CHAPTER 168: READY FOR BATTLE

~LAYLA~

I set down my whiskey glass, suddenly feeling exhausted. The adrenaline from dinner was wearing off, leaving me completely drained. "I need to shower. Get this bracelet off. I feel like it’s burning my skin."

"Go," Axel said gently. "I’ll handle the rest of tonight’s logistics with Tye. We’ll figure this out, Layla. We’re close now."

"I know." I stood, then paused. "Thank you both. For keeping me safe tonight. For making this plan work."

"That’s what we do," Tye said with a slight smile. "Keep each other alive and one step ahead of the people trying to kill us."

"When you put it that way, it sounds almost normal."

"For us? It is."

I left them planning in the living room and headed upstairs. In our bathroom, I carefully removed the diamond bracelet, dropping it into its box like it might contaminate everything else. I had planned to drop it after dinner, but left angry and forgot about it.

The shower was scalding hot, washing away the feel of his hand on mine, the weight of his gaze, and the presumption in his voice when he’d proposed.

By the time I came out, wrapped in Axel’s robe, I felt almost human again.

When I returned to the bedroom, Axel was waiting. He pulled me into his arms immediately, just holding me.

"I hated every second of that dinner," he said against my hair. "Watching you sit there with him, knowing he was attracted to you, knowing he thought he had a chance..."

"He never had a chance," I interrupted. "Not for a single second."

"I know. But it doesn’t make it easier to watch."

"It’s over now. And we got what we needed."

He guided me to the bed, pulling back the covers. "Come here. You need rest."

I climbed in, and he wrapped himself around me, his warmth seeping into my bones.

"Are you still up for that trip to Greece?" he asked softly. "After all this is over? Santorini?"

"Of course. I’ve been thinking about it constantly: white buildings, blue water, wine, and absolutely no cartels or kidnappings."

"What’s the first thing you want to do when we get there?"

"Sleep," I said immediately, making him laugh. "For about three days straight. Then maybe explore. We’d see the sunset everyone talks about."

"We could rent one of those cave houses built into the cliffs. Wake up to the ocean every morning."

"That sounds perfect. What about you? What do you want to do?"

"Honestly? Just be with you. No meetings, no threats, no emergencies. Just us, being normal for once."

"Normal sounds amazing right now."

His hand traced lazy patterns on my arm. "We could take a boat tour. Visit the volcanic islands. There’s this beach with red sand I’ve always wanted to see."

"Red sand? Really?"

"Mmm. And there’s a place that does wine tastings in caves. Supposed to be incredible."

I smiled against his chest. "You’ve been researching."

"Maybe a little. Had to have something to think about besides Marco proposing to my wife."

"Your wife, who turned him down immediately and walked out."

"My wife, who’s a badass and makes me fall more in love with her every day."

I tilted my head up to look at him. "Even when I’m getting marriage proposals from cartel heirs?"

"Especially then." He kissed my forehead. "Though let’s not make that a regular occurrence."

"Deal."

We talked quietly about Greece, discussing what we’d eat, see, and do, our voices growing slower and softer as exhaustion finally caught up with both of us.

The last thing I remembered was Axel whispering about watching the sunset from our balcony before sleep claimed me completely.

—

I woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and Axel’s lips on my shoulder.

"Morning," he murmured against my skin.

"Morning," I replied, stretching. "What time is it?"

"Early. But I couldn’t sleep anymore. Too busy watching you."

"That’s not creepy at all."

"It’s romantic when you’re this beautiful."

I laughed, turning to face him. "Smooth talker this morning."

"Always when it comes to you." His fingers traced my jawline. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. Rested. Ready to track down a corrupt lawyer and clear our names."

"That’s my girl. Always ready for battle."

"Only because I have you watching my back."

"Always will." He pulled me closer. "So... if I kissed you right now, would that count as a good morning or a distraction from our very important mission?"

"There’s only one way to find out."

His eyes darkened with interest. He lifted my chin gently, bringing his face close to mine. For a moment, we just breathed the same air, the anticipation building between us.

Then his lips met mine, soft and slow, taking his time like we had all morning. His hand slid into my hair, angling my head as the kiss deepened. When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing harder.

"Definitely a good morning," I whispered.

"The best kind." His lips moved to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. "You know what else would make this morning better?"

"What’s that?"

"Another kiss."

I didn’t have the time to react before his lips landed on mine again. But he didn’t stop there. I gasped slightly when his lips left mine, only to trail a slow path down my jaw. My pulse thundered in my ears, my stomach doing flips as he moved lower... to my neck.

The moment his lips brushed against the sensitive spot just above my collarbone, I felt it.

A jolt of heat shot through my body like wildfire.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my fingers digging into his arms in an attempt to steady myself. Axel exhaled against my skin, his grip tightening slightly as if he felt it too.

"Axel..." I whispered.

Axel didn’t respond; instead, his hands wandered, sliding down my back, over my waist, gripping my hips as he pressed me flush against him. I gasped into his mouth as he kissed me again, my body melting against his as his teeth grazed my bottom lip before deepening the kiss.

I couldn’t think... couldn’t breathe... couldn’t focus on anything but the way Axel was consuming me, unravelling me piece by piece.

And I loved every second of it.

Then... I got an idea, a very bold, very dangerous idea.

Slowly, I let my hands slide down from his chest, tracing along his abdomen before reaching the waistband of his trousers.

Axel stiffened slightly. A sharp inhale broke our kiss as I tugged at the fabric, my fingers brushing against the firm muscles beneath.

His eyes darkened, but he didn’t say anything; he just watched, as if waiting to see what I was about to do.

As I did, his hand snapped to my wrist, gripping it tightly. "Layla." His voice was thick and low. "Careful."

I smirked.

And then... I yanked his trousers lower.

Axel gasped, holding me a bit tighter. I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me that he was just seconds away from losing control.... That I was playing a dangerous game.

But before he could do anything, before he could even think, I stood up.

Axel blinked. "What..."

I took a single step back, smiling innocently. Then, without a word, I turned on my heel and sauntered toward the bathroom.

Axel sat there, stunned, his blood roaring in his ears. He finally found his voice. "Layla."

I paused at the doorway, glancing over her shoulder with a smirk. "I’m taking a bath," I said sweetly. "You should cool off, too."

And with that, I disappeared inside.