Axe’s Fall(90)
The boy looked up at Baylee, then back at Axe. “Is this your girlfriend Mom and Dad keep talking about?”
Red brushstrokes painted her cheeks, and she swatted Axe’s arm when he laughed deeply.
“Yeah. Jack, this is Baylee. Baylee, this is Jack. He’s Chas’s son.”
“Nice meeting you,” Baylee greeted before following the two.
After reuniting Jack with his parents, Axe grasped her hand and led her over to the Harleys on display.
“I didn’t know Addie and Chas had a son,” she said.
“They have a daughter together. Jack is Chas’s son from another marriage. His ex was such a bitch. Since they got hitched, Addie’s been in the process of adopting Jack.”
“What about his mom?”
“She doesn’t give a shit. She signed the papers. Not sure how it works. Cara’s helping them with that.”
“Addie seems like she’d be great mom.”
“She is. Jack’s crazy about her. You want kids?”
Baylee sputtered then coughed. “Where did that come from?”
“We were talking ‘bout kids. Just wondered. Do you?”
“Someday, it’d be nice, but I’m not even thinking about it now.” She swallowed. “How about you?”
“Yeah. Someday.”
They stopped in front of fifty Harleys gleaming in the sun. As Axe whistled and admired them, Baylee mulled over Axe’s question. Why had he asked if she wanted kids? Did he plan on spending his future with her? Even though he’d told her she was his forever, the fact remained that she lived in Denver and he lived there. How were they ever going to resolve that problem?
Axe spoke with a few guys in leather, and Baylee noticed several women in short skirts and shorts wearing halter tops stood at a distance, giggling and pointing at Axe. Soon, a few of them came over and spoke with them, a blonde one constantly touching his upper arm. Clenching her teeth, Baylee’s hands curled into fists as she watched Axe laugh and talk with the women.
“Hi, Baylee. I thought I might run into you” Palmer greeted.
“Palmer. How are you?”
“Good.” His gaze slowly moved up her body. “You’re looking hot.”
Ignoring his comment, she pulled down her crop top in a vain effort to cover her belly button.
“What’ve you been up to? You haven’t returned any of my phone calls,” he said.
“Busy with work.”
“And with me.” Axe’s arm hooked around her waist.
A dark scowl replaced Palmer’s smile. “I wasn’t talking to you,” he spat.
Axe walked away with Baylee close to his side.
“You have a real attitude problem, jerk,” Palmer called after him.
Axe continued walking, but Baylee winced as his hand tightened around hers. Turning sideways, she noticed his jaw was clenched.
“I can’t believe my dad married your trashy mom.”
Before Baylee could think, Axe dropped her hand and marched toward Palmer.
“Fuck off. Stay away from my woman,” Axe hissed.
Palmer snorted. “You wish she were your woman. She’s not the type of woman who goes out with trash.”
Baylee blanched, the tension around the two men thicker than fog on a rainy day. She spotted Banger, Hawk, and Chas watching them. She moved forward but a hand held her back; looking up, she recognized Jax, relief washing over her. Palmer took a step back and Axe took one forward.
“Aren’t you guys going to stop this?” she asked.
Jax replied, “Axe can take care of himself real good. This isn’t our business.”
Palmer then turned to her and questioned, “Are you this guy’s woman?”
Everything stopped for her. It was like she was looking down on the scene from above: Palmer tight-lipped and staring at her, Axe’s fists clenched with hatred in his eyes.
“Turn the fuck around. We’ve been gunning for this day for a long time.”
Baylee knew who would win this fight. If she didn’t do something, Palmer would leave on a gurney and Axe in a squad car. She couldn’t let it happen.
She ran between the two men.
“Baylee, get the fuck out of the way,” Axe commanded, his voice sharp like a whip.
“No.” Axe’s predatory growl sent shivers down her back, and her pulse pounded in her ears. Sucking in a deep breath, she turned to Palmer. “Yes, I’m Axe’s woman. I love him, and I don’t appreciate you calling him trash. He’s a wonderful man.”
If a pin dropped, she could’ve sworn she’d be able to hear it. Palmer stood before her, lips parted and brows together, as if the reality of her choosing a foul-mouthed, leather-clad outlaw over him was incomprehensible.