Chapter Eleven
Axel
He was a glutton for punishment. He really was. After all, only a glutton would keep going to Elysium knowing he had to keep his distance.
He'd learned Sophia’s schedule over the last two weeks, and was headed to the club so he could watch her from the shadows.
Maybe he was a coward. As much as he wanted to be in Sophia's orbit, he still didn't want to piss Sinner off. Still, he kept thinking about what Ripper said about whether or not Sophia was worth it.
Growling, he roared down the street toward the club, passing Sophia's car at the end of the block. He found a place to park and made his way inside, expecting to see Sophia already on stage but one of the other dancers was there instead.
Curious, he strode to where Indi was and, instead of waiting for her to notice him, he spoke up.
“Hey, Indi. Is Sophia off tonight?”
“Hey, Axel. Yeah, but not by choice. She came in looking like death warmed over so I sent her home. She just left a few minutes ago.”
“Thanks. I think I'll go catch up to her and walk her to her car. It's parked at the end of the block. Not a good place to be if she's not feeling good.”
Since he knew she went out the employee entrance, he moved through the tables to the door leading to the employee area.
He nodded at Rose, who was just exiting the dressing room, before he reached the door leading outside.
He stepped out, turned in the direction Sophia's car was, and frowned. It was dimmer in this area, but he should have seen her walking down the block.
His steps were hurried as he left the club behind. If something had happened to her…
The sound of scuffling and whimpers from the side alley just ahead caught his attention and he rushed toward it. Stepping into the alley, he saw a man holding someone down. There was a flash of silver and he knew the guy had a knife.
“Hey, asshole! Get the fuck off them,” Axel said, and when he stepped forward, he realized the person on the ground was Sophia.
Rage filled him, and with a snarl, he jerked the man away, and slammed his fist in the asshole's face.
All he could see was the terror on Sophia's face as she'd been held down and his fists kept flying, pummeling the man beneath him.
“Axel! Axel, stop!”
Sophia's voice filtered through the rage and he paused his hits to look at her.
“I-if you don't s-stop, you're going t-to kill him. He's not worth it,” she said quietly.
The gentleness in her tone calmed him, the red haze of rage receded, and he realized she was right.
He slowly got to his feet and went to wrap his arms around her. “It's okay. You're safe now, babygirl.” He tightened his arms briefly. “Where's your bag?” he asked, realizing she didn't have it.
“I… don't know. I dropped it when he grabbed me.”
“It's okay. We'll find it. I need to call the police, but I have another call I have to make first.”
He pulled his phone out and pressed the call button.
“Hey, Prez. You're needed at Elysium. In the back. There's been an incident. Uh, I'm also going to need Havoc's professional help. I'm going to get arrested,” he said, not giving Sinner the chance to speak.
“What the fuck happened?” Sinner asked.
“Some asshole tried to attack Sophia—”
“He did what?” Sinner snarled.
“I stopped him, but I need to get the cops here… and an ambulance.”
“We're on our way. I'll have Havoc meet you at the station,” Sinner said and hung up.
Axel sighed and dialed 911.
“911, what's your emergency?”
“I'm in the alley behind Club Elysium. We need police and an ambulance.” He gave the address and hung up.
Then, he sent Indi a text.
Axel: Indi, need you out back. Sophia was almost attacked, cops on the way
Indi: On my way
Sure enough, once the cops arrived, he found himself being read his rights.
“This isn't fair! He didn't do anything wrong. He was just trying to save me,” Sophia said from where Indi stood with her arms around her.
“It's okay, babygirl. They're just doing their jobs,” he told her as he was cuffed. “Go on back inside. Your dad will be here soon.”
He didn't fight when he was put in the car, and then he was on his way.
This was the first time he'd ever been arrested and he had no idea what to expect. After going through the booking process, he was taken to an interrogation room and waited for someone to come question him.
He wasn't sure how long he was there before the door opened and an officer walked in.
“Mr. Rivers, I'm Sergeant Grant,” the man said, sitting across from him. “I have some questions for you.”
“I'm not answering anything until my lawyer arrives,” Axel replied.
“Now, Mr. Rivers, is there really a need–”
“Yes,” Axel said, cutting him off.
Soon after, there was a knock at the door and another officer stuck his head in.
“Mr. Rivers’ lawyer is here.”
“Show them in,” Sergeant Grant replied.
The door closed for a moment, and then Havoc entered.
“I'm Paxton Reid, Mr. Rivers’ attorney. What is my client being charged with?”
“Assault and battery,” the sergeant said.
“I see. I need a few minutes alone with my client.”
“You've got five minutes,” the sergeant told them and left.
“Tell me what happened,” Havoc ordered and Axel did so quickly.
“Okay. I can work with this. Don't worry. By the time I'm done, you'll not only be free, but all charges will be dropped.”
When the sergeant returned, Havoc dove right in.
“Sergeant Grant, after speaking with my client, I am requesting the charges be dropped.”
“Your client assaulted someone,” the sergeant said.
“Correction. My client defended himself. After coming upon an attempted assault, he intervened and found himself confronted with a knife.”
When the sergeant attempted to interrupt him, Havoc steamrolled right over him.
“This is how it is going to play out, if these bogus charges aren't dropped. We'll get to court, where I will prove my client is innocent, and once the charges are dismissed, I will file a civil suit against the station as well as you, personally.
“When we get into court for the civil case, we will win, and not only will the city owe my client a great deal of money, but so will you.
“You're a sergeant, so I'm guessing you've been with the Hartford PD for twenty years—”
“Twenty-two,” the sergeant said.
“Imagine the blemish this will put on all those years of service.”
“This is blackmail,” the sergeant groused.
“No. It's just the simple truth,” Havoc countered. Then he sat back in his chair and crossed his arms, staring the man down.
“Your client is free to go,” the sergeant finally grumbled. “All charges will be dropped.”
“I thought you might see reason,” Havoc told him before he turned to Axel. “Let's go, Mr. Rivers.”
Axel stood and followed Havoc out of the station. He was silent until they were both in Havoc's car.
“Damn. I'm glad you're on our side,” Axel said once they were safely inside.
“There's a reason why I'm one of the most sought after defense attorneys in the state,” Havoc replied.
“I can see why.” Axel chuckled. “How's Sophia? Do you know?”
“No idea. I headed right to the station while Sinner went to the club.”
“Makes sense.” He spotted Sophia's car on the way to where his motorcycle was parked near the club and wondered if she was still there.
“Thanks for the ride, brother,” he told Havoc before he got out of the car.
He could have gone straight home, but instead, he went inside to see if Sophia was still there.
“I had a feeling you'd be back,” Indi said when she saw him.
“Is Sophia here?” he asked without preamble.
“No. Sinner took her home. He's sending some prospects to retrieve her car.”
“Ah. They need to put some cameras or something in that alley. Or you need security for the girls,” he told her.
“I'm meeting with Sinner tomorrow to discuss getting some of the prospects here for that.”
“Got anyone for tonight?” When she shook her head, he made a decision. “I'll stick around until you close.”
As each girl finished her set and left, Axel walked her to her vehicle. When the last customer was gone, he turned to Indi.
“Need me to stick around?”
“Nah. I'm good. We all walk out together, so you can get out of here,” Indi replied.
“All right, then. Drive safe,” he said, nodded, and left to go home. He really hoped Sophia was okay after what almost happened to her.