Axel

By Kat Mizera

As a Royal Protector, I can’t resist a damsel in distress...

Being an official bodyguard to the royal family of Limaj, isn’t just my job, it’s who I am. With lives depending on me, love isn’t on my duty roster.

Until I’m called in to protect a civilian. Smart, sexy and way too naïve for her own good... Solange is making me want things I shouldn’t.

When we’re together, I’m consumed. And now that I have her, there’s no going back.

Getting lost in her blue eyes could lead me down a dangerous path... but I’m prepared to protect what’s mine.

With a new enemy in Limaj and traitor among us... both our lives are at stake.

The problem is my loyalty. I’ve sworn an oath to defend the royal family at all costs.

What if the cost is her?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Aug 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094425689

Kat Mizera

USA Today Bestselling author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust. She's lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach. Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Alaska Blizzard. The library of novels she's penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, special forces heroes, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world, and melt your heart.

Book preview

1

Solange

Huddled on the floor of the broom closet above my family’s café, I listened to the sound of shattering glass and splintering wood, my hands shaking as I clutched my phone. There was no one to call. No one that could help us. My brother might already be dead, and who knew what they were doing to my father. My mother had snuck out to try to get help, but I doubted anyone was coming. That’s just how it was here in this small rural town. We’d survived a dictator-style monarchy for more than a decade, but our new and benevolent king had no idea what was happening in the small towns, the places far from the capital city where he resided. He was doing the best he could, but change wasn’t happening fast enough for some of us.

If only there was someone to help get the word out. Even if it was too late for my family, maybe there was a way to get news to the capital city so this wouldn’t happen to anyone else.

Call him.

The tiny voice in my head was as desperate as I was, and though it was probably a terrible idea, I wasn’t sure I could live with myself if I did nothing while my father and brother were murdered. Even if he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—help, at least I’d be able to say I’d done everything I possibly could.

Making an impulsive decision, I scrolled through the saved numbers on my phone and found it.

Xander.

I’d only known him for a couple of hours, and though I hadn’t known it then, I’d since seen him on TV so I now knew he was important. Connected. Maybe the only person in the world who could save my family tonight.

My hands were shaking so badly it took two tries before I hit the number on the screen, and then it rang four times before someone picked up. The voice was gruff, annoyed. I’d obviously woken them.

Who is this? the voice on the other end demanded.

I… My name is Solange. I spoke English, though I suspected whoever this was spoke my language, Limaji, too. I-I need to speak with— I let out an involuntary shriek as a crash from downstairs was so strong it shook the floor beneath me.

Who is this?! the man demanded again.

Please. I need Xander. My name is Solange and I helped him when he was hurt—oh, please help us! I burst into tears as another crash shook the whole building.

Hold the line.

I sobbed silently as I waited, terrified for my family, terrified for myself. There were rumors about what they did to the young, attractive members of the families who couldn’t pay. I didn’t know how attractive I was in general, but I almost definitely fit the bill for these monsters who terrorized our town.

Hello? I recognized his American accent immediately and nearly wilted with unexpected relief.

Xander, it’s S-solange. F-from the café in V-vinake. I was shaking even harder now, trying to talk in whispers through my tears. Please…

Okay, calm down. What’s happening?

The men… who collect taxes… They’re here. We’re short this week and I think they’ve already beaten my brother to death. They’re tearing up the café, looking for money… They’ve tied up my father… Please help us, we have no one else!

Taxes… He sounded confused. Solange, I don’t understand.

They’re like…the mafia, like you see in American movies—oh my god! This crash was loud enough for him to hear on the other end and I heard his intake of breath.

Okay, where are you exactly?

In the closet on the second floor of the building.

We have a man not far from there. I’ll try to reach him. Stay where you are. I’ll call you back. He disconnected and I covered my face with my hands, trying to mask the sound of my sobs.

There couldn’t be anything left of the café after an attack that had lasted this long, and if my father and brother were still alive, it would be a miracle.

I wasn’t sure how much time passed, but the violence continued and I was on the verge of vomiting. I wanted to help, but what could I do and how would it help anyone if they raped or killed me too?

