Chapter Twelve
SIENNA
Ifollow Axel through the dimly lit clubhouse on autopilot.
A numbness has washed over me, and while that should probably be terrifying, it’s just preservation at this point.
I’m stuck here until Saint comes back and decides what my future holds.
Not that I’m in a rush to get back to my studio apartment by myself, but at least I had some freedom for a few years.
Even if my dad and Saint kept the leash short.
Axel pulls out a key and unlocks a door, pushing it open for me to step in.
The scent of amber, woods, and citrus wraps around me, and I can’t help but breathe it deeply into my lungs, my eyes fluttering closed.
It’s comforting, and my muscles instinctively relax.
The room is a decent size; a queen-sized bed sits in the center, a closet, a dresser, a small desk and chair, and a large window.
It’s sparse and clean, but there aren’t a lot of personal effects, except for some men’s bracelets that sit on top of the dresser.
“There’s no extra rooms in the clubhouse, and I didn’t think you’d want to bunk with the patch bunnies.”
“So you put me in your room,” I reply as I turn to face him.
He’s standing in the open doorway, his forearm lifted and braced against the doorframe, the fabric of his T-shirt tightening against his flexed bicep, his other hand shoved into his front pocket.
Axel doesn’t look annoyed or put out, but he also doesn’t look happy or eager, just kind of complacent?
His dark hair is more tousled than the last time I saw him, but it is the early hours of the morning, and by the looks of it, he’s been up just as long as I have.
“And where are you going to sleep?” I wrap my arms around myself, torn between not wanting to share a space with another person, and not wanting the only person I know here to leave me. Axel just nods toward the hallway.
“No one would dare to come near my door, you’ll be safe in here. There’s fresh towels in the bathroom if you want to shower, and I keep some waters in the mini fridge under my desk. Help yourself.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you need anything at all, sweetheart?” To be free. To feel safe. To be in control of my own life.
“I’m fine for right now.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours then.”
“Okay.”
“Good night, Sienna.”
“Good night, Axel.”
His eyes linger on my face for longer than socially appropriate, and that sudden warmth fills my veins again.
He’s ridiculously handsome, there’s no question about it, but his face is so expressive, and right now, he looks so concerned, so reluctant to leave that I almost ask him to stay just for some company.
But then he knocks his knuckles against the doorframe and nods, turning and pulling the door closed behind him.
A split second later, there’s an audible click of a lock, and I don’t know whether that just locked everyone out, or locked me in. I suppose it doesn’t matter either way, does it?
With a deep breath, I pick up my bag and set it on the edge of the bed, deciding that I’ll worry about stripping down and showering tomorrow, and all I need right now is sleep.
I quickly change out of my jeans and hoodie, pulling on an oversized T-shirt that I stole from Gage a few years ago.
It’s a faded, washed-out black and says All-American Rejects on the front.
I slip on a pair of shorts, even though I typically just sleep in a T-shirt and underwear, and drop my bag back down to the floor.
Axel’s bed is made, and I stand in front of it, staring until my eyes get heavy and I start to sway on my feet. I’ve never slept in a man’s bed before, and it feels so odd to do so now. I’ve felt out of place a million times, but this definitely takes the cake.
Finally giving in to the urge to be horizontal, I pull back his comforter and sheet, and crawl in.
Pulling only the sheet up over my waist since it’s so warm in his room, even with the window open.
That comforting scent washes over me as I rest my head against the pillow.
A scent that’s all Axel. Autumn woods, amber, and a hint of citrus.
It’s calming enough for my muscles to relax into the plush mattress, but not enough to quiet my mind for sleep, no matter how exhausted I am.
The summer sunlight pours unfiltered into the bedroom, casting long lines of orange across the aged wood floors. I dozed on and off the last several hours, but my constant companion kept the adrenaline pumping continuously through my veins, so I never gave in completely.
It should be weirder waking up in a foreign room, but Maddox has moved me so many times since our parents were murdered that it’s not as disorienting as it should be.
A knock at the door forces me to sit up, looking quickly for my bag to grab my gun, but there’s no time before the lock disengages and the door starts to open.
“Sienna?” Axel walks in, looking slightly ruffled, as if he slept just as rough as I did. He’s wearing the same clothes from earlier, which I guess makes sense, since I’m occupying his room and all.
