Page 48 of Find Me

I make quick work of washing the dishes as Jax makes another pot of coffee, the smell filling my apartment quickly before we sit together on my couch in silence, watching the sky change from gray to pink and orange as the sun rises over the city outside.

“I need to leave today to take care of some business.”

“You mean Rhett?” I ask accusingly.

“Yes, Rhett,” he says, the name sounding like poison on his lips. “I won’t kill him, love, but he’s going to experience some of the pain he caused you, and that is not up for debate.”

I sip my coffee anxiously, conflicting emotions swirling around me like a tornado, the damage only palpable to me. I know that I don’t want to be responsible for anyone’s suffering, trying to convince myself that Jax’s plan goes against everything I stand for. But a darker, more sinister part of me wants Rhett to feel every drop of pain he caused me.

I take a sip of my coffee to ground myself, the hot liquid settling the storm of emotions inside of me.

“I can live with that. If you promise you won’t kill him or cause any… permanent… damage.” I try to negotiate.

“Promise, love.” Jax smiles. “And while I’m gone, Ryan will be here.”

“I don’t need a babysitter Jax,” I say, our recent conversation fresh in my mind.

“Debatable.” He smiles. “But in all seriousness, I know how men think, and I will not let there be any opportunity for one of Rhett’s friends to think they can come over here and get revenge for what has happened to him. People know he’s missing by now, and it’s only a matter of time before they connect the dots, or maybe they already have.”

I nod quietly. He has a point. I think to myself.

“Fine, Ryan can stay here just in case.” I cave, not willing to fight against something I know makes the most sense.

“You’ll like him, he’s like a Labrador,” Jax says absentmindedly.

“A Labrador?” I cock an eyebrow at him.

“Keep him fed and watered, tell him he’s a good boy, and he’ll be happy.” He smiles.

Jax looks at me, and a laugh escapes his mouth as he notices the look on my face.

“What?” he asks.

“I don’t know what I thought your friends would be like, but the word Labrador definitely isn’t something I expected.”

He smiles, and shrugs in response. “I surround myself with good people, love, we all just happen to have walked some interesting paths in life. Ryan is as happy-go-lucky as they come, but don’t mistake his pleasant demeanor with softness. He can be cold-blooded when he needs to, and if he reaches that point even I struggle to rein him in. He’s one of the most loyal people I know and has had my back since we were kids.”

So, Ryan has known Jax for a long time then, at least that would give us something to talk about.

“Ryan values what I value,” Jax continues, “so I have no doubt he’ll keep you safe while I’m not here.”

“And then you’ll be… releasing Rhett when you’re done?”

“If I must.” He chips back.

“And how do you know he won’t try anything stupid?” I ask, fear slowly rising to the surface.

“After the beating Ryan already gave him, and what I’m about to go do, he would be a very, very, stupid man to go anywhere near you again.”

I nod, tears welling in my eyes as the fear melts away at Jax’s desire to protect me, to keep me safe.

He leans into me. “Tell me, love, what’s upsetting you?”

“I’m just not used to anyone being like this with me… No one has ever gone out of their way to look after me, and it feels… nice.” I wipe away a tear as it runs down my cheek.

“Like I said, you have me wrapped around your finger and I will always be here for you.” He vows.

We finish our coffees quietly, the sun now bright in the morning sky.

---