Page 102 of Second Chance Mates

“Okay,” she rasps.

I place my hands on her cheeks and bring her forehead to my lips. I leave a simple kiss that lasts for a couple of seconds. “Let me know when you’re ready, and we’ll do it. Together.”

Her head tilts slowly, and I see a wave of concern past her eyes. “Sooner rather than later. Otherwise, I’ll end up overthinking it.”

“Then, let’s head out now.” I entwine our fingers. “You’ve got this, baby. I’m going to be right by your side every step of the way.”

34

AVA

Jaxon holds my hand the entire walk to the warehouse I didn’t even know existed. Nausea creeps up my sternum, and I attempt to push it away without any luck. Oh, God. What am I doing?

His eyes focus on the side of my face, giving my fingers a light squeeze. “You don’t have to do this,” he says carefully. “We can turn back. It’s okay to change your mind.”

Once the guards come into view, I realise how protected the building is. It gives me a small sense of security. I pause before the door and inhale so deeply that I almost fall over. Jaxon stabilises me and kisses the back of my hand.

“If you want to leave at any point, we can,” he reminds me, and I flash him a forced smile.

Inside, I’m a wreck. Blood roars in my ears, and my mouth is bone dry.

Every time I consider walking away, I remember what Gemma told me earlier about how closing this door with a firm slam could help my recovery. I know she will be there if it triggers me—Jaxon, too. I’m in safe hands. I have been since he brought me here; I just didn’t want to believe it at the time.

“They’re going to be behind bars and chained to the walls. They won’t be able to get anywhere near you,” he says, but I can barely focus on what he’s saying.

Everything makes my head spin, and I’m pushing down the bile that crawls up my throat. “I want to get this over and done with.”

“Okay, baby,” he says.

I let him guide me into the warehouse and down to the basement. In each corner, there is a guard. Jaxon nods at them, and they greet him with his title. We stop behind a door, and he gives me one last glance. “You ready?”

“Yes.”

He pushes the door open with a quick shove. I step inside after him and find myself facing large metal bars and the grimiest dungeon I’ve ever seen. The smell of sewage makes nausea curl inside me like a rotten egg. But the thought quickly passes when my eyes fall on Lucien.

I’m frozen in place for a few seconds until Jaxon squeezes my hand. Breathe, he reminds me. Breathe, Ava.

I do as he says because I am incapable of a single thought right now.

My eyes flick over Lucien as his legs are chained to the wall at his ankles, but there is a large flow of blood trickling down his thigh, a wound so big I can see his insides.

I finally focus on his face to find his dark eyes in tight slits, aimed straight at me. My knees wobble at the intensity of his stare, but he can’t hurt me from here. He can’t hurt me ever again.

My free hand balls into a fist to stop it from shaking. I don’t want them to see my struggle. I am strong. I can do this.

After a few moments of composing myself, I finally look over at Damon and heave at the sight of his face. What makes it worse is that he has the audacity to smirk in my direction. My chest tightens, and I pray I don’t start to panic—not here. Not in front of them.

Jaxon gives my hand another squeeze, and I love that he keeps reassuring me that he’s here. I’m not alone. My lips part, and I release a shuddering breath as I focus on the third person in the cell.

I frown when I see a small boy bundled up in a ball in the corner with his head tucked into his knees. My heart cracks. Evan?

“You vile creatures are lucky to even still be alive right now,” Jaxon says suddenly, which makes me jump out of my skin. He smooths over the skin on my hand with his thumb once more.

Damon smirks with his scarred lips. “Came for another visit, sweetheart?”

I hold my breath. Jaxon steps forward. “Keep talking, and we’ll see how long I can keep you alive while I carve you apart.”

My eyes hold onto Damon’s stare, and I shake my head. No. No. He isn’t going to taunt me. He isn’t going to make jokes on his deathbed.

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