My phone buzzed in my lap and I snatched it up. Yes? Hello?

His name is Axel and he’ll be there in a minute or two. Stay on the line with me.

O-okay. I could barely speak now, my heart slamming against my ribs, my breath short and choppy.

How did you know how to reach me? he asked softly, most likely trying to distract me.

You used my phone to call someone. I thought you were handsome and I was supposed to go to the U.S. this summer on holiday…so I saved the number you called, thinking maybe I could reach you, see you while I was in the U.S. If you were interested. I sniffled. Then I saw you on television, with Princess Elen, and realized who you were, that you weren’t really an American tourist who’d been mugged. So of course I didn’t call, but… but I saved the number because…I was afraid I might need a favor someday. Not for myself, but for my family.

Okay, Axel is there, outside. You just sit tight and wait until I tell you it’s okay to move.

M-my mother went to get help, but the police are as afraid of them as we are.

I know. It’s okay.

There was another crash and this time some yelling. Then there were gunshots that made me jump just as everything went quiet. I heard footsteps on the stairs and started to shake again.

Solange? A deep male voice—distinctly American—was calling my name.

It’s okay, Xander said in my ear. That’s Axel. You can trust him.

I got to my feet and slowly opened the door, stepping out into the hallway just as the biggest man I’d ever seen came around the corner with a gun in his hand. I shrieked and threw myself back inside the closet.

Solange, it’s okay. His voice was deep but somehow soothing. Xander sent me. He stood in the doorway of the closet, peering at me with a look so gentle I burst into tears all over again.

You’re in safe hands with Axel, Xander said quietly, and I’m on the way. We’ve called for the helicopter and I’ll be there in less than an hour. Axel is handling everything, I promise.

Th-thank you.

I owed you one. Xander disconnected.

You’re going to need to call for an ambulance, Axel said as I joined him in the hallway. Your brother’s in rough shape and your father has some bruises.

Oh no. I ran down the stairs before he could stop me and the scene before me made my knees give out. What had been a functioning, busy café just two hours ago was now…akin to the wreckage of a plane crash. There was nothing left except the furniture built into the foundation. Every table, chair, dish, and glass had been destroyed. Countertops smashed. Cash register demolished into nothing but pieces of plastic on the floor. Even the glass windows shattered. And in the middle of it all was my brother. Covered in blood.

Kostya. I whispered his name but couldn’t move. Axel had caught me when I nearly dropped to my knees, and now he gently guided me to my unconscious brother. Oh, god, is he alive?

He’s breathing, but it’s bad. He needs a hospital.

There’s but one ambulance here, I said. I don’t know if…

I’ll drive him.

Solange… My father’s voice got my attention and I turned.

Papa! He was tied to a chair, his face bloody but not as bad as Kostya, and I rushed over to him as Axel picked up my brother. Kostya wasn’t small, but Axel was…huge. Had he not just saved our lives, I would have been terrified of him.

My SUV is outside, he called over his shoulder. Are you coming to the hospital with us?

Yes, go, Papa said as I untied him. I will be okay.

I found my purse beneath the rubble of the front counter and threw it over my shoulder as I followed Axel outside. I could only deal with one issue at a time in my current state, and Kostya was my priority. I jumped into the back seat of Axel’s SUV and he put Kostya across the seat, his head in my lap. He handed me some paper towels and I dabbed at the blood as we headed toward the hospital.

Kostya was deathly still, his breathing so shallow I wouldn’t have been able to hear it if I didn’t lean over. His face was almost unrecognizable and I gently stroked his hair. He’d valiantly tried to protect our family, but there had been four of them and they’d been heavily armed. From what I’d seen, though I’d averted my eyes, they were all either dead or badly injured now. I shuddered a little to think about what fresh hell I might have brought upon my family by calling Xander, because even though he was married to a princess in the royal family, that someone had shown up and taken care of all four men without a second thought was frightening in and of itself.

Kostya moaned and I leaned down. We’re almost to the hospital. Just rest. We’re going to get you help.

I thought he nodded slightly but I wasn’t sure and breathed a sigh of relief as we pulled up to the emergency entrance of the hospital. It was small, but the only one within an hour’s distance, so we had no other choice. I watched worriedly as someone came out with a gurney and Axel helped them put Kostya on it.

