Chapter Six

AXYL

She dozed off in the middle of the show, and I found myself watching her sleep like some kind of lovesick fool. This girl is breathtaking, and I can’t believe how blind I was to try and replace her.

The way her lips part slightly, and the gentle snores that escape, only make me love her more. She’s got my heart, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Her father knew all along, which isn’t surprising. He’s known me my whole life and seems to know everything that happens around here.

She’s so resilient, and I want to be there for her, even when she pushes me away. Seeing that she’s deep in sleep, I slip out of bed and head for the shower.

It’s been one hell of a day, and a shower sounds like heaven.

I step into her bathroom and turn on the shower. I let the water heat up, filling the bathroom with steam as I strip off my clothes.

Once in the shower, I stand under the hot water, letting it soothe my tense muscles. I’m going to get that bastard if it’s the last thing I do. I’m going to raise that baby as if it were my own.

I wash up, turn off the water, and dry off. I pull on a pair of shorts before heading downstairs.

“Hey, Ax. How’s she doing?” Westyn asks.

“She’s holding up. She’s asleep now. She wasn’t when I went in, but she needed it. It’s been a hell of a day for her.

“Actually, it’s been a hell of three years for her, but she’s tough and doesn’t let just anyone see her pain.” I reply, grabbing a beer from the fridge.

“She never has. We all know how she is. She’s only really opened up to you, me, Reaper, or Mom.

“It makes me wonder if she knew anything about all this.” He says. “She’s tough as nails, but she can’t do this alone. I’m just worried about her. At least she has you.

“Now that you and Lana are done, you can finally man up and follow your heart for my sister. But if you hurt her, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in you. You may be my best friend, but she’s my little sister.”

“Yeah, we talked about it, and I told her that I claimed her as my Ol’ Lady. Even with everything she’s going through, she’s still got a sharp tongue.” I chuckle.

“Did you expect anything less?” Westyn asks. “Honestly, I know she was falling apart behind that closed door. She won’t let anyone see it. I’m surprised she lets you see her that way.

“Also, I don’t want to hear anything about you and my sister getting it on. That’s just gross! I know you’ll take care of her. That’s the only reason I haven’t shot you for claiming her.”

“She was in the shower when I went in there. She came out, and I was sitting on her bed. We talked, she turned on some DC show, and then she fell asleep.

“I thought being there with her would help her sleep.” Westyn and I turn our heads to see Aliana coming down the stairs.

“You won’t do a damn thing.” She says.

“You’d be surprised what I’d do for you, sis,” Westyn said.

“Thought you were asleep, sweetheart,” I said, pulling her into my lap and kissing her temple. I was hoping she’d sleep longer than a few minutes. I’ve only been down here for about twenty minutes.

Just looking at her, I can tell she’s worn out. The dark circles under her eyes and the fact that she’s about to doze off in my arms again.

“I woke up hungry. The fan wasn’t on, so I couldn’t sleep. I woke up to get something to eat because I was hungry. I couldn’t sleep until you came into the room and when I woke up, you were gone,” she said, snuggling into my chest.

“You said that twice in one sentence. You and your damn fan. You can’t sleep without it on. Doesn’t matter how cold it is, you have to have it on. I’ll get you some leftovers,” Westyn said.

“You okay?” I ask her.

“Yeah. Just a lot has happened, and I want to forget it all, but I can’t. I want it all to go away.

“The only good thing that came out of that whole mess was this little one, and I finally got the guy that I’ve wanted since boys became interesting.” She kisses my chest and I hold her tighter.

I’m glad I was her first, and I’m even more glad that I get to be her last.

“We’re all here to help you through this, babe. Nothing is going to happen to you or our little one,” I said.

“Here brat. I got you some food,” Aliana rolls her eyes at her brother before she sits up in my lap and starts eating.

“So, you okay? I know you’ve probably been asked that a lot by this guy here, but as your brother, I get to ask it as many times as I want. I want you to be okay, and I want to be there to help you out along with everyone else.”

