Page 90 of Double Standards

As I take the tray from him, his gaze lingers on me a moment too long. “You look beautiful, by the way,” he says, voice lower now, the edges rougher. Before I can even thank him, he leans in and kisses me. Just a gentle press of lips, but it robs me of my breath. A quiet, involuntary sound escapes from the back of my throat, betraying how much I feel it.

He pulls away, and for a moment, all I want is for him to kiss me again.

But Axel doesn’t push. He gives me space even when I can tell he’s holding himself back. There’s something reverent in the way he touches me, like he’s learned restraint the hard way and doesn’t want to ruin this—us.

We start walking through the slush-lined sidewalk, his hand warm and firm in mine. I stay close to his side, the cocoa tray tucked against my chest. The crisp air nips at my cheeks and nose, but I hardly notice. I’m too aware of the man beside me and the way his presence seems to wrap around me like a shield.

“What’s on your mind?” he asks gently, his voice low and cautious, as if he doesn’t want to startle whatever thoughts I’m trying to organize.

I glance up at him, forcing a weak smile. “So many things.”

“Care to share?”

He’s been patient with me. More than anyone else ever has. And somehow, that makes it harder—not easier—to open up. But I want to. I really do. He deserves that from me.

Letting out a slow breath, I slide my arm free from his. The sudden lack of warmth makes me shiver. “Coop and I, we broke up.”

He tenses for a moment, his gaze focused ahead of us. For a moment, I don’t think he’s going to say anything, but he surprises me. “I know.”

Okay, that didn’t really surprise me at all. Of course Axel knows about Cooper and I, I just don’t know how. I’m not sure I even want to know.

“Anything else?” he presses.

I guess I should go with the next thing that’s been playing on my mind. Something I probably should have told me straight away.

“Daniels said something to me after your trial.”

He stops mid-pace, his whole body going rigid. I stop beside him.

I hesitate before looking at him. “He said you’d get your comeuppance.”

I take a step back, expecting that familiar flash of fury, the kind I’ve seen when someone crosses a line. But his expression stays composed, controlled—like he’s putting me above whatever pride got bruised by Daniels’ threat.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, pulling me back into his side. There’s a tightness in his voice, but it’s tempered.

“I don’t know,” I murmur. “I didn’t think it was significant.”

Even as I say the words, I realize I was lying to myself. Ididthink it was significant. I just didn’t want to believe it happened. That the possibility of Daniels’ doing anything to harm Axel would actually be a reality.

“So why are you thinking about it now?” he asks. There’s no judgment in his tone, just a quiet curiosity that makes me ache.

He’s got me there.But there’s a bigger question that needs answering.

“Why does the D.A. want your head so badly?” I eventually ask. “I mean, he falsified evidence to put you away…”

Axel’s silence says more than words. I know he’s not surprised. But I can’t help the confusion twisting inside me. Why him? Why this relentless obsession?

“Something about cleaning up the city,” he finally says. “It’sno secret he wants all of our heads. He’s just doing it one at a time.”

We reach a bench near the edge of a frozen pond. The ice glitters under the soft light, and in the distance, a few ducks linger at the edge of the unfrozen water. Axel gestures to the seat, and I follow him.

“I don’t get it. I mean… Ido—no offense,” I add quickly, cheeks heating.

He chuckles under his breath, and I can feel his eyes on me even as I look away.

“But why not just find something on all of you and?—”

“—And take us all down?” he finishes for me, reading the direction of my thoughts too easily. “I think that’s easier said than done.”