About fifty minutes later, in the bathroom, Selina gently scrubbed Axel's hair with both hands. Black blood and grime ran from his scalp down her arms, making her frown.
"You clearly have simpler ways to kill people, but you insist on making a mess of yourself. Do you think that's cool?" she said, grabbing the showerhead to rinse off the stains that had reached her chest. She didn't want who-knows-what all over her body.
Axel took the showerhead from her, smiling as he helped rinse her off. "Cool? Like a gladiator. Blood and chaos might gross some people out, but they're tense, babe. Full of tension."
"You mean sexual tension, don't you? So self-absorbed," Selina shot back, turning away as Axel rinsed her lower back.
Just then, her ears twitched. "Axel, someone's in the office. More than one person, judging by the footsteps." She grabbed Axel's hand to steady her wobbly legs and stopped him from continuing his advances.
Axel squeezed her lower belly and nodded. "Oswald's surgery is done, and Victor Zsasz brought Fish back. Makes sense. He went there with tanks and armored vehicles. Any gang worth their salt would've fled."
He patted her firmly on the bottom. "Hurry up and finish. Don't waste time."
"Are you sure I'm the only one wasting time?" Selina retorted, turning back to punch him lightly in the chest.
Axel took the blow with his pecs, then ruffled her hair playfully. "Yes, yes, we're both wasting time. Want me to make them wait longer?"
"Let's stop here for today. I'm not in the mood. Even after you helped me relieve some stress, I still want to see Liv off."
Selina quickly lathered Axel, turning him into a frothy cat in minutes. Axel slipped into his bathrobe first, walking toward the bathroom door. Selina, drying her hair, pursed her lips as if wanting to say something but held back until Axel opened the door.
"Axel! she finally whispered. "I told you, before you, I'd never been with a man. I thought you'd at least ask how it felt, or if there was any difference."
"Why would I ask? Haven't I already felt it? You were amazing, kitty," Axel replied without turning his head.
Selina stiffened but rolled her eyes. "Damn it, I meant my feelings! I thought I only liked women, but… being with a man wasn't bad. At least you… occasionally made me feel great."
"Occasionally, huh? Then I'll only occasionally make you feel good!" Axel snapped from the doorway, annoyed.
Selina paused, then laughed, stepping forward to throw herself into his arms. She buried her face in his chest and cried uncontrollably. Axel sighed, gently patting her back.
"Cry it out. After that, it's over. Once those gunmen handle Liv's funeral, we'll go lay flowers. The living rarely see sunlight, but the dead are always surrounded by flowers. This damn life's unfair, haha."
Axel lifted Selina onto the dressing table and dried her hair personally.
Not long after, Axel and Selina, both in matching bathrobes, entered the office. Axel sat in the boss's chair, gesturing to the others to take seats. Selina went to the liquor cabinet, smashed it open, and elegantly pulled out several bottles of fine wine.
Victor Zsasz sneered, carrying a bottle and standing behind Axel just as he had beside Falcone. Fish Mooney's frown sharpened. Why, even now, was that bald man still above her? Falcone was gone, but Victor's position hadn't changed. Absolutely unfair.
For a moment, Fish and Victor's sharp gazes clashed like weapons. Victor bared his vampire-like fangs in challenge.
Oswald, sweating, approached the sofa and chuckled. "Respected Madam Voss, could you hand me a soft stool? My leg can't take it anymore." He gave her an imploring look.
Axel waved lightly. "He's calling you Madam Voss. Just help him out."
"No way I'm your Madam. Want me to die mysteriously like the others?" Selina replied coldly, sitting further away.
Yet she caught Victor, Fish, and Oswald all staring at her. She jiggled her leg unconsciously. "Fine!" She stood, head high, and walked to the stool, picking it up.
"Considering you lost a leg, say thank you!" she added, tossing the stool in front of Oswald.
"Thank you, Madam!" Oswald said gratefully, glancing proudly at Fish. Fish's eyes blazed. In Falcone's era, Oswald wouldn't have dared provoke her like this. This new era…
Suppressing her anger, Fish approached Axel's desk, taking documents from a box. "Boss Wraith, though this is our first meeting, I've long heard of your prowess from Liv. I have no intention of defying you. I've brought all my assets to personally offer to you. Even if they don't satisfy you, it's everything I have. I hope you can appreciate it."
Fish pushed the pile of assets toward Axel, enduring her heartache. Axel merely waved his hand.
Seeing this, Oswald clapped. "Falcone fled in disarray…" He paused when he noticed Selina standing, adjusting his words. "After Falcone wisely left, who does the family business belong to? Legally, Madam Voss inherits everything. Boss Voss is the undisputed master of the family. Including your assets, they already belong to Axel Voss. Using them to please him? Are you crazy, Fish Mooney?"
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