Page 32 of All's Fair in Love & Wrath

Sienna’s eyes go wide, and I don’t like that he’s caught her off guard. “Wh-what?” she practically squeaks.

Malice brushes his hands through his wild bleach-blond hair. “I’ve been trying to get mine white like yours, but my roots come in too fast and too dark. It’s a problem I’ve been trying to fix. How’d you do yours? It’s pretty convincing. I almost didn’t know at first, but then something told me there was no way this was natural. I’m right, aren’t I? You dye it just like me? Will you tell me how you do it?” Malice rambles, and I would normally shut him up by now, but I can’t stop looking for the clue he picked up on that I missed. Does Sienna dye her hair? What color is she underneath this pretty shade of blonde?

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sienna takes a large step away from Malice and looks frantically around the room, like she’s been caged and doesn’t know where to run. I don’t fucking like it.

“Malice, shut the fuck up and leave her alone. Go find Monroe, I’m sure she’s waiting for you in the dungeon.”

“The what?” Sienna repeats, eyes quickly flicking to the door. I put my hands up, palms facing outward to her.

“It’s what we call his playroom in the basement. I promise there are no actual dungeons here. You’re safe here, Sienna. I promise. Something I don’t do often.”

“Make promises?”

You’re the first. “Hardly ever.” I shrug. “Let’s get you settled, yeah?”

Sienna nods, eyes still darting all over the common room.It’s practically empty, the sun just starting to peek over the horizon. I’ve been up for damn near twenty-four hours and could really use a few hours of sleep before the day really starts.

Sienna said she wants to feel safe, so I’m taking her to the only place I know I can give her that.

My room.

Chapter Twelve

SIENNA

Ifollow Axel through the dimly lit clubhouse on autopilot. A numbness has washed over me, and while that should probably be terrifying, it’s just preservation at this point. I’m stuck here until Saint comes back and decides what my future holds. Not that I’m in a rush to get back to my studio apartment by myself, but at least I had some freedom for a few years. Even if my dad and Saint kept the leash short.

Axel pulls out a key and unlocks a door, pushing it open for me to step in. The scent of amber, woods, and citrus wraps around me, and I can’t help but breathe it deeply into my lungs, my eyes fluttering closed. It’s comforting, and my muscles instinctively relax. The room is a decent size; a queen-sized bed sits in the center, a closet, a dresser, a small desk and chair, and a large window. It’s sparse and clean, but there aren’t a lot of personal effects, except for some men’s bracelets that sit on top of the dresser.

“There’s no extra rooms in the clubhouse, and I didn’t think you’d want to bunk with the patch bunnies.”

“So you put me in your room,” I reply as I turn to face him.He’s standing in the open doorway, his forearm lifted and braced against the doorframe, the fabric of his T-shirt tightening against his flexed bicep, his other hand shoved into his front pocket. Axel doesn’t look annoyed or put out, but he also doesn’t look happy or eager, just kind of complacent? His dark hair is more tousled than the last time I saw him, but it is the early hours of the morning, and by the looks of it, he’s been up just as long as I have.

“And where are you going to sleep?” I wrap my arms around myself, torn between not wanting to share a space with another person, and not wanting the only person I know here to leave me. Axel just nods toward the hallway.

“No one would dare to come near my door, you’ll be safe in here. There’s fresh towels in the bathroom if you want to shower, and I keep some waters in the mini fridge under my desk. Help yourself.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you need anything at all, sweetheart?”To be free. To feel safe. To be in control of my own life.

“I’m fine for right now.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours then.”

“Okay.”

“Good night, Sienna.”

“Good night, Axel.”

His eyes linger on my face for longer than socially appropriate, and that sudden warmth fills my veins again. He’s ridiculously handsome, there’s no question about it, but his face is so expressive, and right now, he looks so concerned, so reluctant to leave that I almost ask him to stay just for some company. But then he knocks his knuckles against the doorframe and nods, turning and pulling the door closed behind him.

A split second later, there’s an audible click of a lock, and Idon’t know whether that just locked everyone out, or locked me in. I suppose it doesn’t matter either way, does it?

With a deep breath, I pick up my bag and set it on the edge of the bed, deciding that I’ll worry about stripping down and showering tomorrow, and all I need right now is sleep. I quickly change out of my jeans and hoodie, pulling on an oversized T-shirt that I stole from Gage a few years ago. It’s a faded, washed-out black and says All-American Rejects on the front. I slip on a pair of shorts, even though I typically just sleep in a T-shirt and underwear, and drop my bag back down to the floor.

Axel’s bed is made, and I stand in front of it, staring until my eyes get heavy and I start to sway on my feet. I’ve never slept in a man’s bed before, and it feels so odd to do so now. I’ve felt out of place a million times, but this definitely takes the cake.