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He jolted upright, his eyes blinking open. “I’ll wait.”
She stopped with her hand on the doorframe. “Go to sleep.”
“No.” He shook his head stubbornly. “Have your shower. I’ll keep an eye on the door and make sure no one goes in.”
Humor rippled through her body. He was clearly half asleep and had no idea what he’d said. Who else would go in the bathroom but one of them? This entire building was deserted except for the Sinners in the basement.
Shaking her head, she went into the bathroom and quickly showered the blood off her face and hair. When she emerged in a towel, he sat on the edge of the bed resting his head in his hands, eyes closed. As quietly as she could, she went to her closet, but as soon as she opened the door, the white leather Falcon battle suit assaulted her eyes. She’d had multiple suits made. So many were ruined after blood stains, but she’d liked the symbolism.
Now, like her entire life, it was all a lie. She pushed aside the hangers and considered putting on day clothes, but she was a little tired too. Maybe her family was right, and she was still healing from her ordeal. Sleep would be welcome for a few hours until dawn. She chose a soft camisole and panties, plaited her long damp hair, and then padded quietly back to the bed.
Axel still leaned on his hands. He’d removed his shirt and jeans, but remained in his boxer shorts. Leaning forward like that, his muscles pulled taut, his long lashes fanning his cheeks, his breath even. Asleep. A rush of affection surged as she brushed a lock of brown hair from his face. His brows lifted as though he tried to open his eyes but couldn’t. He mumbled something in Portuguese. Daisy was sure it was a demand from the tone. In that moment, seeing him bathed in the soft blue light of the moon, hearing the smooth timbre of his voice, and smelling his raw earthy scent, she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than to be in his arms.
She pushed him down and helped him under the covers, then climbed across him so she could face the window. This was the only way she liked sleeping, watching the world below, waiting for dawn to wake her up. It reminded her of the mornings she and Parker would wake before the sun, lie on the roof and cover themselves with food so the pigeons would find them. Then they’d scream and shout so the flurry of wings fluttered all around them, tickling them. It was the closest they could get to flying.
To freedom.
The instant she rested her head on a pillow, Axel tugged her against his body. He burrowed his face into her neck and sighed heavily as he rested his arm over her body, caging her in.
“Why do you smell so good?”
“Probably the pheromones,” she murmured. She’d never had someone hug her like this. Not since her childhood. Not since her siblings and Mary. It had been so long. It took her a long minute until she relaxed.
“Probably.”
Daisy tried not to tear up as she fell asleep, but Julius’s voice was in her ear taunting her.
“Suck it up, my darling. No time for tears when the world is burning.”
As if he sensed her distress, Axel murmured something soothing and then kissed her nape. As his breathing evened out, she decided to listen to the other voice in her head—Mary’s.
“… you have the tools to lead this family.”
“Parker was born to lead.”
“Maybe with this.” Mary tapped Daisy’s head. “But you lead with this.” She tapped Daisy on the breastbone. “Do you understand?”
“No. Because mine is broken.”
Mary glanced at Axel. “Not for long.”
Daisy covered Axel’s hand on her breastbone and closed her eyes.
This, she thought. This right here was another thing she knew for sure.
