Page 68 of The Saviors: Part Two

I blow out a breath before I let my temper take over. I get where he’s coming from, but she’s already lost too fucking much, and I’ll be damned if it will happen again. “Then I’ll stay behind to protect it.”

I turn on my heel to leave, and Axel grabs my arm to stop me. “That’s not how this works. I don’t leave people behind. It’s just a house, and we can rebuild.”

I jerk my arm free and whirl around. “It’s not just a house. It’s the first place I’ve ever felt I had a true place in life.” Axel’s eyes widen, and I see the hurt flash across his face. “Youwere my first true feeling of family. This house is my first true feeling ofhome.”

Axel sighs, and I see the thoughts running across his face. “Let me talk to Ari and see what he thinks. No promises, Sean, because if he doesn’t feel safe, I won’t make them. There’s also no way in hell I’m leaving you behind.”

“Thank you.”

“I never realized moving you guys around all the time made you feel that way.”

“It was necessary at the time. We get that and don’t blame you at all. That’s not why I said that. I just needed you to understand that this house is important to me too. I’m sure if you ask Kai, he’ll say the same. Never doubt yourself as our leader, Axel.”

Axel blows out a breath and jerks me into a hug. “I do doubt myself sometimes.”

I squeeze him to me. “Don’t. I’d never follow anyone else the way that I’ve followed you.”

Something about my relationship with Axel feels different now. I know it’s probably because of the step we took last night. Sex has always been just about the release to me until Cole. My relationship with him was based purely on sex, and I made him think that’s how I felt because I didn’t want to put him in a difficult position. The truth is, I wanted more from him, but I knew there was someone still holding him back. But now that someone is in a relationship with all of us, I owe it to myself and him to be honest. Chelsea truly opened the door to how much better sex can be when you love someone, and I love every single one of them in my own way.

“We need to get moving. Ari should be here soon.” He pulls back and kisses my forehead. “Will you make sure Chels is packed?”

“I will.” I walk from the room, and just because I can’t stop myself, “Thanks, Daddy Axel!”

“Goddamnit, Sean!”

Laughing, I walk into the room with Chelsea, and Kai is already carrying the bags to the door. “Is that everything you need?” I ask her.

“Yeah. I didn’t want to pack too much. What was your idea for the house?”

“I’ll let you know when Ari gets here.”

I help Kai carry the bags downstairs, and Ari shows up five minutes later. I lay out what I have in mind, and he shrugs. “I don’t see an issue with it. We’ll set up twenty-four-hour surveillance like we did at the safe house. Moving Ace might be an issue, but we can figure it out.”

Chelsea hugs me and then wraps her arms around Ari’s waist. He’s stunned for a second, then returns it. “Thank you. I know it’s stupid to be worried about a house, but it’s mine.”

“No, I get it. We’ll do everything we can to make sure it’s in one piece when you come back.”

“Ari, get your fucking hands off my woman,” Axel growls walking into the kitchen.

Ari grins and pulls her closer. “She hugged me first.”

Chelsea slaps Ari on the arm and shoves him away with a laugh. “I was showing my gratitude.”

“You can show me gratitude in many ways anytime, Chels.”

“Ari,” Axel barks, and Ari cracks up.

“You’re too damn easy. Anyway, your toys are in the garage, and everything else is set. Are you sure you want to do this in the middle of the day?”

“He’ll expect us to go at night,” Axel answers, still glaring at Ari. Axel wraps his arm around Chelsea’s waist and pulls her into his chest, further away from Ari. I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. “We need every element of surprise that we can get.”

“Whatever works. I told Chels that I’d look at a way to move in here. We got it covered.”

“Thanks. Now, get the fuck out of here.”

“Axel!” Chelsea laughs.

Ari goes to the door and turns around before he walks through. “If you want to add someone else to your roster, let me know. I’m game.”