Chapter 2

2

AVA

A xel Corbyn's icy blue eyes are glued to mine. I refuse to break the stare, barely even risk blinking, unwilling to show any more weakness. I'm already on my damn knees, having been dragged in by his men, and probably look like I've been living in a bloody dungeon for a month. Which isn't too far from the truth.

There's blood and grime underneath my fingernails, and my hair is a wild mess around my face. The thin black dress I'm wearing is ripped and filthy from the way I've been handled.

If holding this man's gaze is the only advantage I can get, I'm gonna take it. No matter how hard it is. Not because I'm staring at one of the most feared men in the city, a man whose reputation I know like the back of my hand, but because my entire body is reacting to his presence. Instead of thinking about all the blood on his hands like I should be, I'm thinking about how those hands would feel touching me. My blood runs hot, my heart beats so fast I'm sure he'll be able to hear it, and my mind spins. Can he feel this pull the way I can, or have I finally lost my mind?

I've just been sold to him for God's sake, finding him attractive is the last thing I should be doing. But he's over six feet of muscle, dark hair hanging in waves around his ears, black clothes clinging to him like they were made to show off his body … and I just can't help it. I should be terrified, and I have been since my father so callously informed me of my fate, but I can feel the terror leaving my system the longer Axel holds my gaze.

When his enforcer tells him who I am, Axel's entire face turns stormy. I can't blame him for his obvious hatred of my father, considering I hate him more than anyone else ever could. The only positive about being literally sold is that I don't have to live under my father's roof any longer. No fate can be worse than that, after all.

"Get out," Axel snaps, and I hear the men around us shuffle on their feet. Nobody leaves, though, and when I risk a glance at the guys who dragged me in here, I see the complete confusion on their faces. Axel's fists clench at his sides. "Don't fucking make me repeat myself," he growls at them.

Holy shit, I shouldn't find that gravelly, demanding tone hot, but my body doesn't care about logic.

In a rush, everyone leaves except Axel and the man standing by his side. I know he's Axel's second in command, Nick. You don't grow up with a gang leader as a father without knowing who these people are.

"You, too," Axel says darkly to his second, who frowns.

"Sure, Boss," Nick says, heading towards the door despite the skepticism in his voice. It's obvious none of them want to leave Axel alone with me, but what he says goes. It's hardly like I'm a threat to him, anyway, unarmed and defenseless as I am.

The door closes with a snick that seems impossibly loud in the ensuing silence. And just like that, I'm alone with the most feared gang leader the city's ever seen.

Axel takes three long strides towards me, and my eyes get glued to the shine on his shoes as he approaches. He's the perfect combination of shiny businessman and dark and dirty, and it's scrambling my brain even more than the exhaustion from today is.

Sparks fly through me as two long fingers cup my chin, tilting my head back and forcing my gaze back to his. I forget how to breathe, my entire being focused on his touch. I might not have much experience with men, given that I've been under my father's control all twenty-four years of my life, but I've never felt anything like this before.

Before I can think better of it, I straighten my shoulders and snap, "Are you going to hurt me, too?"

His expression shifts to one of utter fury before softening significantly, taking my breath away. He's looking down at me like … like … he holds some sort of affection for me.

My heart skips multiple beats.

"I will never hurt you," he says, his voice rich and decadent like the best chocolate cake. "And I'll kill anyone who does."

My gasp is audible. "Wh–what?"

"What's your name, angel?" he asks gently, his thumb stroking along my jawline.

"A-Ava," I murmur, utterly entranced by his touch. I can't help but lean into it, soaking up the first sweet touch I've felt in … years. I believe him when he says he won't hurt me, and maybe that makes me crazy. But there's something about him that pulls me in and makes me feel a sense of warmth I've never felt before.

"Pretty name for a pretty, precious thing," he whispers, making me shiver.

A squeal breaks free from my lips as he leans down and picks me up, bridal style, his movements fast and sure. "What are you doing?" I ask, words coming out breathy.

"You don't belong on the floor like a dog," Axel growls, and I can't help but laugh.

