Page 15 of Wild Card (Foster Bro Code #2)

Axel flinched at the word, and I couldn’t help but think of that little boy so afraid of being treated like these unwanted strays.

I almost regretted bringing him in today without learning more first.

Sherlee led us back to the lobby. “Axel, if you want to see the cats before you go, I can let you into the playroom?”

He brightened. “I’d love to see how they’re doing.”

She led us to the other side of the lobby, using her key card to open a room filled with yowling cats, each set up in its own kennel-style space.

“You can take them out one at a time,” she said.

Axel immediately approached a gray tabby, stroking its paws through the wire cage, then unhooking the door.

The cat hopped out and strolled around the room.

He sat down, cross-legged, and waited patiently for it to come near.

He never forced an interaction, but eventually, the cat rubbed up against his leg.

“He’s good with them,” Sherlee said to me. “Is that junkyard safe for the animals?”

“I haven’t examined the place, but they all looked healthy and happy to me,” I said.

“Well, I suppose they’re getting the ideal owner in the bargain.”

I glanced at her, surprised. “Ideal?”

“That man is in love with dogs and cats,” she said. “They’re all blessed to have him in their corner.”

“I guess so.” I nudged Sherlee. “Thanks for humoring me today. I wish there was more we could do.”

She hummed. “It’s not easy being in this business. Funding is always too tight. The needs always outweigh the resources, if I’m honest. But at night, I go home and I sleep good. I know that I’ve done my part, you know? I’m betting it’s the same for that man over there.”

“Maybe…”

“You could always adopt and sleep a little better too,” she suggested, tone cagey.

I chuckled. “Sorry, I work too many hours. I’ve got a bird at home, and that’s about all I can handle.”

“Fair enough,” she said, patting me on the arm. “You stay as long as you want. Just put the cats back in their enclosures before you let yourself out.”

“Will do.”

Axel loved on the gray tabby, then returned it and took out a midnight-black kitten that mewled. He motioned me over, and I tentatively approached.

He grasped my hand, guiding me into a light stroke between the kitten’s ears. “There you go. Those big hands don’t have to be rough.”

I shot him a look, and he grinned unrepentantly as he handed off the kitten to fetch another cat.

For the next hour, Axel showered those animals with enough affection to make me a little jealous. Finally, once every cat had gotten some playtime, he turned to me.

“Thanks for bringing me today. I might have to talk my brothers into adopting.”

“No problem.” I opened the heavy metal door to head back into the lobby. “I kind of feel like we’re right back where we started, though.”

“Maybe, but it was enlightening. I wish the shelter had more support,” he said. “But I’m really glad I got to meet Sherlee. It makes me feel better to know that she cares as much as I do.”

“Careful, Ax, or you’ll lose your badass cred,” I said. “You’re just a soft, gooey mess inside, aren’t you?”

“Tell anyone, and I’ll gut you.”

My mouth dropped open as he strode past me to the doors. I caught up with him on the steps outside. “You really think it’s wise to threaten a law enforcement officer?”

“You’re off duty, aren’t you? Seems like I’m just threatening a guy.”

“Still illegal,” I grumbled.

He shoved my shoulder, making me stagger a step to the right. “Lighten up, Dalton. You know I’m not actually a murderer.”

“What a relief,” I said dryly. “He draws the line somewhere.”

Axel laughed. “Shut up and take me home.”

The words rekindled the ember of heat inside me.

I couldn’t help but remember what had gone down the last time I was at Axel’s place.

As wrong as it had been, with him in cuffs and all, I couldn’t get his hot mouth or that damn cock piercing out of my head.

I jerked off to the memories every night, even while swearing to myself I could never go there again.

But I wanted to.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do,” Axel continued, oblivious to my internal lust spiral. “And it’s past time for Matteo to clock out.”

“Who is Matteo, anyway?” I asked, locking on to the only detail that mattered to me. The man was model-gorgeous, and Axel had leaned in awfully close when he spoke to him right before we left.

“He works for us,” Axel said as we got into my car. “Why?”

“No reason.”

His eyes narrowed as he reached for his seat belt. “He’s not single, so don’t waste your time hitting on him.”

I shot him a glance. “The thought never crossed my mind.”

But Axel getting a little jealous was all the reassurance that I needed. He wasn’t into Matteo. He was too worried about Matteo interesting me.

None of which helped me forget about the sexy man in my passenger seat, who I absolutely should not hook up with again.

Fuck me, but I was screwed, wasn’t I?

Axel was nowhere near out of my system, and despite what he’d said after our first hookup, I didn’t think I was out of his either.

But us together? That had disaster written all over it.