I know Dad is taking this hard. He blames himself. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Mom is banging on your door early in the morning. I’m sure Dad can hold her off tonight, but after that, it’s up in the air.”

“I’m okay, Wes. I’m beat and aching all over, but I’ll survive. Dad shouldn’t feel guilty. I was the one who left. I didn’t tell anyone about Alexander. Only my friend Hannah knew, and she spilled the beans to Mom.”

“Can we change the subject now while I eat?” she asks. “And do me a favor, keep Mom from disturbing me. I need all the sleep I can get.”

We chat as if she hadn’t disappeared four years ago. She talks about college, her degrees, and her future plans. I want her to achieve everything she’s ever dreamed of.

I’ll personally ensure she does. Once she’s done eating, she yawns.

“Time to get you back to bed. Your body needs to heal, and you need rest,” I tell her, lifting her up and heading to her room after bidding goodnight to her brother and the others who’ve gathered around.

Once we’re in her room, I tuck her into bed and slide in behind her, pulling her close to my chest and kissing her shoulder before sleep claims us both.

ALIANA

The sunlight streaming through my window wakes me up. Axyl is still here, his arms wrapped around me. I’m comfortable and don’t want to move, but my bladder has other ideas.

I gently remove Axyl’s arm from my waist and slowly get out of bed, managing to reach the bathroom without waking him up. I take care of my morning routine.

Once I’m done, I start the shower and let the water heat up while I brush my teeth.

My body is in pain, which is to be expected considering everything I’ve been through recently. On the bright side, my face is almost healed.

My split lip is completely healed, and my bruises are just a faint yellow color. Slowly but surely, I’m getting better. My ribs and the bullet and stab wounds will take a while to heal.

The other bruises I have are the same color as the ones on my face, but they’re not fading as quickly as I’d like. I’m repulsed by my appearance. I turn away from the mirror and step into the shower.

The hot water washing over my tense muscles instantly relaxes me. I don’t know how long I stand there under the water, but eventually, I hear the bathroom door open and the shower curtain slide to the side.

I know it’s Axyl just by his scent. His arms wrap around my waist and I lean back into his comforting and safe embrace.

“You have no idea how many times I’ve fantasized about this happening. I’ve been in love with you for so long and I never thought you felt the same.”

“Ali, I’ve loved you since I can remember. I just kept my distance because you're my best friend’s little sister. Then Lana came along, and I settled for her.

“You were always my first choice, I just convinced myself that you were off-limits and, contrary to popular belief, I do value my life and my balls. Let’s not dwell on that now though. We have each other now and that’s all that matters.

“I’ve made it known to the club that you’re mine and I want to know if you want to be my Ol’ Lady. Aliana, that title has always been reserved for you, and nothing, or no one, is going to change that.” He says.

Honestly, I can’t believe he’s saying the words I’ve dreamed of hearing my entire life.

“I’m carrying another man’s child, Ax. I got myself involved in something I shouldn’t have. I should have known he was the rival’s son.

“I was so blinded by what I thought was love that I didn’t notice until it was too late. I’ve always wanted to hear you say those words to me. I’ve always wanted to be with you, and it killed me every fucking time you were with Lana.

“Of course, I want to be your Ol’ Lady. I want you to mean it. My heart can’t take it anymore.

“I’ve been through hell these past three years and I can’t lose the one person, other than my brother, father, and mother, who means the world to me. I want you to understand that I’m damaged and broken.” I tell him.

While we’ve been talking, we’ve managed to clean up and get out of the shower. We’re both dressed and I’m lying in Axyl’s arms on my bed.

“I know what happened has broken you, but we’re all a little broken and damaged. I want to be the one to put those pieces back together. I love you and that baby, I’ll raise it as my own. That bastard doesn’t deserve to be called a father.

“Just believe that I will do everything for you.” I just nod and tell him okay before his lips meet mine in a soft kiss. It’s everything and more than I ever imagined.

It’s even better than when he took the one thing that I can never give to anyone else, not that I wanted anyone else to have it but him. Maybe this is my happily ever after. I finally got the guy that I’ve always wanted.

Now, we just have to tie up a few loose ends.