Page 143 of Wicked Lord

As we relaxed in the comfy, white leather seats on my family’s jet, drinking champagne and waiting for takeoff, Lorelei grabbed my wrist.

“Axel, maybe we shouldn’t do this.”

My brows lowered. “Whatever Brock has threatened to do, I can handle it.”

“He showed me a video.”

Ice slowly crept down my spine. “Of what?”

Lorelei released my arm and nervously twisted a lock of blond hair as she stared out the window overlooking the runway. “Of the night Peter Dupont died.”

It was barely a whisper, but I heard it loud and clear. Vaughn must have given Brock that video.

A string of curses blasted through my mind. I never should have returned that flash drive to the archives.

“I don’t care what happened,” Lorelei added. “I know it was an accident. I’m only worried he’ll go to the cops.”

Vaughn would be in deep shit if Brock went to the cops. The brotherhood would know he’d gotten the video from a member, and it wouldn’t take long for them to uncover the connection between Brock and our current Domnus.

Vaughn would have warned him against that.

Haversham was only bluffing.

“He won’t go to the cops, Lore. He only wants to scare you.” I downed the rest of my champagne and set it down, averting my gaze to the sleek white and silver interior of the jet. “But Iama killer. Can you really live with that, knowing what I did?”

Her small hand rested on my cheek as she turned my face toward hers. “It was an accident. There’s nothing you can say that would make me believe otherwise.” Her thumb traced the line of my jaw. “No one is perfect, Ax. We all have secrets and darkness. We’re all ashamed of things. But you’re a good person. I know you never meant to hurt that boy. You can’t keep beating yourself up over what happened.”

A lump rose in my throat as I studied her, the girl who stole my heart and showed me what real love was. “Are you sure, Lore? Just say the word, and you can back out of this whole thing. I’ll still protect you from Brock.”

The thought of losing her now gutted me, but I’d understand if she couldn’t handle my past.Icould barely handle it.

Lorelei pressed her lips to mine as the plane began rolling down the runway. “I love every part of you, Ax. The good, the bad, and everything in between. Nothing will ever make me turn away from you. Nothing.”

How the fuck did I get so lucky to accidentally fall in love with her?

“I never want to let you go, Lore.” I nibbled on her bottom lip and sucked it into my mouth, earning a faint moan. “You’re my forever.”

The plane suddenly jerked to a stop, throwing us back into our seats.

“What the hell is happening?” Lorelei peered toward the door of the cockpit as we waited for the captain or one of the staff to emerge. Bright blue and red lights flashed across her face reflecting through the window.

My eyebrows dipped. “Maybe something’s wrong with the plane? Or another one is coming in for an unexpected landing.”

But when I leaned over her and peered out the window, ice infiltrated my bloodstream.

Several cop cars sped down the runway to surround the plane.

“Oh, God, Axel.” The color drained from her cheeks as she pressed her fingertips to her mouth. “Do you think Brock?—”

“Stay here. I’ll handle this.” I gently kissed her temple before unbuckling my seatbelt and standing. “Everything’s fine, baby.”

Lie of the fucking century.

I had the sinking feeling that nothing was fine, and it might never be again.

My pulse hammered as I marched to the door, opened it, and waited for the stairs to extend. As soon as I took one step out, a dozen officers dressed in black, donning Copper Cove Police Department badges, rushed forward with their guns drawn.

“Get on the ground!” One of them yelled. “Get on the ground now! Hands behind your head.”