Axel's POV

The hum of hospital machines and the sterile smell of antiseptic had faded into the background, but I could still feel the tension in the air as we left. My body was healing, but something was gnawing at me, something deeper than the bullet wound or the ache that lingered. It was the tension in Asher, the way he hadn’t relaxed even when the doctor gave me the all-clear. When he thought no one was watching, I could see it in the lines etched deep around his eyes.

The car ride back ...