Chapter 6

The noise in the club died down. Everyone stared at the man walking out of the shadows.

Axel Carrillo wore a black suit that cost more than Adelynn's life. His face was a mask of cold stone. He walked with the absolute authority of a man who owned everything he looked at.

Adelynn sat on the wet floor. She looked up at his expensive leather shoes. She looked up at his face.

She stopped breathing.

His eyes were dark, empty, and arrogant. It was the exact same look Festus Callahan gave her when he locked her in the basement.

Adelynn's heart hammered against her ribs. Her lungs refused to take in air. Cold sweat soaked the back of her velvet dress. She rubbed her thumb over her knuckles frantically.

Axel stopped in front of her. He looked down. A muscle in his jaw twitched, but his eyes remained dead.

He didn't offer his hand.

"Dead?" His voice was deep and cut through the silence like a knife.

The mockery in his tone snapped Adelynn out of her panic. The fear turned into burning anger.

She clenched her teeth. "Sorry to disappoint you. I'm still breathing."

Axel's lips twitched. He finally bent at the waist and held out his large, clean hand.

Adelynn stared at his palm. It looked like a trap. She pulled her body backward, pressing her hands against the wet floor.

She yanked her foot hard. The heel of her shoe snapped off in the floor tile. She ignored it. She pushed herself up, standing unevenly on one heel and one bare foot.

Axel's hand stayed in the air. His eyes darkened. The temperature around them dropped.

He slowly pulled his hand back and shoved it into his pocket. He tapped his index finger against his thigh through the fabric.

Jax pushed his way through the crowd. He was sweating.

Jax pointed a shaking finger at the bouncers holding Ray. "Get him out of my sight. And you two are fired." Then he turned to Axel, bowing slightly. "Mr. Carrillo, my deepest apologies for this disruption. Please, allow me to handle this properly."

Adelynn didn't care what Jax said. She just wanted to get away from Axel. His presence was crushing her chest.

She kept her head down. She turned and started limping toward the front door.

Axel stepped to the side. His massive body blocked her path. He was a solid wall of muscle and expensive wool.

Adelynn almost crashed into his chest. She stumbled back. She glared up at him.

Axel leaned down. His face was inches from hers.

"You crash my club, and you think you can just walk away?" His voice was a low whisper meant only for her.

Adelynn's eyes widened. "This is Jax's club."

"Adelynn!"

Beatrice pushed through the crowd. She grabbed Adelynn's bare arm. Beatrice looked at Axel and smiled a fake, terrified smile.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Carrillo. My friend had too much to drink."

Adelynn tried to pull her arm away. "I am going home."

Beatrice dug her nails into Adelynn's skin. She leaned in close. "Do not piss him off. He will ruin us."

Axel watched them struggle. He looked at Jax.

"Take everyone who was disturbed by this mess up to my private room. Now."

Adelynn froze. He wasn't offering them a drink. He was trapping her.