Page 11 of Switch

The corners of my mouth tug into a smile. Straight to the point, no fluff. Exactly how I imagine he’d talk.

Me: Hi. I’m good, thanks. How about you?

The reply comes quickly.

Jax: I’m fine. Just wanted to make sure that guy didn’t bother you again.

I let out a breath, my fingers pausing over the keyboard. The thought of Mike showing up again makes my stomach churn, but knowing Jax is checking in settles the nerves just a little.

Me: No, no sign of him. And thanks again for last night. You didn’t have to step in like that.

Jax: Didn’t have to, but I wasn’t going to stand there and watch that asshole put his hands on you.

I bite my lip, warmth spreading through me at his no-nonsense tone.

Me: Still, I really appreciate it. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been there.

Jax: You’d have handled it. I can tell you’re tougher than you look. But I’m glad I was there.

A laugh slips out, and I shake my head. He’s not wrong—Mike didn’t know who he was dealing with when he grabbed me—but having Jax there made all the difference.

Me: Well, it’s nice to know someone has my back. That guy was a nightmare.

Jax: Yeah, I could tell. If he shows up again, you call me. I’ll take care of it.

My stomach flutters at the firmness of his words, the way they leave no room for doubt.

Me: Thanks, Jax. Hopefully, it won’t come to that.

Jax: Hopefully. But don’t hesitate if it does.

I sit back on the couch, staring at the screen. He didn’t have to reach out, and he definitely didn’t have to offer to help if Mike came back. But here he is, doing both.

Me: You’re a good guy, you know that?

Jax: I’m just a guy who doesn’t like seeing people get hurt.

Me: Well, either way, thank you. It means a lot.

Jax: Anytime.

As I set the phone down, my chest feels lighter, and my thoughts keep drifting back to him. The way he stood between me and Mike, the calm way he handled everything, and now, this.

Jax isn’t just a good guy. He’s different. Solid. And for the first time in a long time, I find myself wondering what it would be like to know more about him.

FIVE

JAX

The low humof conversation fills the room as we settle around the long, battered table. The carnival’s been a headache for most of us, but things have finally quieted down over the last couple of days—at least enough for us to focus on club business again.

Mason sits at the head of the table, arms crossed, listening as Tank and Piston run through the latest on security. Dagger’s beside him, casually flipping a pen between his fingers, unreadable as always. Rev is focused, jotting down notes like he always does, while Blade leans back in his chair, looking way too entertained—probably already thinking of ways to stir up shit.

“The crowd’s been manageable,” Piston says, his voice gruff. “Couple of drunks we had to deal with, but nothing major.”

“Yeah,” Tank adds. “People seem to like having us around. Makes them feel safer.”

Mason nods, his expression unreadable. “Good. That’s the goal. The mayor’s been singing our praises, but I don’t want us letting our guard down. We’re not here to play nice—we’re here to keep this town in line.”

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