dangerous.”
No one had to tell me how dangerous he was. It was one of the reasons I stayed with him, but at this point, I didn’t want to risk my life — not anymore. Death was too easy.
When we arrived at the hospital, doctors and nurses swarmed around Julia. Most of Julia’s injuries were external, and her doctor friend, Chris, went above and beyond her duties in taking care of Julia.
I gave Axel all the details of how I’d met Brad at the restaurant where I worked. I omitted how I offered myself to him, because that would lead to too many questions, but I did tell Axel where he lived – or at least where I thought he lived, because he’d never officially told me after he moved. Brad told me he worked at a bar, but he’d never said where.His schedule was unpredictable, and he could show up at my apartment at any time. He had keys, and the past few months had practically lived with me.
Loud steps thundered through the hospital hallway as a man ran toward us. The door swung open and a stressed man, sporting an identical tattoo on his arm to Axel’s, barged through.
“What the fuck happened?” he asked Axel.
“Brad got to her.”
“Fuck!” the guy swore, drawing attention from a nearby nurse who gave him a stern look.
“This is Scar, my brother. He’s Julia’s boyfriend. They’ve known each other, and Brad, since high school.”
Axel went on to give Scar the details of Brad’s attack, and I stepped out into the hallway. I leaned my back against the wall and slid my body down to the floor. Lowering my head onto my knees, I wondered whether Brad knew Axel as well as he had known Scar. What if they were friends?
Had I dragged all these people back into the life of crazy Brad Watson? Everything was happening so quickly, and my desolate life was once again turning into one big mess. Worst of all, I was afraid I had no control over any of it. The desperation around my heart had eased the moment I found Axel. I brought my hand to my chest, where the pain of my past was revived; yet it didn’t throb as much as it used to.It had been a while since I’d had someone I could depend on. Axel showed up when I needed him without question, like a hero from a movie. Trevor was right: Axel was a true hero.
“This isn’t your fault,” I heard from above me, and I lifted my head.
Axel crouched down and took my hands into his. Our gazes connected in the special way they had that night in the hallway. His touch was almost shocking, yet comforting at the same time. My heart began drumming with happiness.
“Please tell me you knew Brad before you met me. Please tell me I didn’t drag you into his life.”
“I did.” Axel’s voice soothed my worries. “And you didn’t drag me into anything. He’s part owner at Scar’s strip club, Hounds. In fact, he’s the one who’s taking care of the business downstairs.”
“What?”
“He never told you?”
“No, of course not. I mean, he’s been going out a lot, and I… well, I never questioned him.”
“Why not?”
“Because.”
“That’s not a good answer.”
“Well, you said it yourself: Bradley lives by his own rules.”
“Then why would a woman like you choose a man like him?”
I shook my head. How could I tell him that Brad was the penance I had to pay for my mistakes? Axel let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his thumb along my hand. “I’m sorry for losing it in the car, Trish. I’m not that man anymore. I should have kept my anger under control.”
“You did nothing wrong. You were right to get upset. Brad is a worthless piece of shit.”
“Then why would someone like you be with him? Help me understand, Trish. Please?”
“I… I can’t.” My body was beginning to shake, my arms prickled, and my hands clenched into fists. I felt him trying to unwind my grip, smoothing his fingers over mine, slowing the time for us both, and the heat languorously uncoiled my digits, right until I could press my full palm to his. And all the while
No one had to tell me how dangerous he was. It was one of the reasons I stayed with him, but at this point, I didn’t want to risk my life — not anymore. Death was too easy.
When we arrived at the hospital, doctors and nurses swarmed around Julia. Most of Julia’s injuries were external, and her doctor friend, Chris, went above and beyond her duties in taking care of Julia.
I gave Axel all the details of how I’d met Brad at the restaurant where I worked. I omitted how I offered myself to him, because that would lead to too many questions, but I did tell Axel where he lived – or at least where I thought he lived, because he’d never officially told me after he moved. Brad told me he worked at a bar, but he’d never said where.His schedule was unpredictable, and he could show up at my apartment at any time. He had keys, and the past few months had practically lived with me.
Loud steps thundered through the hospital hallway as a man ran toward us. The door swung open and a stressed man, sporting an identical tattoo on his arm to Axel’s, barged through.
“What the fuck happened?” he asked Axel.
“Brad got to her.”
“Fuck!” the guy swore, drawing attention from a nearby nurse who gave him a stern look.
“This is Scar, my brother. He’s Julia’s boyfriend. They’ve known each other, and Brad, since high school.”
Axel went on to give Scar the details of Brad’s attack, and I stepped out into the hallway. I leaned my back against the wall and slid my body down to the floor. Lowering my head onto my knees, I wondered whether Brad knew Axel as well as he had known Scar. What if they were friends?
Had I dragged all these people back into the life of crazy Brad Watson? Everything was happening so quickly, and my desolate life was once again turning into one big mess. Worst of all, I was afraid I had no control over any of it. The desperation around my heart had eased the moment I found Axel. I brought my hand to my chest, where the pain of my past was revived; yet it didn’t throb as much as it used to.It had been a while since I’d had someone I could depend on. Axel showed up when I needed him without question, like a hero from a movie. Trevor was right: Axel was a true hero.
“This isn’t your fault,” I heard from above me, and I lifted my head.
Axel crouched down and took my hands into his. Our gazes connected in the special way they had that night in the hallway. His touch was almost shocking, yet comforting at the same time. My heart began drumming with happiness.
“Please tell me you knew Brad before you met me. Please tell me I didn’t drag you into his life.”
“I did.” Axel’s voice soothed my worries. “And you didn’t drag me into anything. He’s part owner at Scar’s strip club, Hounds. In fact, he’s the one who’s taking care of the business downstairs.”
“What?”
“He never told you?”
“No, of course not. I mean, he’s been going out a lot, and I… well, I never questioned him.”
“Why not?”
“Because.”
“That’s not a good answer.”
“Well, you said it yourself: Bradley lives by his own rules.”
“Then why would a woman like you choose a man like him?”
I shook my head. How could I tell him that Brad was the penance I had to pay for my mistakes? Axel let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his thumb along my hand. “I’m sorry for losing it in the car, Trish. I’m not that man anymore. I should have kept my anger under control.”
“You did nothing wrong. You were right to get upset. Brad is a worthless piece of shit.”
“Then why would someone like you be with him? Help me understand, Trish. Please?”
“I… I can’t.” My body was beginning to shake, my arms prickled, and my hands clenched into fists. I felt him trying to unwind my grip, smoothing his fingers over mine, slowing the time for us both, and the heat languorously uncoiled my digits, right until I could press my full palm to his. And all the while
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