Chapter 31
WREN
Axel came home while I was sleeping and left again in the morning before I woke up. I know that he was here, though, because the bed smells like he does when he’s fresh out of the shower.
When he walks into the suite at lunchtime, though, I know that it’s over. Axel has blood on his forearms, and he looks more at peace.
I tug him into the bathroom and strip him out of his clothes. He’s taken care of me so many times, and now it’s my tun. I turn on the water and get the temperature just right before guiding him inside. While he stands under the spray, I slip out of my clothes and step in behind him.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I lather the washcloth and begin to wash his forearms off.
“I’m good, baby,” he tells me softly. “It’s finally over.”
My shoulders slump in relief. At least, I think it’s relief. I’m not really sure how I feel. I thought that I would feel so happy to have Zach dead and out of our lives, but right now, I don’t feel as happy as I thought I would.
“Let’s get you cleaned up and then we can lay down,” I tell him. “You haven’t slept very much.”
“Sounds good,” he murmurs. “Thank you.”
“For what?” I ask, my brow furrowed.
“For being mine.”
I stand on my tip toes and press a kiss to his lips.
Then I help him rinse and dry off before climbing into bed with him.
He pulls me into his arms, and I snuggle into his chest, the emotions of the last few days weighing us both down.
With his warmth enveloping me, it only takes me a minute to fall asleep.
****
One week later
It took me a while, but I’m finally comfortable knowing that Zach is gone. He can never hurt another woman or child again. He can never kill one of my friends again. He’s truly gone, and this world is a better place for it.
I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and I think I’m ready to go back to college. It’s been my dream to be a lawyer, and I finally think I’m at a place in my life that I can pursue it.
I grab my bag and head into the kitchen to find Axel.
I have about twenty minutes before I have to head into work, so this is the perfect time to talk to him about it, having just decided for myself that it’s happening.
I know that he’ll be happy for me, but I want his opinion on the matter regardless.
“Morning, baby,” he murmurs as he takes the scrambled eggs off the burner.
“Morning,” I greet him, sneaking up behind him and hugging his chest.
He spins around in my arms and gives me a proper hug, kissing me on the forehead. “Let me get you some food before you head into work.”
He slips past me and plates the scrambled eggs and toast for me. I grab the orange juice from our fridge and pour us each a glass and he takes our plates to the island and pulls out a seat for me. I put the glasses down and take my seat, smiling at him in thanks.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” I hedge.
“I knew you looked like something was wrong,” he says, his brow furrowed.
“Nothing is wrong, Axel,” I murmur as I squeeze his hand reassuringly. “I promise. I just was thinking that it might be time to go back to college and become a lawyer, and I wanted to know what you thought about that.”
Axel’s face breaks into a bright smile. “About time, Wren. I’m so fucking proud of you,” he says as he flips his hand over and intertwines our fingers. “I think that’s the best decision.”
My smile mirrors his. “You do?”
“I do,” he chuckles. “Now, eat your eggs so you can go tell Lenny the good news.”
My heart is light as we eat our breakfast. This has become our regular routine. Don’t get me wrong, eating with the guys is nice and Chef’s cooking is the best, but it’s nice to start the mornings with each other. It’s so much more intimate.
When I finish eating, I kiss Axel goodbye and head downstairs. I don’t have a shadow anymore, so I can leave the clubhouse whenever I want to and go wherever I want to. I kind of miss having Axel follow me around, but I would never tell him that.
I climb into my SUV and start the engine, pulling towards the gate.
I wave at Daryl, the newly appointed prospect that started this week, as I pull through.
He’s Axel’s cousin and seems like he’ll be a good fit here.
He has big shoes to fill, because Levi and Noah were incredible prospects.
It won’t be long before Ace and Theo are patched members, either.
I turn up the radio and listen to the local morning show as I make my way into town. When I pull into the lot, I’m not surprised to see Lenny is already here. The man has a crazy work ethic.
I park my vehicle and grab my bag before heading inside. I unlock the door and walk in, the bell overhead announcing my presence.
“It’s just me, Lenny,” I call out as I walk towards my desk.
I put my things down and start my computer before walking back to our break room where I start the coffee. It’s just finishing when Lenny walks into the room.
“That smells heavenly,” he groans as he takes a seat at the table.
“It’s just store bought,” I deadpan.
“Store bought is just fine with me,” he murmurs. “So, what do you want to talk to me about?” His question takes me aback and the look on my face must tell him so. “We’ve worked together too long for me not to be able to read your facial expressions,” he chuckles. “So, out with it.”
I bite my lip before pulling out a seat and plopping down into it. “I think I’m ready to go back to college to become a lawyer. The next round of courses starts in three months.”
“Of course, you are,” he murmurs with a small smile. “I’ve just been waiting for you to come to that conclusion.”
“What?” I ask, shocked that he knew.
“Wren, you’ve been ready for this for a long time. I was just waiting for you to realize that. You are going to be an amazing lawyer, and I can rest easy knowing that I’ll have you to take over the practice one day.”
“What!?” I screech. He’s said it before, but I didn’t think he was serious.
He chuckles. “Yes, I want you to take over the practice one day. I couldn’t trust just anyone else with my clients. I already trust you with them, why would I start over?”
“You could have told me I was ready,” I grumble as I stand up and fill two mugs of coffee.
“I know, but this way was so much more fun.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”
He smiles widely. “I do. That’s why we work so well together, because you’re one, too.”
I shake my head and walk out of the break room, calling over my shoulder, “You’re annoying. I’ll be at my desk, you know, actually working.”
His laughter follows me all the way to the front of the office.