Let them help him, Axel said, putting a gentle hand on my arm. They know what they’re doing.

I thought sure he was dead, I whispered, leaning against the wall.

I’m glad I was able to get to you in time.

Did you…kill them? I looked up at him warily, unsure whether or not I wanted to know the answer.

One of them. The others were unconscious. I tied them up and left them for the authorities to deal with.

They won’t, I said sadly. While I’m glad you saved Kostya’s life, things are probably only going to get worse for us.

Focus on one thing at a time, he said, his deep voice soothing. Xander will be here soon and maybe he can help.

I flushed. I don’t even know him. I don’t regret calling because that’s probably the only reason Kostya is alive, but now I feel…foolish.

You don’t know him? Axel frowned. I’m confused.

Well, we’ve met of course, but— I cut off as a doctor approached me, talking about Kostya needing surgery and a punctured lung. I was in tears by the time he walked away, and I sunk into the nearest chair.

What did he say? Axel asked me. My Limaji is rudimentary at best and he was speaking way too fast for me to catch much of it.

They broke several of his ribs and one of them punctured his lung, so he’ll need surgery and… I burst into tears all over again.

It’s all right, hon. He put a big hand on my shoulder as I sobbed, again, the day’s violence catching up to me. They’re going to take good care of him.

I was crying too hard to respond and I didn’t resist when he pulled me close, hugging me tightly as he murmured soothing words I didn’t even understand. Was he speaking French?

I’d never hugged a stranger in my life, but somehow this felt right. I was tiny compared to him, my much smaller frame dwarfed by his massive one, and for the first time all day I wasn’t afraid. I didn’t know this man, but my gut told me I could trust him, and in this moment, that was all that mattered.

Eventually, my senses returned and I got myself together enough to stop crying and blow my nose. Then we just sat there in silence, waiting for the doctor to come back out or someone to bring word about what was happening at the café.

Solange? Xander’s voice, what felt like an eternity later, startled me and I looked up.

He was as handsome as he’d been the night he’d come into the café, badly beaten, telling me a story about how he’d been mugged. I now knew that hadn’t been true, that he was actually one of the Royal Protectors, the bodyguards to the royal family. He’d also recently married Princess Elen and—holy shit, was that Prince Sandor with him? I didn’t know how to behave in front of a member of the royal family, and while my gut instinct was to curtsey, I was too shocked to move.

It’s okay, they don’t bite, Axel murmured in my ear.

Th-thank you for coming, I said to Xander, unable to even look at Prince Sandor. Poor women like me didn’t meet members of the royal family; they definitely didn’t call them because their families were being attacked.

You look like you’re about to pass out, Xander said gently. Let’s get you something to drink. Axel, can you find her some coffee or something?

Sure thing. Axel got to his feet and lumbered down the hall, leaving me with Xander and Prince Sandor.

Sit, Xander said gently. And tell me everything.

I sank down beside him, unsure where to start.

So you kept my phone number, he prompted me. What made you call tonight?

It’s been happening all over the city, I whispered. "We’re so far from Hiskale, from civilization, with just farmers and a few factories, and a dozen or so shops in the town center. The Bojovnik Brat comes once a week or so, and takes money, equipment, whatever they think they’re entitled to." Bojovnik Brat literally meant warrior brothers in Limaji, and they considered themselves the mafia of northern Limaj.

"Bojovnik Brat? Prince Sandor demanded. Who the fuck is that and why the fuck are they taking anything from anyone?"

I winced at his gruff tone and Xander put a gentle hand on my arm. He’s not upset with you. I don’t think you two have been introduced. Solange, Prince Sandor. Sandor, this is the young woman who saved my ass a few months back.

Sandor smiled and for the first time I noticed his bright blue eyes and the kindness that lurked behind them.

It’s very nice to meet you, I said politely. I’m sorry, but I don’t know if I’m supposed to curtsey, Your Highness…

Sandor shook his head, smiling. Please. No. Just Sandor. I only use my title when absolutely necessary. Tell me more about these warrior assholes.

