Page 28 of Wicked Lord

Axel

Vaughn stepped out of his sleek, silver McLaren across the street as I headed to Betty’s Diner in the center of town to meet the guys. You couldn’t miss the smug smile permanently plastered on his face ever since Bass crowned him the new Domnus. Radcliffe’s head had grown three sizes. I was surprised it hadn’t disconnected from his neck and floated away.

But he was a problem I’d forgotten about in the heat of the moment when I agreed to Lorelei’s deal. Vaughn told me to stay away from Battenberg, and even though it wasn’t a direct order as the Domnus, he could still punish me for disobeying.

Or worse, he’d take it out on the guys too.

My steps slowed as I neared the diner, chewing on my bottom lip. Maybe I should just end this fake relationship before it started. Could I really put my friends in danger and on Vaughn’s shit list just to win Cordelia over?

No, I couldn’t.

Instead of telling the guys about my new girlfriend, I’d call Lorelei and break the deal. Simple as that.

But that would leave her at Brock’s mercy.

As the battle raged over my decision, I yanked the door open—a bell jingling overhead—and entered the retro diner. Scents of delicious fried and grilled food instantly had my stomach growling and mouth watering. Chatter drifted from the patrons at booths along the walls and small tables littering the black and white tiled floor.

And then the cause for my turmoil appeared next to the large circular booth we always took in the corner.

Why did Cordi have to be here?

She leaned against the booth and listened to Slate tell a joke, her laughter landing a punch to my sternum. Her long legs were on display in her tiny shorts, and memories of having them wrapped around me while I fucked her brains out had blood rushing to my dick.

When her emerald gaze shifted in my direction, her smile faltered, and she looked away.

A fist lodged in my throat at her reaction, and any thoughts of calling off my deal with Lorelei vanished. I had to get Cordi back. I’d just tell the guys another time. And if Vaughn tried to screw with them, I’d make sure to take all the heat for it.

No one would get hurt. I’d protect them.

“Hey, big guy!” Slate patted the empty seat beside him. “I ordered you a Coke.”

“Thanks.” I forced my lips into a broad grin and winked at Cordelia as if she hadn’t stomped on my heart. “Ladies, how’s it going?”

Cordi mumbled a polite hello as I sat down, and Lexi waved from across the table, barely breaking the kiss with Killian.

“Sorry I’m late. Practice ran over.” I didn’t blame the guys for already ordering. I wouldn’t have waited either. “Please tell me you ate more than pie, Slate.”

He flicked dark locks out of his eyes and shrugged, digging his fork into the dessert. “I could tell you that, but I’d be lying.”

I shook my head and perused the menu. “I’ll order you a sandwich.”

“So, Ax, will you tell me who this mystery girl you've been seeing is?”

As soon as the words dropped out of Cordi’s mouth, every muscle in my body tensed, and I wanted to dump my soda over her gorgeous head. Everyone’s attention snapped to me. Even Killian and Lexi stopped sucking face.

Perfect. I’dhaveto tell them now.

“What girl?” Killian licked his lips stained with his girlfriend’s peach gloss.

My roommate wouldn’t be happy about this. “Just someone I’m kind of dating.”

Cordi circled her finger around as a skeptical expression played over her sweet face. “So you guys don’t know anything about this either? I thought you told each other everything.”

I shrugged. “Killian didn’t tell us about Lexi, not really.” He’d basically forced her into indentured servitude and pretended to hate her guts.

Of course, we suspected it was more.

“Don’t you have a movie to catch, Cordelia?” Gage’s deep voice—bored with a slight edge of annoyance—interrupted the conversation, and he tapped the Rolex on his wrist. “Wouldn’t want to miss the previews.”