Page 38 of Axle's Angel
“Angel’s with Siera and Lala, so she’s okay at the moment. Besides, I wanted to be here when Roman gave you the news.”
I smirk at Roman who growls. “You fuckhead. You want me to tell him now.”
Shrugging, I say, “Better to get it over and done with so that I can get onto my news.”
Maverick’s eyes dart between the two of us. He heaves a heavy sigh. “How is it that two of my most stable men, the ones I’ve never had to rake over the coals have suddenly developed a shit attraction meter? What’s fucking happened now? You’d better not have knocked up one of the whores, Roman. That’s why I spend a fucking fortune on making sure brothers never run out of condoms.”
Laughter belts out from the brothers surrounding us. Roman looks like he’s going to kill me, but I’m the rip the bandaid off type of guy. Best he gets it all out now.
Helpfully, I say, “He’s not knocked anyone up, but you’re all losing a club whore.”
“Fuck’s sake, who and why?” Maverick rubs an aggravated hand over his face.
“Jen. And why? Because she’s not been sleeping with me. I’ve been letting her study in my room, and I paid for her to go to school. She knows she can’t stay if she’s not sleeping with the brothers. Besides, she got a job,” Roman lays it out, taking a long drink of his beer. Jen’s a favourite, so I’m not surprised when the brothers swear and glare at him.
“Jesus Christ, and you had to tell us now?” Maverick waves around at the disgruntled-looking brothers. “Fine, where is she going and who is she working for? You know we all have a soft spot for her, me included.”
“Not far,” Roman smirks, “She’s going to be working for Axle, and she’s staying in North’s place. Axle’s Ol’ Lady is giving North her van to live in for now.”
The brothers aren’t thrilled at the news that they’d be losing Jen. I’m not sure who’s more surprised, Roman, Maverick, or me when out of the blue Carnage asks, “So, do you think she’d be open to dating?”
I’d never seen the man remotely interested in a female, never mind dating.
“Ah, you’d have to check with Jen. But none of you fuckers had better treat her with anything other than respect, or you’ll have me to deal with and possibly the bunch of women that come with Angel,” Roman glares at our brothers but his gaze lingers longest on Carnage, who gives him a nod.
“Here she comes,” I stand as Jen walks towards us, a duffel bag over her shoulder and a smaller one in her hands. Her shoulders are rounded, and she looks despondent.
Angel and Siera must see her at the same time as us, because they walk over to her and say something. Siera pushes a lock of hair behind Jen’s ears and cups her cheek. She’s talking a mile a minute, but they're too far away for us to hear. Jen smiles at her and nods. Angel grabs the smaller bag from her and gives her a sideways hug.
“Well fuck,” Maverick sighs. “You sure did pick a good one Axle. And if Roman ever gets his shit together, we’ll hopefully get another one.”
“I hear you, Pres,” Roman mutters, his eyes never leaving Siera as the three of them walk over to us. By the time they reach us, Jen’s smiling and wiping at her cheeks.
“I’m ready,” Jen tells Roman. Turning to Maverick, her face crumples. “I’m sorry, Pres.”
Maverick stands up from his chair and observes her, hands on his hips for a minute before he sighs and draws her into his arms. Hugging her, he presses his lips to the top of her pink hair. “It’s okay Jen. You’re too good for this life anyway. You need some money?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Okay.” He releases her and steps back. “Besides, I hear you’ll still be working for us. You’ll do great at the garage, sweetheart. Don’t let those men give you a hard time.”
“I won’t,” she agrees with a smile, and this time it lights up her eyes.
Angel wraps her arm around my waist. Lifting my arm, I rest it around her shoulder. Her claim hasn’t gone like I’d expected, but that was okay. We both seemed good at rolling with the punches.
“Come on, sweetheart,” Roman says, taking her bag from Angel. “Let’s get you over to the garage and settled in.”
“I’ll take her,” Carnage interrupts, taking the bag from Roman. Their eyes meet and hold. I’m not sure what passes between the two of them, but Roman nods and allows him to take the bag.
“Are you sure?” Jen asks with surprise. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“Wouldn’t have offered if I hadn’t wanted to,” Carnage tells her, taking hold of her other duffel. He shoulders it. “Come on, my truck’s this way.” He walks away. Jen turns wide eyes at Angel and Siera.
Siera waves her hand, “You heard the man. Best you get going. Angel and I’ll check on you tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Jen whispers before she hurries after Carnage with a wave.
“Well shit,” Roman murmurs. “Now I need to get drunk.”
