Page 58 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

Connor’s pale eyes fix on me again, that unnerving gaze that seems to see more than it should. “No,” he says simply. “I can’t.”

“Then we’re agreed,” Stone says. “We move together. Get to the facility, neutralize Heath, find Ren and Hailey.”

“And anyone who gets in our way?” Declan asks, a hint of eagerness in his voice that makes my skin crawl.

Jax’s expression is cold. “Do what you do best, Ashgrave.”

We exit the cramped back room, filing into the dim hallway past the main floor of the club. The contrast is jarring—out there, music pumps through speakers, dancers spin aroundpoles, patrons drink and laugh. None of them aware of what’s happening just beyond their peripheral vision.

A bouncer gives us a questioning look as our unusual group moves through the service corridor, but one glance from Riordan has him stepping back, eyes averted.

Outside, the night air is sharp with coming rain. Two black SUVs idle in the alley behind the club, engines running. The Ashgraves move toward one while we head to the other.

“One more thing,” Riordan says, pausing before climbing into their vehicle. “This Heath woman. What makes you so certain she’ll still be at the facility?”

It’s a good question. After what Ren told us, Heath must know her operation is compromised.

“Because she’s arrogant,” Jax answers. “And because she’s cleaning house. Ren escaped, but there will be others who need to be silenced.”

“And if she’s already gone?” Ellis asks.

Stone’s expression darkens. “Then we’ll hunt her down. But we start with what we know.”

Riordan nods, seemingly satisfied with the answer. “We’ll follow you,” he says to Jax. “Lead the way, Ironwood.”

As Jax leads us toward our SUV, I catch a moment of stillness in his expression when he thinks no one is watching. His shoulders drop just slightly, the mask of confidence slipping to reveal a raw vulnerability I’ve rarely glimpsed.

“Jax?” I ask quietly.

He straightens immediately, the pack leader returning. “I’m fine, Finn.” His gaze sweeps over me, protective and worried. “How’s your head?”

“Better than yours, I think,” I reply. “What’s going on in there?”

For a moment, I think he’ll deflect again—it’s what he does, carrying burdens silently to spare the rest of us. Instead, he exhales slowly, raking a hand through his hair.

“I’ve failed you all,” he says quietly. “Failed the pack.”

The admission stuns me. “What are you talking about?”

His eyes meet mine, and I’m struck by the pain in them. “For two and a half years, I’ve been trying to hold everything together. Trying to keep Stone from spiraling, trying to give Ren space to heal, trying to…” His voice breaks. “Trying to be strong for you.”

I reach for his hand, and he allows the contact, fingers curling around mine.

“But I didn’t see what was happening right in front of me,” he continues. “Didn’t see how isolated we’d all become. How much Ren was carrying alone. How much you were hurting.” His jaw tightens. “And now Hailey—our Hailey—is paying the price for my failures.”

“This isn’t your fault,” I insist.

He shakes his head. “I’m the pack leader, Finn. It’s my job to protect all of you.”

“And it’s our job to protect each other,” I counter. “That’s what pack means.”

Something shifts in his expression. He just looks at me for a long moment as we stop at the SUV. “You’re right,” he says softly. His fingers tighten around mine. “You’re right. I won’t make that mistake again.”

The determination in his voice, the fierce protectiveness—this is the Jax I fell in love with.

“We’ll get her back,” he promises. “And then we start rebuilding. All of us.”

I nod, believing him with every fiber of my being. Because when Jax sets his mind to something, nothing in this world can stand in his way.

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