Though our prince spoke Limaji, he was probably speaking English for Xander’s behalf, and I told them what I could. It’s been escalating, and after a rough winter, profits are down. We’ve had less and less to give them and last week they said we had a week to get them a thousand Euros. We simply don’t have it. We barely have enough to eat as it is…

I wish we’d known, Sandor said quietly. But this will stop. I’ll see to it personally.

The police are all afraid of them or being paid off. As soon as you leave, it will start again.

We’ll see about that. Sandor patted my hand. I’m going to see about the damage to the café. I don’t want you to worry about anything but your family, all right?

I nodded as Axel came down the hall and pressed a hot cup of coffee in my hand.

I didn’t know how you liked it, he said softly.

The tenderness in his eyes almost brought me to tears yet again. Who was this hulking angel and why was I so drawn to him?

2

Axel

I was momentarily distracted as Solange looked up at me with her big blue eyes. When Xander had called to tell me the local café was being attacked, something about owing the owners a favor, I hadn’t expected to find the bright-eyed beauty from the place I’d been getting my coffee most mornings. Usually her mother served me, but I’d seen her in the back, laughing with the staff as they prepped food and whatever else they did. I kept a low profile when I was in town, since my mission here required anonymity and kept me an hour away most of the time, so the last thing I’d expected was to be called to rescue a local family. Especially not one that included the gorgeous blue-eyed brunette I’d been watching from afar.

She took the coffee with a weak smile. Thank you. Black is fine. We like our coffee strong in this part of the country.

You’re welcome. I nodded and moved away to lean against the wall across from where she was sitting with Sandor and Xander.

She looked tired and terrified after the evening’s events, and I wished there was something I could do to reassure her, promise her I could help somehow. I’d done some heavy lifting tonight, though I had a feeling that busting a few heads wasn’t going to be enough to deter this group of thugs who thought they could rule the town. I’d seen a couple of them roaming around at night, behaving like they were far tougher than they were, so my gut told me they answered to someone else. Probably a mob boss in Turkey, since it bordered a portion of the country. I just hadn’t realized they were terrorizing the businesses here.

I wasn’t sure exactly what they were up to, but I didn’t like the idea of Solange and her family being harassed and bullied by these people. The new king, who’d been in power about eighteen months and was my boss, was doing his best to fix the mess that the country had become during his predecessor’s reign. However, it was a thankless, full-time job filled with setbacks, death threats, issues with infrastructure and even the occasional kidnapping. I loved my job, but I imagined the pressure on King Erik was often overwhelming. Situations like this undoubtedly fell through the cracks.

I’m going to stay the night here at the hospital with Solange, Xander said, joining me. I’d like you to go back to the café and see if you can help her parents.

What about my mission? I asked.

He glanced over at Sandor, who gave us a small nod.

It can wait a day or two so we can see what’s what here.

Okay.

Solange said you can crash in her brother’s room, so try to get a little sleep, and in the morning, we’re going to see if we can find these guys and get some information.

I nodded. I’m on it. I looked over at Solange, who seemed exhausted. She needs to rest. Don’t let her stay up all night.

I won’t.

See you later. I was halfway down the hall when Solange’s soft and accented voice called to me. I paused and turned around, looking into her pretty face.

I just wanted to thank you, she said quietly. For coming tonight, saving us. I appreciate it.

It was no problem, I replied. I’m glad I could help.

My brother wouldn’t be alive if you hadn’t… She managed a tremulous smile. Anyway, thank you. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.

You’re very welcome. Make sure you get my number from Xander, just in case you need anything.

Those bright blue eyes watched me until the elevator doors closed, blocking her from my view.

Jesus, she was beautiful. Not in a conventional way, like a lot of these movie stars today. They were pretty enough, but for some reason they all looked the same to me. Tiny little women that would break the moment you touched them. I liked a woman who was a little curvy, maybe even what other men might consider too big, but I didn’t give a flying fuck what other men thought. I was a big guy myself, both by genetics and by design.

