Page 108 of Trapped Truth

The fact that Axel had enough trust in his twin to send him into battle at my side speaks volumes. It didn’t seem possible a mere couple of weeks ago. Something changed when he heard Gunnar’s testimony.

“Here.” Nudging a plate towards me, Axel nods encouragingly. “Please try to eat something.”

“Ax, I’m not hungry.”

“For me? You’re super pale.”

Sighing, I pick up the cheese sandwich then force down a bite. His eyes narrow on my over-dramatic chewing.

“Brat.”

“As advertised,” I mumble around a mouthful.

“That’s true. Next time you go dashing into a firefight without us there to cover you, I’ll lock you in that storage room without the benefit of my dick.”

Cheese and bread lodge in my throat, causing me to cough. Axel picks up his own sandwich, biting into it to hide his tired smile.

With half my food eaten, I slide from the barstool to tentatively approach Blaine. He’s still stomping around in an aggravated whirlwind. I have barely enough time to shove the uneaten half of my sandwich into his hand.

“Eat,” I demand. “You need your strength.”

“Sweetheart…”

“It wasn’t a question.”

His heavy sigh follows me back to the bar where Axel watches with a cocked brow. I shrug, sliding back onto my seat and recapturing my drink to continue sipping. Whiskey and exhaustion have my skeleton sagging over within seconds.

“Will you come to bed?” Axel’s honeyed jewels sparkle with hope.

“Not until the others are home.”

“It could be hours, Em. At least get some sleep.”

“I’m more worried about Blaine right now.”

The man in question has forced down the hunk of cheese-filled bread and resumed marching when the penthouse’s security system releases a high-pitched siren. Blaine and I stiffen into statues as Axel ducks into a kitchen cupboard to yank free a gun that’s kept stashed.

“Who is it?” I gulp down a bubble of fear.

Flicking off the safety, he checks his phone then deflates. “My brother.”

“What? Here?”

“Someone must’ve sent him. Don’t move.”

Feet spread in the middle of the sunken living area, Blaine looks ready for a brawl, his red-stained hands clenched into fists. I try to steady him with a look while Axel answers the door.

“What are you doing here?” I watch as Gunnar follows Ax inside.

“Added protection.” He rolls up his sleeves. “I’m here to watch you three.”

“We don’t need your protection.” Blaine looks like he bit into a lemon, snarling in Gunnar’s direction.

“After what I’ve seen today, I’d beg to differ, Phantom. Take the damn protection.”

Axel rolls his eyes, moving into the kitchen to pull out fresh bread for another sandwich. He doesn’t even hesitate. Gunnar stations himself in a precisely chosen corner, baulking at the plate Axel extends to him.

“What is that?” His nose wrinkles.