Axel.”
After a tense car ride and quick-fire rundown of our plan, we arrive at Ranger and Axel’s hotel.
With Lewis on one side and Axel on the other, we walk through the hotel lobby where familiar security lingers in plain clothes, men protecting my husband.
My own security doesn’t attempt to hide.
We’re surrounded by men in suits with earpieces in, a clear message that we’re protected.
Alistair is close behind. Taf is with him, looking as menacing as always.
Intrigued onlookers track us as we reach the bank of elevators. Axel rolls his shoulders, releasing a shuddering breath.
“I haven’t missed this,” he mumbles.
I try to smile, but even I know it comes off as weak. “You’ll be home soon.”
“Will I?” he asks, looking down at me. “Because right now, I don’t think I could leave him. And I definitely don’t want to leave you.”
The elevator doors open, and some wide-eyed people exit before Lewis, Axel and I step in.
“Guess you’ll have to get the next one,” Lewis says, feigning sadness, and presses for the penthouse. Alistair meets my eyes before the doors close.
“We’ll be right behind you,” he says.
He disappears behind the metal doors, and I exhale, leaning against the mirrored glass. “Prick.”
“He didn’t take it well, then?” Lewis asks.
“What do you think?”
Axel looks bewildered. “Do I even want to know?”
“No,” Lewis and I say, and we’re silent the rest of the ride up.
God, I’m exhausted. Midnight murder and family rivalries really take it out of you.
My stomach twists into painful knots as the elevator doors open directly into the penthouse.
It’s quiet, the curtains drawn, and Axel takes tentative steps forward.
Polished floors are dulled in the darkened space, makeshift walls providing a partial hall.
To the right there’s a kitchen and dining area, and to the left is a living room with two large, plush couches and doors that likely lead to bedrooms. We walk down the hall, and a bar to the right is void of alcohol.
I frown as my gaze sweeps over refrigerators filled only with soda cans and bottles of water.
He's avoiding drinking.
Guilt churns alongside the anxiety, and I inhale deeply to banish the tightness in my chest, but I lose the ability to breathe at all when I hear his voice.
“Axel?” It isn’t the way he usually says his son’s name. Generally, it’s clipped and irritated, a demand to know Axel’s whereabouts or what he’s been doing. Now, the rough timbre of his voice is inquisitive.
Maybe even concerned.
When he steps into view from a door beyond the bar, I almost run in the opposite direction.
Most men see Ranger as power. It exudes from him—his voice, his presence, his eyes, his words.
He carefully crafted that reputation not only with his actions, but with expensive suits and timepieces that cost more than people would spend on a car.
Everything about Ranger Luxe screams power. It always has.
But now, he’s … a man.
Dressed in gray sweatpants and a black T-shirt, the man I married looks uncertain as he steps into the room, but when he spots us, the expression is swept away and replaced with his usual strength and darkness.
He lifts his chin, straightens his shoulders, and becomes Ranger Luxe in a matter of seconds.
“What’s this?” he asks, arching a brow, but his indifference is fake.
“I asked Denver to come over,” Axel says. “She told me everything.”
Ranger blinks slowly, as if bored. “Did she.” It isn’t a question—closer to a disinterested statement. “I bet that was an interesting one-sided conversation.”
“About you stealing my son and then trying to kill us?” I challenge softly, unwilling to rise to the anger that desperately wants to burst free. He pins me with a stare, but I don’t falter. “Is any part of that a lie, Ranger?”
He doesn’t get the chance to answer. The elevator doors open again, and Alistair Chase strides into the room with confidence he shouldn’t have.
“Ah,” Ranger almost purrs, his smile sardonic. “Brought one of your McEwans. Or are you a Harland, Alistair? I can’t keep up.”
Alistair gives Ranger the same attention he gives me. Very little.
“Are we having this conversation or not?” Alistair asks.
“Conversation?” Ranger looks wildly amused now. “Oh, little bird, do you need a favor from me?”
“Dad.” Axel’s voice is cutting, one I’ve never heard from him, and Ranger reins in his bitter delight. My gaze darts between them, confusion pulling my brows together, because not only is Axel talking back to Ranger—but Ranger is listening.
Another tactic.
Manipulation.
That’s all it is.
“Well,” Ranger says decisively. “Let’s sit.”
We go to the living area. Axel sits, and so does Ranger, the latter looking far too relaxed. He’s dressed casually, but he may as well be in a ten-thousand-dollar suit and holding all the cards.
I stand by the television, arms folded. Alistair, thankfully, doesn’t stand by my side. Ranger would see that as an attack and dig his heels in.
“I’m going to cut to the chase,” Alistair says, dipping his hands into his pockets.
“Denver is temporarily taking over the McEwan family. Her link to that is you. I need you to support her, vocally, and I need you to sort your shit out, too. You’re losing grip, and it needs to stop. People are talking.”
Axel sighs. Lewis does, too.
This is not how you get anything from Ranger Luxe.
Ranger rests his arm on the back of the couch. “Please, continue insulting me while asking me to save your livelihood. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.”
Alistair tilts his head as if considering pulling his gun.
I squeeze the bridge of my nose. “Someone get out a measuring tape. I think the boys here want to compare.” Lewis snorts out a laugh. Axel cringes. Taf looks a little giddy. “Alistair, go and wait downstairs.”
“Yes, Alistair, be a good boy,” Ranger chimes in.
I cut him a heated glare. “And you shut up. You’re in no fucking position to act how you are.”
“Careful, little bird—”
“I am not your little bird,” I hiss. “You do not threaten, you do not gloat, or mock, or joke. You keep your fucking mouth shut until we’re alone.
” Had the last few months not happened, Ranger would have me against the wall, whispering threats and promises to make me come for my attitude.
I’d have succumbed, as always, but so much has changed.
I’ve changed. I look at Alistair. “Go downstairs or go home.”
“Can I leave you unsupervised with him?”
The words are like teeth sinking into my heart. They shouldn’t surprise me, but they do.
I steel my spine. “Get out. Lewis, go with him and make sure he leaves.”
My bodyguard shakes his head. “I’m not—”
“Everybody stop talking to me as if what I say is negotiable,” I snap. “All of you do as I fucking ask. Axel will stay. I’ll be fine.”