Page 19 of Jaxon

Rachel smiled, brushing her thumb over his lower lip. “Good. I’d expect nothing less.”

As she walked down the front steps of Jaxon’s house, Rachel noticed a woman with kind blue eyes sitting in one of the rocking chairs lining the wraparound porch.

“Afternoon,” the woman said. “I’m Daphne.”

“Rachel.” She walked over and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Daphne. I’m actually Jaxon’s...girlfriend.”

“Well, aren’t you a pretty little thing?” Daphne shook Rachel’s hand with a firm grip. “Jaxon’s a good boy. Bit rough around the edges, but he’s got a heart of gold under all those tattoos.” She chuckled, the sound warm and throaty. “How’d a nice girl like you end up with the president of the Green Devils?”

Rachel smiled, already charmed by the older woman’s playful candor. “It’s a long story. Jaxon saved my life, and I saved his soul, I think.”

“Is that so?” Daphne’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Well, sit down then, honey. I’ve got time for a good story, and something tells me yours will be worth hearing.”

Rachel laughed and settled into the rocking chair beside Daphne’s. “All right, if you’re sure you want to hear it.”

“I’m sure.” Daphne patted Rachel’s hand. “Now start from the beginning, sugar.”

Rachel began to speak, finding it easy to open up to Daphne. There was a warmth and wisdom to the woman that instantly put her at ease, and Rachel got the sense that she’d found a friend.

As Rachel shared the story of how she and Jaxon first met, Daphne listened with rapt attention, her foot tapping in time to the creak of her rocking chair. A sense of peace settled over Rachel, easing the tension that had been coiled inside her ever since Jaxon revealed the threat brewing in the club. For the first time, she felt like everything would be all right.

Rachel glanced at her watch and was surprised to see several hours had passed. “Oh my, I should get going. Jaxon will wonder where I’ve gotten to.”

“Nonsense,” Daphne said. “That man can wait. We’re not done visiting yet. Besides, it’ll do him good to stew in his own worry for a bit.”

Rachel laughed. “You’re probably right about that. He does tend to fret.”

“All men do, honey. It’s in their nature.” Daphne patted Rachel’s hand again.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, shadows lengthening across the porch, but still Rachel remained. She and Daphne had moved on to lighter topics, swapping stories and bonding over shared interests.

By the time Rachel finally stood to leave, she felt happier and lighter than she had in weeks. “Thank you, Daphne,” she said, squeezing the woman’s hand. “I really needed this.”

“Any time, sugar.” Daphne patted her cheek. “You come find me whenever you’re feeling low. I’m always here.”

“I will,” Rachel promised. She headed for her car with a smile.

The cheerful ringtone cut through the quiet. She dug the phone from her purse, expecting to see Jaxon’s name on the display.

Instead, it was Marcus. Heart skipping a beat, Rachel answered. “Marcus? What’s wrong?” His tense tone set her nerves on edge.

“Rach, I need your help,” Marcus said, his words tumbling out in a rush. “There’s been an accident at a warehouse on Ridge Road. Can you bring your medical kit?”

“Oh god, of course!” Fear and adrenaline spiked Rachel’s pulse as she hurried to her car. “I’m on my way.”

Marcus hissed. “Hurry, Rach.”

“I’m coming right now.” Rachel slammed her car door shut and cranked the engine, peeling out of the lot. Her hands shook around the steering wheel as she navigated toward Ridge Road.

Rachel’s mind raced as fast as her car, thoughts tumbling over each other in a frenzied rush. She needed to stay calm and focused.

12

Rachel pulled up outside the warehouse, her knuckles white as her hands gripped the steering wheel. Her heart pounded, torn between the desire to help and her deep-seated need for safety. The danger of this world Jaxon lived in went against everything she knew, yet here she was, walking into the lion’s den once more.

The thick metal door creaked open and the scent of blood hit her like a wave. Her stomach churned, but she steeled her nerves.

Inside, a young man lay motionless on a table, a dark red stain seeping across his abdomen. The room swam before her eyes and she took a sharp breath, forcing the nausea back down.

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