Chapter 29
WREN
I have been nervous all day.
I woke up in Axel’s arms, and I immediately knew that he hadn’t slept. He hates what we’re about to do, but I think it’s our only option to lure Zach out.
We spent most of the day lying in bed, only getting up to get food and go to the bathroom.
We didn’t really speak, either. I think we both know that this could go one of two ways.
Flawlessly with Zach captured and killed, or failing and one, or multiples of us, dying. The second one isn’t even an option.
When it’s finally time for us to get up, I walk into the closet and grab comfortable clothes and shoes, just in case I have to fight, and then head into the bathroom to get ready.
I step into the leggings and put on the sports bra and long-sleeved top before slipping some socks on.
I brush my hair and style it in a bun so there’s nothing for him to grab onto and then walk back into the closet to grab my sneakers.
When I walk out into the living room, Axel is wearing black cargo pants, a black long-sleeved shirt, and black boots. He looks hot and like he’s ready to kill someone.
“Are you going to be able to handle this?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he murmurs. “No matter how much I don’t like the idea, this is the only one we’ve got.”
“It’s all going to go as planned.”
“That’s all we can hope for,” he says as he grabs his gun from the kitchen island and shoves it into the waistband of his pants. He takes a deep breath and releases it. “Are you ready for this? We can still figure something else out. No one would be upset with you.”
“I’m ready,” I tell him, sounding surer of myself than I am. “We end this today.”
He nods his head before walking over and engulfing me in his arms. I breathe in his delicious sent and revel in the warmth of his skin. It chases away some of the bone deep chill I feel.
“Let’s get this over with, then,” he mutters. “Whatever you do, don’t leave Atlas unless you’re at your apartment. We’re going to keep the prospects close by when they drop us off and they will watch you to make sure you make it into your apartment without issue.”
“Okay. I trust them.”
“I do, too.”
Axel leans down and kisses me, his tongue invading my mouth and stealing my breath away. It almost makes me forget what we’re about to do. Almost.
He breaks our kiss all too soon and grabs my hand, pulling me out of the suite and downstairs. For all the people inside, it’s quiet in the main room. You can tell how anxious everyone is.
I need today to go as smoothly as possible. Not for me, but for Axel. I know that he blames himself for what happened to Luke, even though no one else does. He needs this win.
Axel leads me over to Grayson, Rowan, and Cane. “Keep her safe,” he orders them.
“You know we will,” Grayson murmurs. “You two stay safe and remain unseen.”
“We will,” Cane replies.
Axel places a kiss on my forehead and then he and Cane walk over to Ace and Theo, motioning for them to join them. I watch as they walk out of the clubhouse and the worry only heightens in my stomach.
“We’re all going to be okay,” Atlas says as he stops besides me. “You’ll be back with Ax before you know it.”
“Not soon enough,” I mutter, making him chuckle.
The next hour is the most anxious of my entire life. We don’t truly know what Zach is capable of. He was willing to kill Luke to get to me and I don’t want anyone else to die on my account.
A hand lands on my shoulder, making me jump. “Shit, I’m sorry,” Atlas murmurs, an apologetic look on his face. “I just wanted to see if you’re ready?”
“It’s okay,” I assure him. “I’m just really antsy right now. I’m ready.”
He nods his head in the direction of the lot. I let him walk outside and give him a moment to get in my SUV. It’s in one of the garage bays, so he’ll be hidden from view.
After a minute passes, I look back at Grayson and Rowan who give me a reassuring smile, then I rush out of the clubhouse.
“I never want to see you again!” I yell at no one as I run towards my SUV.
We decided that it would be best to make Zach think that Axel and I got into a fight and that I’m fleeing the clubhouse. If he’s watching me, hopefully he’ll be tempted to try to see me.
I climb into my vehicle and start the engine, taking a deep breath before I pull out of the garage and to the gate of the clubhouse. The guys let me out and I pull onto the road in the direction of my apartment.
“You’re doing good, Wren,” Atlas says from the trunk where he’s hunkered down. “Just take it slow and drive like usual.”
“That’s easier said than done,” I mutter.
“I know, but it’s all going to be okay.”
My eyes are all over the place. I look in my rearview mirror and side mirrors constantly until I see headlights approaching.
“I think he’s behind us,” I tell Atlas, my voice pinched in worry.
“Good, just keep driving. Take deep breaths, okay?”
“Okay,” I murmur as we enter the city limits.
I slow down and head towards my apartment. It’s dark out, so the only things illuminated are the parking lot and the stairwells. It looks spooky.
“Won’t my neighbors hear all this?” I ask, suddenly aware of the circumstances.
“We already talked to them earlier today; they know that it’s club business.”
In other words, they know not to interfere with what the club has planned. The whole town knows that the club does things with the betterment of its citizens in mind.
I don’t respond as I pull into the parking lot and stop the engine.
“You’re doing great, Wren. Get out of the vehicle and go inside. The prospects will watch you until you make it inside and Axel and Cane are already there.”
I watch as a vehicle pulls across the street and my pulse picks up. “I think he’s here,” I whisper.
“It’s okay,” Atlas tells me. “If he tries anything out here, I’ll fucking kill him myself.”
“Okay.” I straighten my shoulders and turn off the engine.
I climb out of my SUV and walk towards my apartment. Every inch feels like a mile as I wait for something to happen, but it doesn’t. I reach my door and insert the key, unlocking it and walking inside. I lock the door behind me and turn around, right into Axel’s waiting arms.
“You did so good, baby,” he murmurs softly. “Atlas texted to say that Zach got out of the car across the street. He’s going to come here and you’re going to act like it’s me, okay?”
I nod my head in answer as there’s a knock on the door. My eyes widen as Axel puts a finger to his lips in a “shush” motion. He backs out of the way into the kitchen, and I turn towards the door.
“I don’t want to hear it, Axel!” I yell as I unlock the door and swing it open. “Go home!”
The shock is real when I see Zach on the other side of the door. Not because I didn’t know he was going to be there, but because of the maniacal look on his face.
“Can’t keep the biker trash happy?” He growls as he stalks into the room.
“Get the fuck away from me!” I yell as I back pedal.
“You fucking ruined my life! You helped take my kids away and you wouldn’t just be with me! I’ll fucking take it if I have to, bitch!” He growls.
Just when I think he’s going to grab me, Axel steps in front of me.
“What did you just fucking say?” He growls as his hand snaps out and closes around Zach’s neck.
With strength that I didn’t know existed, I watch Axel toss Zach to the ground. He squeezes his hand as Zach’s face turns red. “I should fucking kill you right here and now for what you did to her. For what you tried to take from her. You don’t deserve to get off that easily, though.”
His hand leaves Zach’s throat and then his fist is flying into his face, knocking him out cold.
“Fucking pussy,” Cane growls from behind me.
Axel whirls around and pulls me into his arms, squeezing me tightly. “You were a fucking pro, baby. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
I think the adrenaline wears off in that moment, because the next thing I know is that I’m sobbing in Axel’s arms. I’m half aware of Cane and Atlas dragging an unconscious Zach from the room, but I don’t care as long as I’m in Axel’s arms, because in Axel’s arms, I feel safe again.