Behind the Mask

Chapter 40

Axel's POV

I almost passed out when I got Marc's call. I'd thought about reaching out to her so many times in the past years, but then Kaylie died, and all I could find was the bottom of a whiskey bottle. Gods knows she didn't need that bullshit in her life. Walking in and seeing Owen's arms around her hurt more than it should have. I had no right to be jealous. We never had an actual relationship, but it still hurt. I saw the look of fear cross their faces when I told them about her smelly man. I never once second-guessed my decision, and I still don't. I'd gladly rot in jail knowing that the bastard couldn't groom and harm anyone else the way he'd done her. And now, despite the fact that she was crying, I felt whole again for the first time since losing Kaylie.

"Daddy," she whispered, "I missed you."

My chest felt tight, "I missed you too, my precious angel." I pressed my lips against the top of her head. "Do you feel better?" She looked up at me and nodded. I could get lost in those beautiful eyes. I ran my hand down the side of her face, "Oh, Marissa, baby, what has you so scared?"

She whispered, "The bad people are back. But these are new bad people. I don't want them to find me. What if Fater sent them?" Her eyes began to water again, "Are they going to make me go back?"

"No one is going to make you do anything you don't want to, angel," I said firmly, cupping her face. "Daddy Axel will kill anyone who tries to hurt you, understand? No one hurts my angel baby."

"Maybe let's not talk about killing people," Sean said as he stepped into the room. "Hello Axel, it's been too long, old friend," he said and held out his hand to me. I shook it as he sat nearby. "Good morning, little bug," he grinned, "how are you feeling?"

She peeked out from under her lashes and gave him a soft smile, "I'm okay, Seany. Owee danced with me and now Daddy Axel is here to see me."

"Looks like Daddy Axel isn't the only person here to see you, little bug," Sean said and grinned at the rest of my team as they lingered in the doorway.

She squirmed out of my arms and launched herself at them, landing in Marc's arms first. "Marc," she squealed and covered his face in kisses then flung herself over to Brandon, "BB," she breathed and nuzzled his neck. He crushed her against him, tears in his eyes as he took in a ragged breath.

"Hey slugger, how's my favorite girl?" he said.

"I'm better now," she beamed, then turned to Raven. She batted her eyelashes and held out her arms and whined, "Bear, I need songs."

He groaned as he picked her up and sighed, "Only for you malen'kaya shalun'ya." He cradled her in his arms and began to sing a Russian lullaby to her, his deep voice filling the room. She watched him with complete adoration as he finished the song and she clapped her hands, then snuggled against his chest. Looking around the room, I was surprised by the lack of jealousy. Not a single member of the Blackbourne team seemed to be bothered by her reactions to us. Quite the opposite actually, they seemed relaxed that she was comfortable.

"I'll be damned, I never knew the Russian could fucking sing," Gabe mumbled.

"Da, I can do many things," Raven hummed as Marissa played with his necklace. He ran his fingers along a piece of yarn around her neck. "What is this malen'kaya shalun'ya?"

She reached her hand up and beamed, "I'm Kota's kitten, meow." The room broke into laughter as I noticed Kota's chest swell with pride. I felt my own heartbreak a bit realizing they really had claimed her and she agreed. "And I'm Daddy Gabe's little girl and spitfire, Daddy North's babygirl and Ris, Nate's doll, LuLu's sugar, Seany's sweetheart and his little bug, Owee's mia bella regina, Silas's agápi, and Victor's beautiful." Her eyes went wide, "That's a lot of names."

Corey laughed as he sat down next to Raven. Marissa leaned over, sprawling across both their laps, "I think you forgot a few names."

She giggled, "Oops, I'm also Daddy Axel's angel, Bear's malen'kaya shalun'ya, Brandon's slugger, Marc's precious, and your little one. Am I missing any?"

He ran his hands through her hair, "No little one, I think you got them all."

"What do you want for lunch babygirl?" North asked. "You skipped breakfast, so it needs to be something healthy."

She frowned for a minute then grinned, "Noo noos."

North had a confused look. Marc chuckled, "Red or white sauce on your noodles, precious?"

"Red pwease," she answered.

North shook his head and laughed, "You guys might need to help us make a translation handbook."

"I got you, man," Marc grinned as they headed into the kitchen together.

Gabe walked up to her and held out his hand, "Come on little girl, let's get you dressed for the day." She took his hand and followed him up the stairs with Luke hot on their heels.

"Where would you like us, Owen?" I asked

"Marissa is in one of the guest rooms, so that leaves two others. One is down here, and the other is the first door at the top of the stairs. It's right across from her room. I'll let you gentlemen decide where you wish to sleep." He pressed his hands together for a moment, then continued, "If you feel one or more of you should be in the room with her, we simply ask to be informed so no one feels uncomfortable. She's the priority. I feel I should also make you aware that she intends to return to Texas on Friday."

"Like fuck she is," Brandon muttered.

Owen nodded, "I had a similar reaction, but she is insistent that her mother is unwell. Her father reached out claiming her mother was depressed and basically blamed her avoiding them as the cause. Of course, our big-hearted girl is going to put her own needs aside to help her mother. Kota and Nate have already made reservations, unbeknownst to her, at a nearby motel and she has agreed to let Victor install the app and a tracker on her phone."

"It's already there," Victor said. "I put it on the morning after our date."

I chuckled, "You realize she's going to kick your asses when she finds out you followed her?"

"You telling me you're not coming with us?" Kota smirked.

"Oh, fuck no, I'm coming, I just want to make sure you're ready to have your asses handed to you because she can do it."

Silas snorted, "Yeah, we saw that firsthand when she put Raven down last night."

I started to ask for details but was cut off by Gabe's voice, "Gentlemen." He moved aside so that we could see Marissa fully. She had on a cream-colored schoolgirl jumper that barely covered her ass over a soft green top. Gabe had completed the ensemble with knee-high socks and pigtails. I shifted in my seat trying not to be overly obvious, but soon realized I wasn't alone in my plight. While only three of us were Daddydoms, none of us were unaffected by Gabe's clothing talents.

"You look beautiful, slugger," Brandon said, breaking the silence. She beamed at him and did a little spin that had us moaning when we saw the ruffle bottom panties underneath.

"You're welcome, gentlemen," Gabe smirked. He held his arm out to her, "Now my little girl, let's go get you lunch."

She giggled and took his arm, "Okay Daddy."

"You realize he went shopping, right," Nate asked as we all headed after them. "Because we sure as hell didn't pack that outfit."

"Nate, love, Gabe started shopping about ten minutes after her first slip," Sean chuckled. "He's waited his entire life for this - for her."

I agreed, "Yeah, a Daddydom and fashionista - he's going to torture you all endlessly and you'll love each and every outfit."

Victor snorted, "Yeah, well join the party, Axel. You have a front-row seat to the torture also."

"I live for it," I grinned.  

Author's Notes: Thoughts?