Chapter 2016

"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, some with scabs and some still 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.

"Jameson Schmidt sent assassins after me and Amber. Later, they set a fire around the villa to burn us alive." Axel clenched his jaw when he recalled the