Page 9 of Axel (Riders of Retribution #1)

Axel

As Hazel shoved her feet into her shoes, I made a quick call to our Sergeant at Arms, Blade, to tell him I needed assistance at her address.

Before he could ask any questions, I hung up.

In the same way that Hazel’s going to tell me everything once we get this mess cleaned up, I’m going to do the same with my MC.

Right now, we don’t have the time for that. Whatever shit my angel is mixed up in is serious, and there’s a good chance her dad’s in trouble. I can’t let anything happen to her or the people she loves.

I ride as fast as I dare with Hazel behind me. She presses against my back, almost as though she’s urging me to go faster. This girl’s spark is admirable, and I’m surprised I found someone that’s able to keep up with me. Most women balk once my bike reaches the speed limit.

As I eat up the pavement, my adrenaline pumps.

It’s been a long time since the Riders of Retribution have gone head to head with the Apex Runners.

While I’m not hoping for an all-out brawl, I can’t help but think that if there is one, we’ll be able to whip them into shame.

Our rival MC has been getting far too comfortable with their morally questionable practices.

I’ve heard whispers of a trafficking operation, and these guys would do well to have a little bit of fear moving forward.

By a lucky stroke of timing, we run into a group of members from the Riders of Retribution heading toward Hazel’s place. They all raise their fists when they see me, a show of their solidarity. No matter what happens, we’re all in this together. We’re family, and they have my back.

I take my customary place at the rear, fulfilling my duty as tail gunner on what is without a doubt the most important operation I’ve been a part of. For Hazel, I’d burn the entire world down. I’m fortunate enough to have a family of badass bikers who are willing to help me do it.

Before we even get to the house Hazel shares with her father, the place where I first saw her, I spot a group of motorcycles gathered in her driveway. The view of her front door is blocked by a large, black, windowless van. I have to assume that that’s where our rival crew is currently gathered.

I’m sure the roar of our bikes alerts The Apex Runners of our arrival, but that’s good.

That’s what we want. We might be a group of hard-asses who engage in some shady shit, but we’re not the kind to sneak up on someone.

Sure, we’ll ambush them, and we’re willing to make concessions if civilians might be in the line of fire, but with situations like this, we’re going in with guns blazing and bikes screaming.

We come to a screeching stop in Hazel’s front yard. The first members of our club to arrive hop off their bikes and pull their weapons, but they don’t shoot. In return, they aren’t shot. When I arrive, bringing up the rear, I see why the volley hasn’t started.

There are two men from the Apex Runners standing guard at Hazel’s front door.

They have their own weapons pulled, but they’re smart enough not to start a fight where they’re outnumbered.

I know there are more of them inside, though.

There are at least six bikes parked at the end of the driveway, and god knows how many more are piled into that van.

Hazel hops off first, and I have to grab her before she storms up to the door.

She looks at me with fire in her eyes, and I feel myself falling in love with this woman.

I would lay down my life for my crew, and I love the fact that she’s willing to do the same for her father.

However, I will be damned if she’s shot.

She’s the only one here who isn’t armed, but I wouldn’t put it past The Apex Runners to take advantage of that fact. My life’s purpose is keeping her safe.

“You need to stay back,” I tell her, keeping my voice low and my eyes on the guards. Our own members are looking at me, waiting for their instructions.

“Axel, I–”

“Hazel, I know. This is your problem,” I say, watching as her mouth clamps shut. Looks like I hit the nail on the head. “I know they’re here for you. Isn’t that what your dad said? But we're not just going to hand you over.”

“I won’t let you fight my battles for me!”

“I’m not asking your permission” I retort, squeezing her bicep as I give her a smirk. “But I’m going to do it anyway. So, please. Stay back.”

Her jaw works as she processes her anger at being told what to do.

After a beat, she nods. I lean forward, pressing my lips to hers before pulling away.

I say, “You’re my girl, angel. Which means the Riders of Retribution are your family now.

Your problems are our problems, and we going to fix this. ”

Then, without giving her a chance to respond, I march toward the front door, a slight limp in my gait from where one of these bastards shot me yesterday. Members of my MC fall in line behind me, ready to follow my lead. We make an intimidating formation as we approach the guards.

“I suggest you boys get out of here,” one of them says as we continue to move forward. He aims his gun right at my chest. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“You’re wrong about that,” I reply, walking right up the stairs, unbothered by his threats. This idiot doesn’t even have his finger on the trigger. He’s not going to shoot me. “This actually does concern us.”

“We’re here to settle a debt,” the other man replies. At least he’s holding his gun like he actually plans on shooting someone. “I’m sure you fellas understand.”

I might not have the whole story from Hazel yet, but I’m not stupid. The debt they’re talking about has to be her father’s. She’s probably doing something to help pay it off, and if I had to guess, they decided whatever they agreed upon isn’t enough.

It’s the kind of thing I’d expect from these slime-balls.

“From what I can tell, your debt is more than settled,” I say, because regardless of if they’ve recouped what they’re owed monetarily, after today, Hazel and her father don’t owe them shit.

“I don’t think that’s for you to decide,” the first man says, finally moving his finger to the trigger.

That’s more like it. I was worried I was dealing with a coward. Still, I’m not going to let any of these guys have the satisfaction of putting another bullet in me.

With a smile on my face, I smack my gun against his face, sending him to the ground. His buddy starts to move, but he’s too slow. Another member of the Riders of Retribution jumps in, knocking his weapon from his hand. It discharges as it hits the ground, and that’s when all hell breaks loose.