Axel had already started regaining consciousness when he began to hear familiar voices arguing quietly around him.
He recognized them immediately. He didn't need to open his eyes to know who they belonged to.
What confused him wasn't the voices themselves, but what they were saying.
He had just heard Dallas ask Ivan if he was afraid that Axel might want him back.
Back?
What did that mean?
Did that mean Dallas wanted him?
The question hit him so suddenly that it almost pulled him back into unconsciousness. His thoughts became heavy and unsteady. He couldn't even bring himself to open his eyes. He wasn't ready to face whatever was happening in that room.
He stayed still, pretending he was still unconscious, unsure whether he should reveal that he was awake.
Before he could decide, he heard the door open.
"What are you doing here with him?" a girl's voice asked sharply.
Axel recognized it immediately. It was Aria. And there was no question that she was speaking to Ivan.
