Page 61 of Axel (Belles & Bratva Beasts #2)

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

RUBY

“So, like,” I whisper. “How’s Roman?”

The other queens gather around the bar across the room in my hotel suite at The Mercier. They’re not listening.

I’ve been spoiled by their attention and my sexy lilac Chanel tweed bustier top, matching jacket, and mini skirt. My top lip still stings a bit from the diamond The Queen gave me for my new Monroe piercing, too.

But nothing can distract me from wanting this intel.

Okay, this tea.

I’m dying to know. “Is he more than your captive now?”

Nadine cuts her eyes at me before slicing her gaze toward the others.

Vale has them laughing over champagne and the new prostate massagers she brought them from Delta’s as gifts.

And I don’t mean to pry, but I worship my future mother-in-law. I worry she has no one else to talk to.

“I’ve enjoyed many subs.” Her voice is hushed. “But I’ve never felt this before.”

“Felt what?” I whisper back. “Love?”

“No, I’ve felt love. Love saved my life. It saved my sons. And after Maxim, I swore I’d never love again, but…”

She trails off, trying not to wring her hands dripping with royal jewels.

“But what?” I lean toward her. “I promise I won’t tell. But every woman needs another to talk to. I have the queens, you, and my sisters, but who can you talk to about him? I swear I won’t judge.”

She sighs, “What can a man his age see in a woman like me?”

I jolt back, shocked. “You can’t be serious. You’re the hottest woman I’ve ever seen. And it really pisses off Axel when I tell him that.”

She chuckles.

“And Roman’s no boy,” I whisper. “He’s a very grown man. It’s obvious he wants you. Like…” I gesture with my hands, approximating his length. “Like really big and obvious how much he wants you. So why not?”

“Because I’m covered in scars,” she shares, and it hits my heart.

Just like Axel. “I hate that my sons saw them when they were boys. Poor Jace. They made him cry. And Axel? He knifed a wall, over and over, after he saw them. My scars are horrific, and I hide them because I hide so much more inside. And if I ever let myself be with…”

She glances, making sure we’re still not overheard.

“If I let myself be with Roman,” she whispers, “he’ll see them. The ones on my body and the ones on my heart. I can’t hide them.”

I reach for her hand. “I feel like Roman was a gift. To Axel, so he could find out about Lev. And to you, so you can stay safe from your ex-husband. If any man can understand the scars Ruslan gave you, it’s Roman.

I don’t think he only came searching for Axel. I think Roman was meant to find you . ”

Her blue eyes go from soft to a smirk that plays with her lush lips.

God, I see where Axel gets that look from.

“I’m sure my sons would be so pleased.” Nadine chuckles low. “Their mother, a dominatrix and a cougar to a man who’s their age?”

She tosses her chin up, laughing.

“A cougar?” I shake my head. “No, my queen. You’re a lioness.”

She winks back, squeezing my hand. “It takes one to love one. So, thank you for loving my son. I know it’s not easy. I know he’s not perfect. But no woman has ever had his heart like you, so thank you for guarding it like a lioness, too.”

“I promise, I will.”

“I know. Mess with one of us and you’ll kiss the business end of a pistol.”

A knock raps on the door.

“It’s time!” Wren claps.

“And that’s my cue.”

The Queen stands as Zar lets Axel into the suite.

And I don’t care how many times I’ve seen that man in a black suit, a white unbuttoned, starched shirt, shiny black shoes, and sexy bling; he’s never looked hotter than he does tonight.

It’s his eyes when they see me wearing purple. When they spot my new Monroe piercing, marking me as a queen. His queen. They’re hungry, hunting, chasing, and claiming.

Me.

On sight.

There’s a predator in his glare, and I press my bare thighs together, the tightening tingle in my core sudden and intense.

God, what does he have planned for me tonight?

“My Queen.” Axel kisses his mother’s cheeks .

“My son.” She gently grabs his bearded chin, warning, “ Don’t go crazy with your new queen.”

It’s cute. If anyone else were to put a hand on Axel like that, they’d lose it.

But his mom? He only smiles back with respect, teasing, “But she likes it when I go crazy with her.”

He winks at me, and Nadine swats his arm before raising hers. “My queens, give me hugs. I have other places to be.”

When it’s my turn for her hug, I whisper, “Make him kneel for it.”

She laughs, and after she leaves, Axel asks, “What was that about?”

I arch a brow. “You really want me to tell you?”

He searches my mischievous eyes. “Will it shrivel my dick?”

I nod.

“Jesus fuck,” he huffs, chuckling. “Why did I ask?”

We wait an hour for the others to leave and join their kings in the throne room at Delta’s.

While I sip sparkling cider and Axel sips chilled vodka, he glances around.

“I have a crazy idea we’re going to do.”

“Oh.” I laugh. “Thanks for considering my opinion.”

“You’ll agree because it’s smart. Here.” He gestures to the four-bedroom penthouse, which boasts a terrace view overlooking the city. “Let’s live here while you’re pregnant and we have our babies.”

“What? At The Mercier?” I shake my head. “No. I’m not taking my brother-in-law’s money. Never have. Never will. ”

“We won’t. I’ll pay him.”

“Exactly. You’ll pay him.”

“Wildfire, my millions are yours. That’s marriage. I’ve already signed it over to you.”

I blink.

“Think like a queen, not a stubborn sister,” he says.

“Between Luca’s security and mine, this is the safest place we can be.

You’d be surrounded by family. Your sister, Scarlett, and her new baby.

And Zar has a suite here as well. We can outfit this penthouse to ensure your safety.

It has no stairs. We’ll install plush carpets.

Buy new soft furniture. Help can be seconds away and?—”

“But your father, Axel. I won’t expose my family to him.”

In three steps, he’s pulling me into a hug. “I’m sorry, but they’re already exposed. Just as easily as Katya found me, my father has found you, too. That means he knows about your sisters. About all of us.”

“Why hasn’t he done anything? Like a high noon, Bratva shootout?”

“I don’t know. But I know this hotel is a fortress.”

“What will we tell Luca? And Scarlett?”

“Like they don’t have their guesses about me and wouldn’t want you and our babies to be safe?”

I grin. “So impatient to knock me up, and we’re not official yet.” He lifts my hand with the rare gem sparkling on my wedding finger. “Okay, so I have a ring, but I’m not Ruby King yet.”

“Fuck,” he sighs into a growl. “Fuck, Wildfire, if you take my name and my heart? You better let me do everything I can to protect you and our family.”

“Sparky, too. And a kitten,” I whisper before his kiss.

As always, Axel’s kiss quickly burns with passion, seeking more from me. He’s getting hard and hungry, but I rasp, “We’re going to be late. ”

“Tell me your boundaries tonight.”

“What are yours?”

“No, my queen.” He caresses my neck. “This is your initiation. I honor you tonight. Tell me what you want and don’t want.”

“You know I want you, and I want Grant to make it official. To be my second king. What else is there?”

He licks his lips.

Oh, my god, there’s that look in his eyes.

I see why lions are his family crest. His symbol. Axel’s an apex predator at the top of the food chain, and I’m his meal.

“I can do so much with you tonight,” he warns, squeezing my throat. “And after everything lately, I will. You’ve done so much for us; I’ll give you the initiation you deserve.”

His erection presses against my belly, clearly aroused by his plan.

And my nipples harden.

Wet heat rushes my core, spilling to my sex, when I ask, “What are you going to do to me?”

“Me?” He smirks. “You mean me and the kings.”