Two

A xel and Kane agreed—it had to be a surprise. Otherwise… it would've taken a crowbar and crane to get the men out of the house and into the car. Even then, it was unlikely they could have budged the two gangsters. Planning a surprise like this was precarious at best. Insisting the men would have fun was more wishful thinking than anything else.

Clint is going to kick your ass.

Probably, but the risk was worth it. At least, that's how Axel felt now. Later… he might have a change of heart. His charm may not get him out of the doghouse on this one.

Clint shifted in the passenger seat, his brow cinched and scrunched low above tight, narrowed jade eyes that stared forward. The cowboy anticipated an unpleasant surprise… nevertheless, he had come along. Begrudgingly , but still, here he was. That bit of reality told Axel all he would ever need to know about how much the man loved him.

The cowboy's hunch wasn't wrong; he wouldn't like the surprise— initially. It was Axel's hope, though, that the men would warm to it once they got over their initial resistance. Granted, it was a slim hope, but he would take his chances.

‘Do you honestly think they will go through with it?' Kane had asked when Axel posed the idea. ‘Because I don't see it happening.'

Truthfully? Axel didn't either. But he and Kane had one advantage; the gangsters would do just about anything to make them happy.

Just about. This could very well be the exception.

Axel reached over and ran his palm along the cowboy's leg, his denim Wranglers stretched taut around his muscular thigh. Clint looked at his hand and then his face. Axel smiled. "I'm going to reward you so hard for this."

"For what?" Clint muttered suspiciously.

"For tonight."

Clint eyed him. "Where the hell are you taking us?"

"You'll see."

The cowboy grunted.

Axel laughed softly and directed the car along the designated route through the city streets. It wouldn't take the men long to figure out where they were headed.

Right on cue, Clint came to attention and his eyes narrowed to slits. "This is the way to the club." He turned to Axel with scrutiny. " Why are you taking us to the club?"

"I told you, it's a surprise."

A low guttural sound rumbled in Cochise's chest.

"Stop worrying," Axel chuckled. "Tonight will be fun and painless, I promise."

Painless? Are you sure? You and Kane may be feeling some pain when these guys find out what you're planning.

Again, Axel would take his chances.

They approached the club and Axel parked in a spot near the entrance and turned off the car.

Clint frowned. "Why is the sign off? The club never closes this early."

Axel shrugged and smiled. "It's only closed to the public." He opened his door. "Come on, let's go inside."

The cowboy stayed put. "Why?"

"Come on," Axel laughed. "Trust me, baby."

Kane got out of the back, urging Cochise to follow. The two men took their time exiting the vehicle, both on red alert as they reluctantly trailed their fiancés into the Phoenix Club.