"You've just met me. You don't know me at all," I manage to say through my disbelief.

Axel shoves through the door of the office, and in the next second, we're in another room. I catch sight of a huge bed with black sheets before he takes us to the attached bathroom. Black tiles greet my eyes, and a glance over my shoulder reveals a ginormous shower that is far more luxurious than any I've ever used.

"I know you didn't deserve what he did to you." Axel is clearly pissed on my behalf. It's weirdly sweet. I've never had anyone get mad for me before. "I know you're the most beautiful thing I've ever set eyes on. I know that one look at you has captivated me, and you're mine now. Not because of your father's pathetic attempts to pay off his debt, but because I could never let you go."

I can only gape at him, utterly in shock that he feels this pull the way I do. I thought I was going insane, but there's a hungry, possessive gleam in his eyes that makes my blood turn hot. I must look like a total disaster, and yet he's staring at me like he could eat me alive.

Gently, Axel sets me down on the marble counter beside the sink and steps away to turn on the shower. The sound of running water fills the air as the steam does.

"Arms up, angel," Axel says, and it doesn't even occur to me to argue.

I raise my arms above my head, and he wastes no time in pulling my dress off. He throws it into the small bin beside the toilet, and all I can think is good riddance . Too late, I realize I have nothing but a thin pair of cotton underwear on, and now I'm nearly entirely exposed to him.

I go to hide myself, to wrap my arms around my chest to cover myself up, but Axel's low growl stops me.

"Don't hide yourself from me, Ava," he demands, and my arms drop uselessly to my side. He's got me under some sort of trance, and I never want to escape.

"I…" I try to say, but the words die on my tongue.

"You're fucking gorgeous, angel," Axel says, tongue darting out to lick his lips. "Raise your hips for me. Let me get you clean."

I don't argue, helping him work my underwear down my legs and leaving me entirely naked. He stares at me for a long second, our breathing heavy and steam curling around us, warming my skin.

He steps away, and it's my turn to drool as he quickly sheds his clothes. He's built like a God, all carved muscles that make me want to run my tongue over him. There's a few scars that just add to his air of danger, the worst a jagged line over his pec right above his heart.

"What are you doing?" I ask breathily.

He scoops me back up easily and walks us both into the shower. Between our bodies, I can feel the hot hard press of his cock against my stomach. It makes my breath catch in my throat, and of course, he notices.

"Sorry," he says roughly, readjusting so that there's more distance between us.

I move before I really think about what I'm doing, winding my hands around his neck and pushing myself closer to him once again. He freezes, and for a second, neither of us speaks or moves as a rapid mixture of emotions crosses his face.

"Don't say sorry," I breathe, breaking the heavy quiet. "I-I liked it."

Axel's eyes darken, and I desperately try to remember how to breathe properly.

"You like the feel of me against you, angel?" he says as he steps us under the water flow. "Aren't you scared of the big bad gang boss?"

I blink up at him, shivering at the heated look in his eyes. Nobody's ever looked at me like this before. Like they want to protect me to the end and ruin me in all the best ways possible. I don't know how to process it, but I know I want more.

"No," I whisper, still pressed against him since he hasn't put me down. "You don't scare me."

Admitting that is probably stupider than thinking about it, but after everything that's happened to me today, I can't find it in me to lie. I know how much blood is on this man's hands, I know all the stories and rumors of his viciousness, but those same hands are on my waist, holding me gently against him, and it's impossible for my brain to register that as a threat.

"Good," Axel rumbles, setting me down on my feet just to back me against the wall. "I am not a good man, Ava. Everything you've heard about me is true. But, fuck, one look at you and I want to be good for you. You will never have to be scared of me, understand, angel?"

I nod, shocked silent by his declaration.

"Good girl." I nearly melt right there and then. "Now let me clean you up and then you can rest. You look exhausted."

I am exhausted, but sleeping is the last thing on my mind as Axel begins to lather soap into my skin. His big hands run up and down my arms, over my shoulders, down my back. Dirt and dried blood from the scratches on my body swirl down the drain. When his hands skim up my stomach to my chest, I inhale sharply, my eyes meeting his.

