Page 45 of Jax

She scoffs. “Yeah, right. You’re only saying that because you two are fucking.”

“Ew,” Finn whines from the sink.

“We’re not fucking,” Jax says, voice like thunder. The whole mood in the kitchen shifts. Whether he notices it or not, he goes back to eating his oatmeal like it’s his only job for today. After a few minutes go by, Finn and Leenie join us at the table. Jax sets his finished bowl aside. “So, what’s the family meeting about?”

“Oh, let’s see,” Finn says sarcastically. “What else could it be about?” He tracks his gaze toward me. “We have to figure out what we’re going to do.”

“I’ve got it handled,” Jax shrugs. “If he tries to touch her, I’ll kill him.”

Finn blinks at his brother. He moves his gaze to me then back to him. Leenie has to cut in. “I don’t think you’re the killing type, Jax. We should get my brother involved.”

I laugh at that. “The junior gang banger? No offense but he didn’t look like much of a killer either. Not that anyone needs to be killed,” I add in.

Leenie laughs. She laughs so hard she grips the table in front of her. Both Jax and Finn share amused glances too. I stare at all of them until Leenie wipes tears from her eyes. “I’m not going to tell him you said that even though it would be funny as hell if I did. I mean, funny for me. Not for you.”

I continue glaring at the three of them. It’s evident I’m missing something big. Finn’s full-on smiling, and Jax has a smirk. The latter sighs though. “We’re not bringing your brother into this.”

“I know you hate that he helps but you have to admit, hedoeshelp.”

Jax rolls his eyes in response.

I lean back in my chair and fold my arms. “Why are we talking about some low-level gang guy? He won’t be able to help.”

Leenie smiles. “Cole’s not just a Dragon, he’stheDragon.”

My brows pinch together. “He’s...?”

“The leader of the Dragons,” Finn states. “All Leenie has to do is point at someone, and he’ll kill them. The guy’s ruthless and loves his sister more than anything.”

I try to pick my jaw off the table. That guy? I met the leader of the Dragons in this house? Unbelievable.

Jax’s lips thin. “We don’t need Cole’s help.”

“Stop being dumb,” Finn argues.

“I’m handling it,” Jax growls, tossing his spoon back into his empty bowl. “Gang leaders have never helped anyone in this house.” He blinks at me before looking away. “Plus, killing Psycho isn’t nearly what he deserves. He needs to suffer first.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Leenie offers almost hesitantly. It’s so weird to hear her talk like that.

I tilt my head. “Your brother’s really the leader of the Dragons?” I gasp as a realization hits me. “Shit. He took K down?”

“Well, he had a little help,” Leenie says, placing her hand on Finn’s shoulder. “But yes, he has complete and utter control over the Dragons. You’re not friendless, Sadie.”

“So that’s how...” I gaze between the two brothers, several puzzle pieces clicking into place. “I figured you had to pay the Dragons to keep your businesses running in their territory like K made people do, but you’ve got an in. Smart move.”

“It’s not an in,” Finn says defensively. “I love Leenie.”

My chest restricts. Finn’s stare practically shrivels me. “I’m sorry, Finny. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“He knows you didn’t,” Leenie says, squeezing her boyfriend’s shoulder.

Finn looks away, and for a few seconds, he reminds me of the little boy he was when I left. It’s a sign that I don’t need to only fix things with Jax. I need to fix things with Finn, too. I took his brother away from him for a while. A brother he always looked up to. I smeared his name and put him in prison. He couldn’t have got out of that unscathed.

Again, the mountains Jax and I have to climb are filled with too many traps.

I push those thoughts away and focus on how to keep these guys out of Psycho’s path. I’m happy they have someone like Leenie’s brother on their side. That’ll make things easier.

“We have to protect the gym,” Jax says. “I say we tell the guys what happened to Clive so if anyone else is thinking that the grass looks greener over there, they won’t make the same mistake.”

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