Page 47 of Freeing Denver

Her black hair is pulled up into a ponytail, dark eyes landing on me. Her cheeks are pink, as if she’s been rushing. “Hey. Did I miss saying goodbye?”

I nod slowly. “Yeah, they left not long ago.”

She sighs. “Okay. I guess I can video call them later.” Her gaze shifts to Axel, who has his fork paused by his lips. She smiles brightly. “Hi.”

He stares at her, and I frown, elbowing him. “Swallow your noodles, you weirdo. Alison, this is my?—”

“Stepson?” Alistair offers, looking amused.

I glare at him. “More like a brother.”

“I dunno, being a wicked stepmother seems suited to you,” he mumbles, and I throw my napkin at him. Axel still hasn’t spoken, and I elbow him again. “Say hello.”

He does, almost choking, and hits his chest. “Hi. I’m AJ. Axel, not AJ. I was AJ, but now I’m Axel. I was Axel first, though.” He suddenly bolts to his feet, holding out his hand.

Taf looks wildly amused, and JJ grins.

Alison looks at Axel like he has two heads but steps into the room and shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Alison.”

“Alison,” Axel says quietly, and I note him gently squeezing her hand.

She flushes. “Yes.”

“Ronan McEwan’ssister,” Alistair says pointedly, but that clearly doesn’t deter Axel, because he doesn’t move his attention from Alison’s face.

Alistair frowns. “Your stepson has a death wish.”

“Youhave a death wish!” I hiss.

“A word of advice, Axel. You touch Ronan’s sister, and he’ll find you even down under,” Alistair adds.

Alison slaps him up the back of the head with her free hand, because Axel still hasn’t released her, but she doesn’t seem to mind at all. “You’re from Australia?” He nods. “That’s cool. Are you finished eating?” He nods again, even though his plate is half full. “Wanna go for a walk?”

Axel almost falls over his chair to follow her, and we watch them go.

JJ sighs. “Ronan will kill us all.”

“Yep,” Taf says happily. “I can’t wait.”

As JJ and Taf take their plates to the kitchen, Alistair and I are left alone. He finishes his water and places the glass down. “There is another answer to this war, y’know.” He pins me with his usual disinterested stare. “Go back to Ranger.”

I stare at him. “What?”

“He’s fighting for you.” He stands. “You could do us all a favor and give him what he wants.”

He leaves.

It’s hard to argue with Alistair when he’s right. If it weren’t for me, none of this would be happening. If I hadn’t cut off Spider’s son’s finger, he wouldn’t have come for me, and Colt wouldn’t have saved me that night. If I hadn’t left Ranger, Colt and I would have remained enemies. This is my fault. All of it.

“We lost the Morellis.”

I lift my head to look at Colt. He’s pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Massimo is with Ranger?”

Colt nods. “He is.”

Fuck. That’s a huge amount of support to lose. “Could we talk to Sabina?” Massimo’s sister is far easier to deal with. I’ve spoken to her a few times over the phone, and though she didn’t say the words, I could tell she’s eager to push Massimo out. He’s making mistakes, huge ones, and it’s costing them money and reputation. That’s likely why he’s sided with Ranger. He’ll have promised things that he won’t accept from us.