14. Axel
CHAPTER 14
AXEL
I stand outside the house, mask in hand, staring down at the package addressed to Eva. Checking the tracker on my phone, I see the dot moving closer. Five minutes. That’s how long I have before she’s back. I scan my surroundings, looking for a place to hide before I get caught.
The crunch of gravel reaches my ears, and I glance up to see headlights coming down the driveway. Quickly, I grab the package and slip into the shadows between the trees, shaking the box. No sound, nothing moves.
Eva’s voice drifts through the trees. “Race you inside!” she shouts, giggling as the gravel crunches beneath her feet, heading toward the door I was just standing in front of. I push a branch aside, watching her run with bags in her hands. As I step forward, a twig snaps underfoot, and Eva whips her head toward the sound. She looks even more stunning than the last time I saw her. Her eyes narrow as she scans the darkness, searching for the source of the noise.
Shaking her head, she unlocks the door and steps inside. I hesitate, ready to follow, but another figure appears—another woman, talking about candles and food as she follows Eva inside.
Once the door closes, I’m left with nothing but silence, and the image of Eva lingers in my mind.
Leaning against the tree, I sink to the ground, the package resting in my lap. My fingers quickly tear at the tape, unable to resist the urge to know what’s inside. A piece of her. Something to claim as mine.
Inside, red paper protects the contents. I rip it apart and freeze when I see what’s inside—sex toys, meant for her to find release. Release that only I should be giving her.
Frustration bubbles inside me, and I throw the box to the ground. This is taking too long. I need to act fast. I push myself to my feet, eyes scanning the house ahead. The living room light is on. Eva and her friend are lounging on the sofa, completely unaware that I’m just a few feet away, watching them.
Taking a risk, I slip into the trees, pulling the mask over my face. The path ahead glows red from the lights, casting an eerie hue as I glance up at Eva’s balcony. I climb a tree and leap, grabbing the railings, swinging myself over.
Inside her room, a lamp casts soft light. Scanning the room, I see her clothes scattered across the floor by the foot of her bed. The bathroom door is slightly ajar. Everything else is still untouched.
I press against the balcony door, and notice the latch is off. ‘Naughty Eva,’ I think, a smirk tugging at my lips. ‘It’s like you want someone to come in.’ Slowly, I slide the door open, pausing to listen for any movement inside.
The cool night air brushes past me as I step inside, my feet silent against the carpet. The faint scent of her vanilla fills the air, pulling me deeper.
This is what a home should smell like. It should smell like her.
I kneel, brushing my fingers over the fabric of her discarded shirt, imagining her slipping out of it in a rush to leave this morning.
Footsteps echo down the hallway, growing louder, closer. My heart hammers in my chest.
A breeze flutters past me, and I realise the balcony door is still open.
Shit, I forgot to close it.
I dive beneath the bed, holding my breath, hiding just as the footsteps enter the room. From my position, I see her shoes at the door, and her scent—vanilla—floods the air.
I stay still, watching her move toward the balcony. She pauses, locking the door behind her.
Seconds later, she’s in front of me, a sheet the only barrier between us. She picks up clothes from the floor and heads for the bathroom, closing the door behind her. I wait. Counting the seconds. Then I hear the water start. The shower.
I inch forward, careful not to make a sound, crawling out from under the bed. My eyes scan the room, taking in my next move. “That was too close,” I mutter under my breath.
A red nightdress lies on the bed. My fingers twitch as I pick it up, holding it in front of me, feeling the soft fabric.
“Damn, Eva,” I whisper, the thought of her wearing it for me spinning my mind into overdrive. But then, a moan escapes from the bathroom. I freeze. The sound pulls me back to the moment. My grip tightens around the nightdress.
I edge toward the bathroom door, needing confirmation. Another moan drifts through the cracks, and my body reacts instantly—heat pooling in my groin. My cock hardens at the sound of her pleasure, and the temptation to push the door open overwhelms me. I close my eyes, forcing myself to stay in control. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to give in. I can’t risk it. Not yet.
I take a step back, trying to calm myself, but the sounds continue—each one pushing me closer to the edge. I step back too far when I collide into a table, sending the lamp crashing towards the floor.
Her voice rings out, sharp and clear. “Mandy, is that you?” I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. She calls out again, louder this time. “Mandy, I swear to God, if you’re messing with me, I’m going to kill you!”
The shower cuts off, and I hear her footsteps approaching the door. Panic surges through me. I turn and bolt toward the back door, the nightdress still clutched tightly in my hand.
One last glance at the bathroom door. The urge to run back to her is nearly overwhelming, but I resist. Instead, I place a white envelope on the table, then leap over the balcony, grabbing hold of the tree branch I used earlier.
I race through the trees toward my car, parked around the corner. I don’t stop until I’m inside, gasping for air.
I slam my fists against the steering wheel, frustration boiling over.“Axel, you fucking idiot!” I shout, hitting the wheel again. I had her. She was right there. But I ran.
Tomorrow .
Tomorrow, I’ll claim her. And that’s a promise I make to myself as I drive back to the apartment, already planning my next move.
I walk into the apartment and find Flynn scoffing the leftover Chinese takeout, crumbs falling from the corner of his mouth. He doesn’t even glance up when I enter. “What’s got you in a mood, you’re doing your foot stomping thing” he asks, mid-chew.
“Nothing,” I mutter, kicking off my boots. “Now move, you’re in my spot.” Flynn grumbles but shifts over, letting me sink into the familiar corner of the couch. I rest my head against the cushions, trying to push down the storm brewing inside me.
“I need you to do something for me,” I say, my voice flat. Flynn raises an eyebrow, still munching. “And what may that be?”
“I need you to take someone out tomorrow night.”
He sets the carton down, curiosity piqued. “Who?”
“Mandy. Eva’s friend.”
His head snaps toward me. “That hot chick she hangs around with?”
Perfect. I knew he wouldn’t resist. Pressure lifts off my chest at how easy this might be.
“Yeah, her. I need you to get her away from Eva for a few hours.”
Flynn lets out a booming laugh, clapping his hands like a seal that just got his meal.
“I gotcha, brother. But why? What’s up with Eva, has she got a little something something that needs the special Axel touch?” He asks jokingly.
I glance away quickly trying to hide my smile, but it’s too late. Flynn’s sharp. He catches it right away, his voice dipping in disbelief. ??“No… Axel, come on. We don’t even know anything about her, Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for that girl?”
I don’t dare meet his eyes. Flynn knows me too well. Knows when I’m hiding something. He knows I can’t lie to him. I quickly fill him in on my plan for tomorrow night, making sure to leave out certain details.
He stands, pacing in front of me, frustration radiating off him. “Axel man, does she know we’re here? Are you going to tell her why we're here?”
I shake my head. “No. She doesn’t know yet.” I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of what’s coming. “But she will tomorrow. We need to find out who is after Carter.”
Flynn stops in his tracks, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. But there’s no stopping it now. Eva’s in my head, and no matter what I tell myself, I can’t shake her. She’s here to stay, but I also need to protect my family.