Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"Lyse doesn't know you're meeting me, right?" Axel lowered his voice with ragged breathing.

"She's asleep." Jasper glanced at him deeply. Frowning, he questioned, "Axel, you look unwell. Are you feeling sick? I'll get my grandpa's physician to check on you." Axel ushered Jasper into his room and shut the door. Letting out a sigh, he walked to the couch, where he gritted his teeth and took off his torn black shirt under the dim light.

Jasper's pupils dilated in shock. He gasped at the horrific wounds across Axel's muscular body, swith scabs and sstill bleeding.

What shocked Jasper was the palm-sized burnt injury on Axel's back. Axel's honeyed skin turned a shade of red. Bloodied fluids oozed out of the burst blister.

"How did it get this bad?" Jasper's heart nearly stopped. He hurried over and helped Axel to take a seat.

villa to burn us alive." Axel clenched his jaw when he recalled

complained or groaned when injured. In fact, he nearly couldn't make it when he

you fucking maniac!' Gripped by anger, Jasper helped

Axel took a breath and chuckled. "Now, I'm really thankful that Lyse has always been into you, even when Jameson tried to woo her. Thank God she didn't fall for his lies, or

you to thank," said Jasper while secretly

been the one looking out for herself, relying on her intelligence." "Pfft. Looking out for herself?" Sweating from the pain, Axel grinned. "She's never looked out for herself in the sense of the word. Winston protected her when she was a kid. And us brothers, we've been there for her as adults. No one truly wants to be overly independent when they have people who care and love them." While speaking, Axel thought of the gorgeous Amber who had fought alongside him. He could tell from her combat skills that she had been put through grueling training-her

By the the belatedly realized the