CHAPTER 134: WAR

~LAYLA~

Sunlight filtered through the cabin curtains, warming my skin as I woke, tangled in sheets that still carried our sweat, our intimacy, and something that felt dangerously close to love. Axel’s arm lay heavily across my waist, his chest rising and falling calmly next to me.

I traced lazy circles on his chest, my fingers following the contours of muscle, then down to the scars on his ribs. As I did, I wondered about the stories behind each scar, reminders of battles from a past he had never completely opened up about.

Memories from last night crashed back in waves: Axel’s hands gripping my hips, my nails digging into his back, the way we’d finally stopped pretending this was just a contract marriage.

No walls left between us now.

Axel stirred, his eyes fluttering open, and when he smiled that lazy smile of his, it felt just as amazing as the first time I saw it. "Morning, wifey."

His voice was deep and husky from sleep as he slid his hand up my thigh beneath the sheet, sending shivers across my skin.

"Morning, husby," I whispered, shifting closer until our legs tangled again. "No regrets?"

"None." He pulled me on top of him in one smooth motion, his lips brushing mine, the roughness of his morning stubble scraping sweetly against my jaw. "You?"

"Not a single one," I replied, closing the remaining distance.

What started as lazy kisses turned hungry—his fingers threading through my hair, pulling gently, my hips rocking against him as desire rebuilt between us. We didn’t rush this time, savoring the newness of it all, laughter bubbling up when I pinned his wrists above his head.

What began as soft, lazy kisses quickly turned passionate. His fingers threaded through my hair, pulling gently, while I rocked my hips against him, feeling the desire build between us.

This time, we didn’t rush; we took our time, enjoying the fresh excitement of it all. I couldn’t help but laugh when I pinned his wrists above his head.

"Told you we’d crush Victoria," he murmured between breaths, nipping at my collarbone. "Perfect match, my ass. We showed them what a real partnership looks like."

"Damn right," I gasped, arching into him as his hands found my waist. "We destroyed them."

The retreat clock ticked somewhere outside, but we ignored it. We were completely absorbed in each other, laughing and tangled up together until we were both hot and breathless, finally collapsing in a messy pile of limbs.

"We should probably get up," I said eventually, though I made no move to leave the bed.

"Probably," he agreed, his fingers tracing patterns on my spine. "Check out’s in two hours."

"That’s plenty of time."

"For what?" His eyes gleamed with mischief.

"For one more round," I said, kissing him again.

He groaned appreciatively. "You’re going to kill me, woman. Not that I’m complaining."

"What a way to go, right?"

—

After a quick shower, where we kept stealing kisses through the bathroom door, we got ready for breakfast before checking out. I put on a casual sundress, and Axel chose jeans and a fitted shirt that showed off the physique I had thoroughly explored the night before.

"You look beautiful," he said, coming up behind me as I fixed my hair in the mirror.

"You look pretty good yourself." I leaned back against him. "Think everyone will know what we did last night?"

"Probably. But I don’t care." He kissed my neck. "Let them know you’re mine."

The possessiveness in his voice sent heat pooling in my stomach again. "Axel..."

"Come on." He took my hand. "Let’s get breakfast before I decide we don’t need to leave this cabin at all."

The lodge dining room buzzed with couples engaged in packing chatter, silverware clinking over plates of French toast, fresh berries, and scrambled eggs. The morning light streamed through the tall windows, giving everything a golden glow.

Ellen Vance spotted us first, her face lighting up as she waved us over to the head table. "Our champions! Come sit with us. You two absolutely redefined connection this weekend."

Richard clapped Axel’s back with genuine warmth. "Perfect match if I’ve ever seen one. That trivia game? Never seen a couple so in sync."

"We got lucky," I said modestly, though I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

"That wasn’t luck," Ellen insisted. "That was genuine partnership. You two really see each other."

We settled into our seats and loaded our plates with food. Across the table, Victoria sat with Ronald; her smile looked strained. She stabbed at her fruit salad with more violence than necessary, while Ronald studiously avoided making eye contact with anyone.

"So, Victoria," Ellen said cheerfully, oblivious to the tension, "what did you think of the yoga session yesterday?"

"Fine," Victoria said shortly. "It was fine."

"Just fine? The men were quite impressive with that impromptu fitness competition." Ellen winked at me. "Layla certainly seemed to enjoy watching."

