Page 46 of Jax

“That’s a given,” Finn replies. “But what about this Psycho guy? We’re on his radar.”

Jax’s gaze flicks to me. “I haven’t figured that one out yet. The way I see it, he’ll probably come for Sadie...at least for updates. She’s not going back to him though.”

“He won’t let me stay here,” I whisper. “I’ve been here long enough already. He’ll want something soon, and if I don’t follow through, there will be consequences. That’s how he operates. You know the streets, Jax. He’ll come for me here, or follow me somewhere else, if I don’t go back. I’m not bringing you into my shit again.”

“Except this time, I have a say in what happens,” Jax argues. “And my say is that your ass is staying here. Let him fucking come for you.”

I wrap my arms around myself. It’s evident he thinks Psycho is only a nuisance, someone he can take down easily. But you don’t become the mastermind of a bunch of blind followers without having some sway. “Take him seriously. Please,” I plead. “He can get people to do whatever he says. Trust me. He’s scary.”

Jax reaches out the hand with the knuckles that spell out hope and places it over mine. With that one word staring back at me, my stomach calms a little. He squeezes my fingers, and I gaze into welcoming eyes for the first time. He draws a sigh out of me but we’re interrupted by the doorbell.

All three of them whip out their phones, but Leenie is the first to bring up the camera footage. Her mouth drops. “What the fuck? Which one of you did this?” She stares accusingly at the two brothers.

Finn peers at Jax, and Leenie tracks his gaze until all of us are staring at the big man.

Her shoulders droop. “You called my brother? I thought you didn’t want him involved.”

I squint at the form on Leenie’s phone screen. The guy at the door doesn’t look like Cole. “He’s here only for protection. For you and Sadie.”

Leenie grumbles. “Of course. And I doubt you told him the truth. What are we worried about? A paper cut?”

Jax stands and shrugs. “I told him we had shady shit go down at the Ring and a security detail was needed for precaution. That’s all.”

Leenie gets up from the table, her chair rubbing against the tile. She goes to the door, and I look to them for an explanation.

“She doesn’t like to be treated like a fragile doll,” Finn supplies.

Can’t blame her.

In the next few seconds, a big guy fills the door frame. He rivals Jax in stature. A Dragon tattoo peeks above the collar of his black shirt. “Ninja. Nice to meet you.”

Leenie mumbles something under her breath and then says, “Yeah, this is only my brother’s number one security guy…for such a small problem.”

Ninja smiles, his chiseled jaw tight. “You know how your brother likes to be thorough.”

Finn’s brows pull together. “I thought Dempsey was the top security guy?”

The guard scoffs, and Leenie explains that the other guy is number two. Apparently, the last time they needed help, Ninja was preoccupied with Cole on other important business.

It seems like there’s a story there but no one offers to share.

“It’s for the best,” Finn says, tangling his fingers with Leenie’s.

“Yep. You guys continue what you always do, and Sadie and I will be here cooking dinner and keeping house.”

“That’s the spirit,” Finn grins.

She narrows her gaze at him but melts when Finn gives her an apologetic look. When Jax and Finn leave to go to Elite Boxing, Leenie closes the front door a little too hard and continues to slam things around the house for several minutes while Ninja takes up residence near the front door.

Well, this ought to be fun.

20

Leenie acts like we’re weaving baskets all day like good little womenfolk when instead we’re watching Netflix. Every five minutes or so, she sighs like the whole weight of the world is on her shoulders. The sneering glances she directs toward the window where Ninja is now standing on the front porch are enough to keep me from saying anything. Finn wasn’t kidding. She hates everything about this which only makes guilt settle like a brick in my stomach. The only reason her brother’s guard is here is because of me. If only I hadn’t come here that first day...

I canWhat if?all day long but I would’ve done anything Psycho told me. Fearing him has become a pastime. It turns out, as strong as I’d like to think I am, I can only take so much shit until I hit my limit.

Leenie’s phone rings, and she glances at it on the couch before sitting upright. “It’s the hospital.” My stomach twists as she answers. After several moments, her gaze flicks to me. “No, she’s not here.” I narrow my gaze. Obviously, she’s talking about me. She stands on her feet and starts to pace, her face paling. “Clive...” A second later, her mouth pops open, and she stares at the screen. “He hung up on me.”

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