CHAPTER 10: READY FOR WAR
1619 Words
The atmosphere inside the mansion changed instantly. What had been a quiet, luxurious home turned into a heavily guarded fortress in the space of an hour. Everywhere I looked, men in black tactical gear moved silently but swiftly, checking cameras, testing security systems, and positioning themselves at every entrance and window. The air felt heavy, charged with electricity and danger.
Axel didn’t leave my side for even a second. He led me up the stairs, his hand gripping mine firmly, his posture tense and alert, like a predator waiting for the first sign of movement from his prey. He took me straight to his bedroom—the largest room in the house, dark, masculine, and smelling strongly of him: rain, musk, and power.
He closed the door and locked it, turning the key twice before sliding the heavy bolt across. Then he turned to me, and for the first time since Marcus gave us the news, the cold, deadly mask slipped just a little. He walked over to me, his steps heavy and fast, and pulled me into a tight, desperate embrace. He held me so close I could barely breathe, burying his face in the crook of my neck, breathing me in deeply, as if he needed to confirm over and over again that I was really here, really safe, really his.
"They dared," he muttered against my skin, his voice vibrating through his chest and into mine, dark with pure rage. "They dared to threaten you. They think because they have numbers, they can take what is mine. They think I am just a businessman they can push around."
He pulled back just enough to look down at me, his grey eyes burning with a terrifying mix of love and murder.
"I am going to make them regret ever hearing my name, Isla. I am going to make them wish they were never born. They want war? I will give them a war they will never survive."
He let go of me and walked over to a large, heavy safe built into the wall at the back of the room. He spun the dial quickly, entering a code only he knew, and pulled the heavy metal door open.
My breath caught in my throat.
Inside wasn't money or papers. It was an arsenal even bigger than the secret room downstairs. Rows of guns—pistols, rifles, machine guns—shined under the lights. There were knives of every length, grenades, bulletproof vests, and stacks of ammunition boxes. It was terrifying… and yet, seeing it, knowing these were the things he used to protect me, made my heart race for a completely different reason.
Axel began to prepare. He moved with precision and speed, every motion practiced and perfect. He strapped a heavy gun to his right hip, another to his ankle, and a long, sharp knife to his belt. He put on a black vest that fit his body perfectly, making him look even broader, stronger, and more intimidating. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing those arms covered in scars—scars from past battles, scars that told the story of a man who had survived hell itself.
I stood near the bed, watching him, my heart pounding. This was him. This was Zero. The legend. The number one killer in the world. And he was getting ready to fight an entire family of criminals just because they threatened me.
He stopped for a moment and looked over at me. He saw the fear in my eyes, the way I was clutching my hands together tightly. He walked back over to me, his heavy boots making no sound on the floor. He took both my hands in his, his calloused, weapon-worn fingers wrapping around mine gently.
"Look at me, Isla," he commanded softly.
I lifted my head, meeting those stormy grey eyes.
"You are safe here. This room is the safest place on earth. No one gets through this door unless I let them. No one gets past the guards outside. And if… if anyone manages to get close… they have to go through me first."
He tilted my chin up, his expression fierce and absolute.
"And I promise you, little one… I am the last thing they will ever want to meet. I have killed men who were twice as dangerous as the Romano family. I have taken down empires bigger than theirs. They are nothing. They are insects I will crush under my boot."
He let go of me and turned back to the safe, pulling out a smaller, lighter gun. He checked it quickly, making sure it was loaded and safe, then walked back to me.
My eyes went wide. "A-Axel? What… what is that for?"
He held it out to me, handle first. "For you."
I shook my head immediately, stepping back. "I… I can’t! I don’t know how to use it! I… I could never hurt anyone!"
He didn’t force it into my hand. Instead, he stepped closer, holding it in his own hands but showing it to me, explaining calmly.
"I know you aren't a killer, Isla. I never want you to have to be. But you are living in my world now. And in my world, you must know how to protect yourself if I am not there."
He guided my hand to hold it, showing me where to put my fingers, his hands covering mine, guiding me.
"This is small. Light. It won't kill unless you aim for the heart or head. It will hurt. It will stop them. And that is all you need." He looked deep into my eyes, serious and intense. "If anyone comes through that door who is not me… if anyone touches you… you point this at them and you pull the trigger. Do you understand? I taught you to trust me. Now trust me when I say… it is better to have this and not need it, than to need it and not have it."
Slowly, hesitantly, I nodded. I held the cold metal, feeling the weight of it. It was scary, yes. But knowing Axel trusted me enough to give me a weapon… knowing he thought I was strong enough to protect myself… gave me a strange kind of courage.
He secured it inside the drawer of the bedside table, within easy reach, then turned back to me.
"Now," he said, his voice changing, becoming softer, warmer. He reached out and adjusted the collar of my shirt, straightening it, his touch tender. "While I am busy organizing everything, you stay in this room. You lock the door behind me. You do not open it for anyone. Not Marcus. Not any guard. Only me. Do not go to the window. Do not make noise. Just wait for me. I will come back to you."
He leaned down and kissed me. It wasn't a soft, gentle kiss. It was hard, desperate, claiming. He poured everything into it—his fear, his love, his promise, his need to make sure I knew I belonged to him. It took my breath away, leaving me dizzy and weak in the knees.
When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine.
"I love you, Isla Grace," he whispered, the words falling from his lips for the first time, heavy and true. "I never thought I was capable of loving anything or anyone. I thought my heart turned to ice years ago. But you… you melted it. You became my whole world."
He stood up straight, pulling the black mask up to cover the lower half of his face, hiding his handsome features and revealing only those deadly, grey eyes.
"I am going to end this. I am going to make sure no one ever dares to threaten you again. Wait for me. I will come back."
He turned, walked to the door, unlocked it, and stepped out into the hallway. I heard the lock click shut again, leaving me alone in the silence.
I walked slowly to the bed and sat down, my hands trembling. Outside, I heard the faint sounds of radios, of men talking quietly, of cars moving around the property. War was coming. The enemy was three days away… but knowing Axel, he wasn't going to wait for them to come to his door. He was going to go to them. He was going to strike first.
I looked at the drawer where he had placed the gun. I looked at the door he had walked through. I thought about his words: I love you.
The most dangerous man in the world loved me. And he was ready to destroy everything and everyone just to keep me safe.
I wasn't just a secretary anymore. I wasn't just a girl trying to survive.
I was the woman loved by Zero.
And whether the whole world liked it or not… I was untouchable.
💬 QUESTIONS FOR READERS 💬
1. Axel finally said "I love you" for the first time! Do you think saying it now, right before going to war, is brave or dangerous? Will it make him stronger or make him hesitate? 🥺💘
2. He gave Isla a gun to protect herself… Do you think she will ever actually use it? Or will she stay the innocent girl she always was? 🔫🤔
3. Axel plans to strike first before the Romano family attacks… Do you think he can defeat them easily, or do they have a secret plan that will hurt him? 🦅🔥
4. Isla is now the most protected person alive… but do you think living this life of danger and hiding is worth it just to be with the man she loves? 🥀🤍
- Writer
