Page 97 of Rematch
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Anything I have to do to keep Jayden safe.”
My brows pinched together at the determination in his tone.
He glanced at me, and his lips pulled into a deeper frown. “I know you’re probably wondering why I care so much. Everyone else does. It’s just…I couldn’t…I couldn’t save Jordan. Once upon a time, he was like my brother. And I couldn’t protect him. Now, I have another chance to do better. To be the brother I should’ve always been for Jayden. Is that…is that so wrong?”
“No,” I answered.
“I’ve made a lot of wrong decisions in my life, done a lot of bad things, but for once I’m just…I’m trying to do somethingright…something good…you know?
I reached for his hand and threaded my fingers through his. Offering a soft squeeze, I said, “Your mistakes haven’t made you a bad person, Max. You’re not doing this to right wrongs. You’re doing this because you care. Because you’re a good person. You need to let yourself believe that.”
He looked at me, eyes glassy with tears. “You still think I’m a good person?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
“I never stopped.”
His brows twitched as his face threatened to fall, revealing all the sadness hiding beneath his anger. He wiggled his hand out of mine and pulled me into a hug, holding me tight - like he never wanted to let go.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him sink into me. Let his tears fall on my shoulders. Let the fire protecting his soul lower its walls.
I couldn’t fix everything he was facing, but I could be the one place where none of it could reach him.
Chapter 40
Max
“Fix your face,” I scolded Jayden as he climbed into my car, scowling like I’d just dragged him out of bed.
He’s been agitated since the other night when my men came by to relocate him and his mother. While his mother appreciated the gesture, Jayden wouldn’t leave without a fight. Tysir and Wesley had to call me to drag his ass out by his hair. I really didn’t care that he was mad. I’d rather him be angry with me than dead.
Ignoring me, he grabbed the door handle and slammed it shut.
“Don’t make me fuck you up,” I warned him. “Just because I’m taking you out tonight doesn’t mean I won’t pop you.”
“Stop treating me like I’m a damn child,” he muttered, crossing his arms. “I’m eighteen! I can take care of my own shit!”
“No, you’re not. If Elias and his crew roll up on you again-”
“I can take a beating.”
“And if they’re looking to do more than beat the shit out of you - what are you going to do then?”
“I can get my hands on a gun.”
My hands tightened around the steering wheel at the thought. “And you’ll be able to pull the trigger if you need to?”
“Yes,” Jayden replied, his voice full of conviction. “I’m not an innocent little kid. I’m perfectly capable of protecting myself. And if you were so worried about that, then you should be taking me to a gun range. You could be teaching me-”
“No.”
“Why not? Our last name alone already puts my foot halfway through the door. It’d be good if-”
“I said no,” I said, my voice firm. “You don’t need to be any more involved than you already are.”
Jayden turned away, trying to hide the frown forming on his lips.
Not that I gave a fuck. He may not like it, but I was only doing what was best for him.
