"He's my ex. He wanted to spook you after we spotted you. It's his way of being protective." Hartley chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry. Axel was just trying to scare you a little."

Not that he didn't also likely threaten with things he was into. Axel had very varied tastes. Hartley took a deep breath once they were outside, wrapping his arms around himself. Should not have given Axel his jacket. "Don't let this ruin everything. I don't come here often and I won't want to get revenge on you next time, so I likely won't mark up your neck just for the hell of it."