Holding my gaze, as though reading my reactions closely, Axel cups my breasts, soapy fingers swiping over my peaked nipples and making me shiver again.

Axel curses under his breath. "You gotta stop reacting to me like that, Ava or this is going much further than getting you clean," he warns darkly.

I arch into his touch. "What if I want it to go further?" I ask, my voice small but sure. His touch feels good, and I want more of it. "I've been grabbed and dragged around by too many men in my life, today especially. Coming here was supposed to be the worst thing to happen to me, but already, it's the best thing. I want your touch to clean me of the memory of everything. I can't explain it, but I've never felt what I felt when I saw you."

Axel exhales, a shudder working through him that fills me with satisfaction. "Fuck, Ava," he growls out. "We can't. I refuse to take advantage of you like that."

I shake my head. "You're not," I insist. "I want this, Axel. I want something for myself. I want to take control of my life for once."

Standing there in the shower, naked and vulnerable, I've never felt more powerful. He won't push me or force this, and knowing that fills me with a rush of determination. I don't want to let this feeling go.

I push up on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. For a moment, I think he might pull away and tell me no again, but then his hands tighten on me and he's consuming me. It's like something in him snaps at my boldness, untethered.

"You're mine," he growls against my mouth.

I don't try to fight my instincts, winding my arms around his neck and clinging to him as his tongue slides against mine. Our bodies are slippery with soap, but I know he won't let me fall.

With one hand still on my breast, massaging and exploring, the other travels down my stomach. I feel like I've been lit on fire, burning up beneath his hands.

I can't help the moan that leaves my mouth as he cups me between my thighs, the touch feeling like a claim.

"Fuck, Ava, you're so wet for me," Axel groans, dragging two fingers through my center. My nails dig into his shoulders as I clutch him, drunk on the way he's making me feel. "Tell me you want me to make you feel good, angel. I need to hear it."

I couldn't disobey him if I tried. "Please, Axel," I breathe. "I need you to make me feel good."

"Whatever you want, I'll give you," Axel promises.

I open my mouth to answer but all that comes out is a loud moan as Axel's fingers slide over my clit, sending bolts of pleasure rushing through me. I fumble for him, needing to feel him too, needing to make him feel the way he's making me feel.

"God, Ava," he groans as I wrap my hand around his cock, clumsy and needy. "Shit, that's it. Just like that."

"Axel…" My head hits the tile as my eyes flutter shut. He works two fingers inside me, filling me and making my head spin. I squeeze his cock, working him in my fist, addicted to the way he reacts to my touch.

His thumb finds my clit, and if it wasn't for his other arm around my waist holding me up, I'm sure my knees would've given out.

"You make the prettiest fucking noises," Axel praises, and I flush under his attention. I can't stop the string of moans and whines coming from my mouth, my blood thrumming with bliss. "Let me see how gorgeous you look when you come, angel. Give it to me."

I shatter, screaming his name as pleasure overtakes me. He groans, following me over the edge and spilling his release into my hand. I cling to him, seeing stars as waves of bliss overwhelm me until I can finally catch my breath again. Axel pulls back just enough to kiss me, soft and sweet.

My mind is still spinning as he washes me off, cleaning us both up and spending time untangling my hair with shampoo that smells like him, masculine and dark.

I can barely keep myself upright as he turns off the water and grabs us towels, but thankfully I don't need to walk anywhere. He wraps me up in a fluffy towel then scoops me into his arms, walking us back to his bedroom. I want to stay awake to snoop about and inspect his space out of curiosity, but I can barely keep my eyes open long enough for him to pull one of his t-shirts over my head.

I sigh happily as I lie back in his bed, eyes already closing as he tucks me in.

"Get some rest, angel," he murmurs, stroking my wet hair away from my face.

I hear the rustling of fabric as he gets dressed, and within seconds I'm slipping into a much-needed sleep. The last thing I think before my dreams consume me is that maybe this isn't the death sentence I thought it was. Maybe this is the chance at freedom I've always longed for.