He walks into the room, shutting and locking the door behind him. I scoot back farther, my back against the wall, pulling the sheets up as if that could protect me if he wanted to hurt me.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Fine. You?”
“One of these days, you’re gonna answer that question and say ‘amazing.’”
“You can keep hoping that.”
Axel moves to the dresser, pulling out a pair of jeans, a plain T-shirt, socks, and underwear, then turns and faces me.
“Would you be uncomfortable if I showered in here? I’d go to one of my brothers’ rooms, but they’ve all got their old ladies in there. I can go to the bunkhouse next door if that’d make you feel better.”
The fact that he even asked about my comfort makes my entire body hum. Axel really is so considerate, and I know he’s trying his best given the situation.
“It’s fine, go ahead. I’ll just be right here.”
“Okay. I won’t be long.” Axel leaves the room and shuts the bathroom door behind him.
I notice he doesn’t bother with the lock, but maybe he’s really not worried about me walking in on him.
I use that time to quickly change my clothes, pulling on my jeans from last night and throwing on a loose-fitting tank top.
It’s probably going to be way too hot for jeans today, but I don’t plan on leaving this room unless I have to.
I pull out my burner phone, powering it on and waiting to see if any messages come through.
Disappointment washes over me when nothing appears.
I’m sure Maddox is still sleeping. I know he’ll check in on me as soon as he’s free.
He’s always been a good brother, but the way he’s coped with all of this has made things even harder on me.
I’m brushing my hair when Axel emerges from the bathroom. He’s wearing jeans, sans shirt, bare feet, and he’s running a towel through his wet hair. My jaw goes slightly slack at the sight of him.
I knew Axel was good-looking, but seeing him like this?
He’s a beautiful, beautiful man. There’s no other way to describe him.
Tattoos cover his stomach, chest, and ribs, every inch of his arms and shoulders.
He’s covered in intricate inked designs.
The artwork is unreal, and my eyes trace over every exposed inch of him in pure curiosity.
When I meet his eyes, he smirks, his eyes playful, as if he’s pleased he just caught me staring.
“It’s a little steamy in there, but you can go in if you need to. I can finish getting ready out here.”
“Oh, uhm, okay. I won’t be long.” I grab my few toiletries and walk into the clammy bathroom, the scent of unfiltered Axel surrounding me. It’s so warm and calming, woods and slight citrus. It reminds me of a fall day. Crisp and clean. Fresh and comforting.
I quickly run through using the toilet, washing my face, brushing my teeth, and plaiting my long hair off to the side.
When I return to the room, Axel is completely dressed, wearing a plain black V-neck T-shirt, a long chain necklace, several bracelets, and various rings.
He’s lacing up his boots and stops to look at me, his eyes not lingering on my body, focusing on my face.
That warm sensation fills me again, my body relaxing.
There’s something so innately peaceful about being around Axel.
He’s naturally calming, exuding a confidence that isn’t at all threatening or demeaning.
“Ready?”
“For?” I ask.
“Thought I could give you a little tour, so you know where you are in the daylight.”
“Oh. That makes sense.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“That’s fine,” I reply, slipping on the sandals that I packed.
Axel stands to his full height, looking down at me with an expression that’s never been directed at me before, but I don’t want to believe that’s what I’m seeing.
His blue eyes are soft around the edges, his head tilted to the side slightly, the right side of his lips pulled up at the corner. He looks . . . enamored.
Warmth spreads through my veins, and I suddenly feel very exposed. I take a step back, wrapping my arms around my middle. Axel shakes his head, sliding into his leather cut, and the moment passes like it never happened at all.
“You ready?” he asks.
“Yeah.” As ready as I’ll ever be.
“If you want to head outside or back in here, just let me know. No questions asked, okay?”
I nod, appreciating the out he’s giving me.
Together, we leave the safety of Axel’s bedroom.
Unlike last night, I look around as we walk through.
A long hallway with several doors leads the way out, the end of it emptying us into a massive open room with a bar, two pool tables, couches, chairs, and another set of doors with a large skull carved into the center of it, a crown sliding off the top, and a large dagger slicing right through the center of the head and out the bottom of the jaw.