Heat flooded my cheeks, but I met Victoria’s sharp gaze directly. The fire from yesterday was gone; we’d thoroughly stolen her spotlight, and she knew it.

Axel’s hand brushed against my knee under the table, his thumb moving in slow, careful circles, bringing back memories of his touch on other parts of me just a few hours ago. I squeezed his fingers in response.

"How long have you two been married again?" another woman asked. "You seem like you’ve been together forever."

"Just a few months," Axel answered, his eyes never leaving mine. "But sometimes you just know."

"Young love," someone sighed romantically.

Victoria made a sound that might have been a scoff, but when I looked at her, she was focused intently on her orange juice.

"Any plans for that delayed honeymoon?" Richard asked. "After a retreat like this, you’ll need another vacation just to recover."

Axel laughed. "We’ll see. Work’s been crazy, but maybe we can sneak away somewhere soon."

"Do it," Ellen urged. "Don’t let work consume you. These early years are precious."

The breakfast continued with easy conversation, as people shared highlights from the retreat and exchanged contact information. But I could barely focus, too aware of Axel beside me.

When we finally excused ourselves to finish packing, Victoria caught my arm in the hallway.

"Layla," she said, sounding quieter than her usual self. "I just wanted to say... you were right. About the spa days and shopping. About defining yourself by your own achievements."

"Victoria..."

"I’m not apologising," she cut me off quickly. "I’m just... acknowledging that you and Axel have something real. I can see that now."

She walked away before I could respond, leaving me standing in the hallway with a strange mix of victory and sympathy. Her marriage was clearly struggling, while mine was finally becoming genuine.

Back in the cabin, we moved around each other with practiced ease, folding clothes and gathering toiletries. Axel came up behind me at the dresser, pinning me against it mid-kiss, his hands roaming in ways that made packing impossible.

"One for the road?" he murmured against my lips.

"Axel, we need to finish..."

His phone buzzed on the bed, interrupting us. He ignored it, his mouth trailing down my neck. It rang again... and again... and again.

"Damn it," he muttered, pulling away reluctantly. He grabbed the phone, his expression darkening when he saw the name. "Tye."

He answered. "What?"

I watched as his entire demeanour changed. The relaxed, playful man from moments ago vanished, replaced by the hardened businessman I’d first met. Colour drained from his face, his jaw tightening with each second that passed.

"Been calling all night... ignore me again and you’re dead," Tye’s voice crackled loud enough for me to hear even from a few feet away.

"What’s up?"

"Mafia’s hitting Eclipse accounts. Someone’s planted forged documents claiming Layla’s laundering cartel cash through beauty products. Wire transfers, shell companies, the whole nine yards. It’s sophisticated and it’s spreading fast."

My stomach dropped, and I drew closer to hear.

"And it gets worse," Tye continued. "Hitmen have been spotted circling your house. Two teams that we know of, maybe more. These aren’t amateurs, Axe. These are professionals with cartel connections. Someone put a target on both your backs."

Axel’s knuckles went white around the phone. "When?"

"Started yesterday. I tried calling, but you weren’t picking up. My contacts in the underground say the word went out forty-eight hours ago. Layla and Axel O’Brien are accused of stealing cartel money, cutting into their operations. Real collectors are coming. The kind that don’t ask questions first."

"We’re two hours away..."

"Don’t come home," Tye said sharply. "I’ve got a safe house set up. I’m texting you the address now. Get there first, then we figure out who’s behind this and how to fix it before you both end up in body bags."

"Understood."

Axel hung up, his eyes meeting mine. The fear I saw there mirrored my own.

I grabbed his arm, my voice coming out higher than I intended. "Mafia? Hitmen? What the hell does that mean? How is Eclipse Beauty suddenly involved with cartels?"

"It’s not," he said grimly, already moving to throw our belongings into bags. "Someone’s framing us. Making it look like we’re laundering money, cutting into their territory. It’s sophisticated enough that the cartels are taking it seriously."

"Who would do this?" But even as I asked, I knew. "Cassandra. My father."

"Has to be." He grabbed my suitcase, his movements efficient despite the tension radiating off him. "Charles has connections everywhere. He must have decided that legal battles weren’t enough. If he can’t beat us in court, he’ll have someone else do his dirty work."

"But actual hitmen, Axel? That’s..." I couldn’t finish the sentence; the reality was too terrifying.

"That’s war," he finished. "And your father just escalated it to a whole new level. Come on, we need to move. Now."