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Faelea looked straight at him and then at me in concern.
Axel stopped, sensing her distress, and speared me with a look. He pivoted and headed towards me. His blue eyes searched me, and a huge grin burst over his face as he closed in and swept me into a hug.
“Welcome to the family!” he boomed when he released me. “Nice to bring me a present.”
“Present?” I asked, confused.
“A new grandbaby,” Axel said with a boom and then sat his ass down. With a growl, he threw his crutches down, and kids swarmed all over him. Axel laughed and gave each some attention as he cuddled or tickled them. Faelea crept towards me, unsure of what was happening.
“Does he think he’s my grandfather?” Faelea whispered.
“According to Lindsey, he loves children and wants to be grandad to them all,” I replied.
Faelea looked at Axel dubiously as he sent her several glances. He did not push for her attention, and slowly Faelea stepped closer. Axel winked at her, pulled out a chocolate bar, and waved it at Faelea. She darted forward and took it and gave the big man a shy hug. Axel didn’t force her but hugged her back and let her go when she showed signs of wanting to be released.
“Well, now, woman. Stop standing there. Get the little one some food, then bring two plates for me and you, and we can have a chin wag,” Axel boomed, holding my stare.
“Yeah, kids eat first, or Phoe loses her mind. Take Faelea and get her settled,” Marsha said, heading past me and crawling into Axel’s lap when she hugged him tightly.
Axel’s big meaty hand lifted and rubbed her back as he murmured soothing words to her.
I turned my gaze away, and Gauntlet locked gazes with me as he headed toward me. He stood close to me and checked me over.
“You okay?” Gauntlet asked as kids swarmed towards the tables laden with food. Old ladies were still bringing out platters as they came under attack.
“It’s overwhelming. Believe it or not, prison for me was a mainly quiet experience. Yeah, we got the shouters and screamers, but this level of noise was never achieved, not even in the mess,” I answered.
Axel overheard, and his eyes lit up.
“Jailbird?” he asked.
“Kinda,” I replied.
Axel patted the chair next to him. “Get our food, lass, and tell me all about it.”
Gauntlet offered me a reassuring nod and smacked my ass to make me move.
I cocked an eyebrow at him, and he laughed. Axel joined in. As I got my food, the conversation around me concerned how happy everybody was that Axel was back. I spent a few hours talking to Axel and Ellen and those who came to welcome him home. Towards nine, Drake called everyone outside and made a speech.
Axel had let slip how much he was going to miss riding with the club, but his paralysed leg wouldn’t let him. The big man tried to hide his bitterness, but he couldn’t. I realised that riding was like breathing air to Axel, and my heart broke for him.
“So to end this evening, with Axel home, it brings us to one problem. As much as I love and respect you, Axel, you can not ride two wheels anymore.”
I sucked in a breath. That seemed cruel.
Axel looked like someone had beamed him in the head with a two-by-four.
“Yeah, can’t ride again,” Axel said bitterly.
Drake grinned.
“Wrong brother,” he replied, and there was a roar of a bike. The distinctive sound was that of a Harley.
Apache rode out from behind the garage on a black Harley trike. The paintwork was outstanding, skulls and a graveyard scene. Axel’s eyes widened as he limped forward on his crutches.
“Mine,” he croaked.
“Yours. Rage would never ride without their founder,” Drake chided softly as Axel launched himself at him.
