22. I Am His and He Is Mine

Twenty-Two

I Am His and He Is Mine

Elena

A month passes by, and with each day I feel stronger. My anxiety got worse after the incident, to the point where I was curled up in bed with Axle by my side. His presence calmed me. His unwavering support has been my anchor through it all, and I've slowly pieced myself back together.

I've seen the sincerity of his regret, so I forgave him and chose to move on from our past mistakes, this time without any lies or bets. He hurt me, but he's given me my confidence back, and the whole time I've been with him he's protected me and shown me how much he loves me.

The clubhouse is now my home. The men here are my friends... well, most of them. I'm still a little unsure about Bomber and Demon. Grace and Vera have been quieter than usual. I still get the daggers from Grace, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she starts being nasty again. I'm not going to let it get to me, and I know I need to work on sticking up for myself.

I'm on Axle's lap outside. We're sitting at the table and he's laughing and talking to the men. I smile at my red flag of a soul mate. The more I'm with him, the more I feel like myself. It's as if I was comatose and he breathed air into my soul. I've changed since I met him, but in a good way. Our love doesn't make sense, but I love who I am when I'm with him, and that's all that matters.

He gives me an adoring smile, then plants a hard kiss on my lips and hugs me tightly. "I fucking love you. You know that, right?"

"Yes," I reply. I smile. He tells me every day.

"We should get married."

I cough. His words have gotten stuck in my throat. "Did you just propose to me?" I ask in utter shock. There's silence around the table.

He smiles wickedly. "Yeah, why not?"

"You don't mean it," I playfully whack him. "You're just joking."

He shakes his head. His playfulness is gone. "You're my ride or die, babe, and you make me a better person. Just being around you calms my restless soul. I know Victor would kick my ass if I let you slip through my fingers."

"Say yes, darl'. You know you want to," Viper chimes in.

"Oh, what the hell—yes!" I beam and his entire face brightens. His lips meet mine. He kisses me longer this time, but with a gentle tenderness. He's got a smart mouth and he's a little crazy, but I can't imagine my life without him. He showed me how to live. I showed him how to love.

In true Axle fashion, with his recklessness and impulsivity, he demanded we get married within a week. I've managed to organize a wedding in a hall in town. I went with minimal decorations, and a couple of the club members helped to set it up. I purchased my wedding dress online with express delivery. I thought I'd want a big wedding with all the bells and whistles, but I realized that all I want is my friends—who have turned into family—and my sister there. All the rest doesn't matter.

"It's going to be okay tomorrow, babe. Stop stressing," Axle says beside me on the bed.

I scoff. Easy for him to say. "I hope my parents don't ruin it for us." The phone call with them was an absolute nightmare. My mom, as per usual, was overly dramatic and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. My sister called me to say it was just a panic attack.

"Are they even going to come?" he asks.

"Ava said they would, but as you know, I don't want Dad walking me down the aisle. It doesn't seem right if they don't support us as a couple."

Axle's eyes narrow. "As if I'd let them ruin our wedding. I've talked to the men about keeping an eye on them. You've got nothing to worry about."

I breathe a sigh of relief. He's always protecting me. Thinking of my sister warms my chest. "I'm so excited to see my sister."

"Babe," he says mockingly, "you're supposed to be excited to marry me. Anyone would think you're more excited to see her."

I laugh, then wrap my arms around his shoulders and plant a kiss on his lips. "Of course I'm excited to marry you. It's just that I haven't seen or spoken to her properly in a really long time. She got married and eventually we stopped talking." I miss spending time with her so much.

"Fuck her," he says with a bite in his tone. "You deserve better than that."

"Axle," I warn. "She's a kind, loving person. You'll see! I reckon it's her husband that's created the distance between us. When I see them, there's something off about him. I just don't trust him."

Axle nods. "Always trust your instincts."

My eyes narrow. "And talking about my sister..."

He inches back. "Woah, why are you giving me that look?"

"Ava is beautiful. I want none of the MC men trying to hit on her. I know she's married, but I'm sure that wouldn't stop them."

"I can't promise?—"

My eyes narrow further into slits.

He chuckles. "Okay, okay. I'll warn them beforehand."

"Promise me?" I don't need drama. My sister would never cheat, but she's a kind person, and I don't want any of the men trying anything. Her husband is overprotective of her, and I don't want any fights.

Axle puts a cross over his heart. "I promise."

I look away, thinking. "I know it's short notice, but I'd still like someone to walk me down the aisle. Do you think if I ask Cash he'll say yes?"

Axle's eyes bulge. "You sure?"

I nod. "It seems right. The whole time, Cash has encouraged us to be together, and he's your best friend. He's always been friendly and welcoming to me, and I'd like it to be someone who believes in us as a couple and who cares about us." It is my wedding... my time to be happy.

"Cash would be honored." Axle leans over and kisses my cheek. "Thank you for thinking about me too." There's a tenderness in his words, and I know he means it.

He stands and grabs my hand, pulling me to my feet. "Let's go downstairs and have a few drinks to celebrate with the men. Tomorrow you will be Mrs. Elena Evans."

I smile widely at him. I can't wait for tomorrow. When we reach the top of the stairs, I see all the MC men are around the bar. When their eyes catch us, they cheer and clap. Viper's hollering. Heat rises up my neck and to my cheeks, but I'm smiling. As I step down the stairs, I trip on the first one. My stomach plummets, but two hands come around my waist and pull me upright.

"I've got you, babe," Axle says with a wink. He yells out to the crowd, "She's always falling for me."

The men and I start laughing. I swat at the cheeky devil. We've been on a wild ride. After all the love and deceit, the joy and heartbreak, I still love him. I'm happiest and most confident when I'm with him.