Heart of Stone

💣Chapter 2💣

Axle POV

The light outside woke me up. Definitely not the sound of my wife screaming at our daughter about me. No definitely not that.

I groaned loudly, wanting to delay the inevitable dread of facing people. I dragged myself out of bed and put on my clothes for the day; black turtlesneck tank top, camo cargo pants, then my black steel toe boots.

I walked out of my room, past all of the portraits that lined my main hallway before entering the kitchen. "Oh, look. The bitch king wakes up." Caroline, my wife, was glaring at me. I honestly couldn't have been bothered to respond, so I just walked past her to the fridge. She walked out the kitchen in a huff. 'Hopefully into traffic .' I looked at my daughter, Byride, who was on her phone listening to music.

"Good morning, Birdie. How did you sleep last night?" She glanced up at me. "Why should I tell you?" I sighed. I walked over to the pantry and got some wheat squares. "What song are you listening to?" I asked over my shoulder. She rolled her eyes. "It's called, 'the world will die in fire.' It's by I Hate My Fuxing Parents." I stood there for a second before replying with, "That's nice." 'This is why I hate people.' I rubbed the back of my neck before grabbing my bowl and walking to the table.

I sat down next to her to eat breakfast. I heard her gasp next to me. I looked up and I saw that she was looking where her mother threw a wine glass at me three nights ago. I had a scar on my right arm from a sharp piece. One of many that were caused by my lovely wife. "Did...did mom do that?" She asked, her voice shaky. I nodded before shrugging it off. "It's normal, so you don't need to worry." I told her. "She was just drunk that night."

She nodded slowly, her eyes still trained on the scar. "I'm fine. It's not that big of a deal. I've had worse. I am a general after all." She nodded again then looked back at her phone, going back to ignoring my presence. In all honesty though, I get more scars from that women than any battle I go to.

I turned away. A servant, one of the new ones, Maxton, I believe, came to take my bowl after I finished. I stood up and walked out of the kitchen. When I got to my personal study, I closed the door, sat down, and put my head in my hands. Honestly, I sometimes wish I would die on the battlefield so that I wouldn't have to deal with my wife. I hated it here. I hated everything about it here. Except...

I looked at a picture of me and Birdie. She was smiling and happy. I believe she was eight when that picture was taken. If it wasn't for her, I would've left already. I need to make sure she is safe, and by keeping her mother's anger on me, then she is safe.

I set my shoulders back and walked out of my study. The words I've been telling myself for the past fifteen years ringing through my head.

'Do it for Birdie.'

I went into the library and began reading about different battle strategies people used in wars before my time. It was a good distraction from the woman who I was forced into a marriage with. Ruth, another servant, informed me that Caroline was out of the house for the rest of the day. I walked into the living room, after thanking Ruth and turned on the TV.

"...assassination group L.A.O led by Rox last name unknown has been causing a ruckus to gang leaders and other assassination groups. He has had a very colorful career..." The TV went on about how deadly this Rox man was. Her words were drowned out by my own heartbeat speeding up. He had jet black hair, a scar along his jaw, blue eyes that seemed to pierce my soul, and very kissable lips. I froze. 'The fuck?! You're not gay. He's just a very attractive man.' I thought before turning off the TV.

I walked down the hallway to my daughter's room. Her bedroom door was open. "Good night Birdie." I whispered before closing the door shut. I walked into my room. My clothes laid on my bed.

I went and took a shower. When I finished I put on my boxers and black sweatpants before going to sleep. It took me a second to finally drift unconscious, but when I did, a certain assassin starred in my dreams.