Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
She swallows, and there’s a flash of fear in her eyes that makes me want to murder whoever put it there. I have a feeling I know exactly who it was.
“Am…am I in danger, Axel?” she asks, her voice quiet but strong.
I drop my hand from her face and wrap my arm around her waist instead, tugging her to my side. She comes willingly, melting against me like we’ve known each other our whole lives and not just half a damn day. It’s the most incredible feeling, and one I’m quickly becoming addicted to.
“You will never be in danger again as long as I live,” I promise her, despite the stakes stacked up against the statement. “You have me and my entire team protecting you now, Ava. I will stop at nothing to keep you safe, the way you always should have been.”
“You mean that?” she asks, a little crease between her brows appearing as she frowns. “Axel, you only just met me. Why would you risk yourself or your men to protect me? Is it because I’m payment?”
I need to banish that thought from her head immediately. “I will never think of you as payment, angel. You should never have been used like that, and I vow to you that you never will be again. I am protecting you because from the second I laid eyes on you, I knew you were mine. And I protect what’s mine with everything I have.”
That seems to squash any of her doubts, at least for now, and she nods, relaxing a little more. “Okay,” she whispers. “If I can help, though, I want to. Not to fight or anything, but I’ve been in this world my whole life. Maybe I know something that can be useful?”
I consider it for a moment. On one hand, I hate to get her involved at all, since she’s already been through more than enough. On the other hand, she’s the daughter of the man who’s just started a war in this city, and if she can tell us anything, it could help us massively. It could help me help her massively.
Mind made up, I nod to her. After pausing to get her dressed in some sweatpants that hang off her comically so she’s not half naked, I lead her downstairs to the kitchen, calling for Nick and Jace to join us on the way.
While we wait for them to join us, I make Ava coffee as she perches on a barstool at the breakfast bar, her eyes wide as she takes in her surroundings. Once the others arrive, I lean against the counter across from her, keeping my voice soft, and start to ask questions.
She knows more than she even realizes is useful, and an hour later, we have the location of multiple of her father’s hideouts, inside information on his team, and details about a deal that went bad that landed him in a ton of debt—which is why he now owes so many other gangs money.
Ava looks exhausted by the end, and I ignore Nick and Jace’s conversation and questions to me as I round the counter, heading straight for my girl. I tilt her chin up to look at me, stroking my thumb over her cheek gently.
“You did so fucking good, angel,” I praise her in a soft voice, loving the way her eyes light up at my words. I can’t help but dip my head to kiss her, murmuring against her lips, “I’m so damn proud of you.”
She kisses me back, and I lose myself in her, tasting sugary coffee and something uniquely Ava on her lips. It’s addictive. I never want to stop. She’s too damn good for someone like me, but I am never letting her go.
When I pull away, I realize my men have gone totally silent. Ava’s cheeks bloom bright red, and my eyes snap to the side to find Nick and Jace openly staring at us.
“They’re staring,” she whispers, trying to hide her face behind her hands.
I hold my men’s eyes as I pull her hands away, silently instructing her to stand her ground. I make sure Nick and Jace’s attention is on us when I speak to Ava.
“Let them stare,” I say, loud enough for them all to hear. “Head up, Ava. Let them see their new queen.”
4
AVA
One week spent in the home of one of the most feared gang leaders in the country has been like heaven. The statement sounds utterly insane even in my own mind, and I can’t help but giggle at myself. But it’s true. Axel Corbyn, leader of The Crows, has taken care of me so carefully with the same hands I know he has used to end other people’s lives. That should terrify me, but I don’t feel anything except totally safe with him. Something about him calls to me, soothes me, makes me feel like this is exactly where I was always meant to be.