Blood Cobras: Axel Sneak Peek

Blood Cobras: Axel Sneak Peek

Axel

I’m not in the business of saving people. More like making them disappear when they’ve wronged my organization. But when a young man stumbled out of an alley and into my arms, everything changes. He won’t tell me what happened, but his face is mottled with bruises, and his eyes are haunted. After spending just one day with him, I realize I’ll do anything to keep him safe. Including tracking down whoever hurt him.

Noah

I can’t believe I escaped one mafia don just to fall into the arms of another. But Axel is different from Luther. Axel is gentle with me. He makes me feel safe and protected. From the moment I meet him outside of that alley, I feel as though I can breathe for the first time in two years. But I know Luther’s not just going to let me go. I was his trophy; he’s going to come after me. How am I supposed to tell Axel that his most dangerous enemy is the one hunting me?

One

Axel

It’s good to be back in Jersey. As much as I like the weather on the west coast, Jersey is my home. It’s also my turf. I own the majority of this city. The only threat is Luther Vanguard, who’s trying to move into Jersey after taking most of Philadelphia. But if he thinks I’m just going to lie down and let him take my city, he’s in for a rude awakening.

Gunner walks silently next to me, the only sound on this empty street are our boots along the pavement. As my second-in-command, Gunner’s the only one I trust enough to leave in charge whenever I have to go take care of business. Normally, he’s the one I send out. But sometimes it’s too personal.

When I tracked down the man who killed my niece three years ago, I wanted to be the one to watch the life leave his eyes.

Three years of watching my sister try to move past her grief. Three years of trying to bottle up my own. Lily had been my sister’s everything. She’d been the only light in my world most days. Vanessa will be glad to know the guy can’t hurt anyone else ever again.

A noise from down the alley to our right pulls me from my morbid thoughts. It’s too dark to see down it, but I hear footsteps. Fast and panicked.

Gunner’s hand lifts just enough to get his hand on the gun at his side. Just as I’m about to do the same, someone emerges from the alley. In the glow from the streetlight, I see the blood on his arms and hands. Torn clothing. A face mottled purple and yellow from bruises both new and old.

He’s young. Maybe in his twenties. His eyes are wide and fearful, and his expression only grows more fearful when his gaze finds us.

I should walk away. Saving people really isn’t my thing. But the guy’s shaking like a small animal in a storm. How am I supposed to just leave him?

I glance toward Gunner and give him a slight nod, telling him not to pull his weapon. To stay here and wait for my instructions.

When I take a step toward the guy, he backs up one instantly. I hold my hands up to show I’m not going to hurt him, but it seems to do little to put him at ease. Whatever happened to him, it was bad.

“What’s your name?” I ask when I get close enough to speak to him.

The guy says nothing. He just draws further in on himself, as if he’s afraid I’m going to reach out and grab him.

“I’m Axel,” I say, making my voice gentle, like I did when I would talk to Lily. She’s the only person I’ve done that for. Until now.

The guy swallows and tightens his arms around himself. Then he whispers, “Noah.”

“Noah. Do you need help getting to a hospital?”

He shakes his head instantly. “No. No hospitals. He’ll find me.”

Instantly, the urge to protect rises in me. It’s a strange feeling, one I’ve only ever felt for Lily and Vanessa. “Who will?”

“My boyfriend.” He lifts his hand to wipe his nose, then wraps his arms around himself again. “We just moved out here, and I don’t know anyone, and I have no family. And…” He trails off as a tear slides down his cheek.

It’s a terrible idea, but in that moment, I know I have no other option but to take him home with me. I don’t know what the hell is possessing me, but I know I can’t just let him stay out here by himself, not hurt and scared. Even if that’s the way I usually leave people.

“Okay,” I say. “Come with us. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Noah’s gaze flicks from me to Gunner, then back again. “I…I don’t know.”

“If your boyfriend can find you at a hospital, he can find you at a hotel. You’ll be safe with me.”

I can see it the moment he realizes it’s the best option. He’s hurt and clearly exhausted. If he doesn’t get medical treatment, things could get really bad. He doesn’t know who I am yet, but going home with a mafia don is the best way to keep himself safe. And I have every intention to keep my promise of making sure Noah is protected.