Page 40 of Filthy Rich Temptation

Deadly, but loyal as hell, thanks to the streets and the scars buried deep. Most of them were there long before I met him, back when he was fifteen. Two years older than me, but it might as well have been a decade for all he’d lived through.

Now he’s as rich and free as I am, but still shackled by everything life and society threw his way. One wrong word, one wrong move – it’s game over.

‘This ain’t you, Tanner.’

No, it isn’t. But it’s what her ex deserves. And it’s what Axel would do. Maybe that’s why his calm pisses me off even more.

I know if I asked, he’d take care of Danny. No questions. No hesitation.

But he won’t endorse me handling it myself. He’d rather my hands stayed clean while he wades through the filth. Maybe it’s guilt. Maybe pride. Whatever the fuck it is, I won’t ask it of him. I won’t let him spill blood for me. Not even Danny’s.

‘So it’s fine for you to let loose on the bastards of this world, but I can’t?’

‘You’re too emotionally invested.’

Emotionally invested?Too right, I am. The thought of that man laying a finger on Sadie – my God, on Lottie. She never said he did, and maybe he didn’t, but…

‘I want him to fucking suffer. For what he did to her. For what he did to Lottie. He hated her, you know. His own kid. Resented her for existing. Who the hell does that?’

Axel’s frame tightens like a bowstring, his eyes turn to ice.Shit.His old man, his mum…

‘Ax—’

‘We’ll get him,’ he cuts in. ‘And when we do, prison won’t save him. A guy like that? Word spreads fast. Inmates don’t take kindly to men who hurt women. Especially not their own kid.’

It should make me feel better.

It doesn’t.

Because I’ve seen her face filled with fear in the daylight. I’ve seen the way she startles at everyday things. I’ve seen how tightly she holds Lottie when she thinks no one’s watching.

I down the rest of my whisky and signal the waitress over. She’s a tall, curvy redhead – just Axel’s type. Something he’s already making clear as she joins us.

I shoot him a warning glare. Taylor would kill him for hitting on her staff.

Not that he cares. He’s already giving her more eye than puss-in-bloody-boots. And she’s lapping it up.

What is it about a tattooed guy with black eyes?

Women lose their shit.

Add in a tortured soul?

Pure catnip.

‘You’re new,’ he drawls out.

‘Well spotted.’ She flips her hair off one shoulder, scarlet-red lips lifting into a sultry smile. ‘Name’s Abi, and you are?’

‘You can call me anything you like…’

She smirks. ‘Careful, or I’ll start calling youTrouble.’

‘Only if you say it like a compliment.’

‘Jesus, Axel,’ I mutter. ‘Taylor will have your balls.’

Abi’s brows lift, amused eyes flicking between us. ‘Taylor?’