I’d been a scrawny teenager, weighing a buck fifty at six feet three, but the Marines put fifty pounds on me and the gym put another seventy-five pounds of solid muscle on top of that. The worse things got while I was deployed in the Middle East, the harder I worked out, as if my size alone would combat the enemy. It didn’t work that way, of course, but my size served me well both in and out of the military. Now that I was a Royal Protector, I was often assigned to the king personally because people in general were intimidated by my sheer bulk. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just the bad guys. Women tended to run in the other direction as well.

Normally, I didn’t give a shit about that either. Getting laid wasn’t usually an issue on the rare occasion I had time, but women in general tended to be afraid of me. Between the height, the muscles and the bushy beard I sported these days, most women kept their distance. The nice ones anyway. And sweet, beautiful Solange had been terrified when she’d first seen me. Unlike other women, though, she’d warmed up to me. She’d been grateful for my help and I’d seen a vulnerability in her eyes that told me I’d made her feel safe. While that was my job, most people were too intimidated by my scruffy looks and bulked-up body to see that side of me. The protector in me.

But Solange had.

I wanted to see her again, talk to her, hear her lilting accent. Nothing would come of it, of that I was sure, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy being her friend, thinking about the things I would never do with her. To her. Her curves were made for fucking, something I’d thought of every time I’d seen her at the café. She hadn’t noticed me because I always got my coffee early in the morning, before she officially started work, but I’d seen her come and go, up and down the back stairway that only the family used. Her parents worked in the mornings, usually until mid-afternoon, and then Solange and Kostya took over for the dinner and evening shift. Sometimes she was there all day, even in the morning, but mostly she handled the night shift.

There were two other employees as well, but the parents opened up and Solange and Kostya closed. Always. Seven days a week. I wondered why a pretty girl like her worked so hard, and didn’t seem to have a life, but it hadn’t been any of my business and I was only supposed to be in town a week or two anyway. So I’d put her and her luscious little ass out of my mind.

Until tonight.

Now I would think of nothing else.

When I got back to the café, I cringed at the condition. The windows were broken, every piece of furniture was smashed, and glass and trash littered the floor. Solange’s parents, whose names I didn’t know, were trying to board up the windows, but her father was favoring his right arm and her mother wasn’t strong enough to do it herself.

Let me help, I said quietly. Is there a ladder?

Hello. Solange’s mother smiled. I am Nadia.

Hi, Nadia. I’m Axel.

My husband, he is Samuel.

I nodded at him. I’ll board this up. Why don’t you two get some rest? You’ll want to see your son in the morning.

Kostya, he is okay? Nadia asked softly.

He’s in surgery. He’s going to be okay. I didn’t know that, of course, but what else could I say?

They only had a handful of four-by-eight slats of plywood, but I boarded everything up as well as I could and then helped Nadia bag up the worst of the mess. Samuel probably needed to see a doctor but he shook his head when I mentioned it and did his best to sweep the floors. Not that it would make much difference. The place was destroyed and I wasn’t sure what else I could do. I had a feeling Sandor would find a way to help, but that wasn’t my problem.

I slept for a few hours in Kostya’s bed, but it was too small and I didn’t rest very well. I’d brought in my duffel with a change of clothes, so I took a quick shower and headed downstairs. To my surprise, most of the early morning regulars were there, along with Nadia and Samuel, serving coffee out of industrial-sized urns. Something smelled fantastic and Nadia held out a basket of something to me.

Good morning. You are hungry?

Thank you. Did you actually get up and bake? I asked her, taking a soft, warm roll that smelled of cardamom.

We have customers, they go to work in the factories, they are hungry. She smiled. Is okay.

Can I do anything?

You will go to Solange? She held out a separate basket and a thermos.

I… Shit. I had a dozen things to do today that didn’t include stopping in at the hospital, but how could I say no? Yes, of course. I will.

She poured me a cup of coffee in a Styrofoam cup. You go.

Thanks. I took everything and headed out to my truck.

And all four goddamn tires were flat.

This had been intentional, of course, and I slowly turned, sweeping the area. If the thugs who’d trashed the café had done this for revenge, they’d be watching for my reaction. I pulled out my phone and called Sandor, not giving them the satisfaction of reacting much at all.

"Looks

Reviews for Axel

[Missy Tapine-Tumu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loving this series of books and each couple is unique to their own lovestory.