Page 18 of Jaxon

Rachel closed her eyes, a sob catching in her throat. She was drowning with no way out, the darkness closing in around her once more.

“Get out,” Jaxon growled, his hand dropping to rest on the handle of his knife. “Before this gets ugly.”

Dom held his gaze for a long moment before giving a sharp nod. But as he turned away, he looked back at Rachel, his eyes glinting with menace. “This isn’t over.”

Rachel slumped back into her seat as Dom strode out of the diner. She was trapped, caught between the two men and the rival clubs they represented. The rules that governed their world would dictate the outcome, rules written in blood and violence.

Jaxon slid into the booth beside Rachel, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

Rachel looked up at him, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I never should have gotten involved with you.”

“Don’t say that.” Jaxon cupped her cheek, his touch gentle. “I’m not letting you go that easily.”

She closed her eyes, leaning into his warmth. He made her feel safe, as if the darkness couldn’t reach her when he was near. But it was an illusion. As long as Dom and the Wolverines were out there, danger would follow.

Rachel looked around for Sarah, but she had left during the debacle between the two men and she doubted she’d see her again.

Jaxon paid for her meal and guided Rachel outside to his bike. Night had fallen, shadows clinging to every corner. Rachel climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. The rumble of the engine vibrated through her as they rode off into the night.

When they arrived at the clubhouse, Rachel followed Jaxon inside. Most of the other members were already there, the air thick. All eyes turned to Rachel as she entered, judging and assessing. She wanted to shrink away, to disappear, but she forced herself to lift her chin. She wouldn’t show them her fear.

“The Wolverines won’t back down,” JT said, his face grim. “Dom’s gonna come after her to get to you. We’re gonna have a full-on war on our hands.”

Jaxon’s jaw tightened, rage simmering in his eyes. “I couldn’t go after him in that diner. They were too many bystanders. We need to catch them away from the public. No one threatens what’s mine.”

Rachel’s heart twisted at his words. She didn’t want to be the reason blood was shed, the catalyst that plunged them into violence. But it was too late to turn back now. She had chosen this path, and she would walk it to the end.

11

The living room was dim, the only light filtering in through dusty blinds. Jaxon sat with his elbows on his knees, staring at the floorboards as if they held answers to questions he didn’t dare ask.

Rachel watched him from the armchair, a knot of worry forming in her stomach. His broad shoulders were tense under his faded t-shirt, his hands clasped so tightly his knuckles had turned white. Something was wrong.

She leaned forward and placed her hand on his arm. He flinched at her touch before relaxing into it, but his gaze remained fixed on the floor. “Talk to me,” she said.

For a long moment, there was only silence. Then he shook his head and ran a hand over his beard, scraping against the rough bristles. “Nothin’ you need to worry about.” His voice was gruff, but she could hear the strain beneath it.

“That’s not good enough.” She gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “We’re in this together now. You can tell me anything.”

He sighed and raised his head to look at her at last. His blue eyes were troubled, shadows lurking in their depths. “Somethin’s brewing. Marcus got word they’re plannin’ to make another move into our territory.”

Her heart quickened. She knew how much blood had already been spilled over turf wars and how much more would be shed if outright war broke out.

“We’ll handle it,” Jaxon continued, reaching up to cup her cheek. The warmth of his calloused palm was strangely comforting. “Ain’t nothin’ for you to worry about. I won’t let nothin’ happen to you.”

She leaned into his touch, covering his hand with her own. His words were meant to reassure her, but they only amplified her concern. The Wolverines were dangerous, and if they were encroaching on the Green Devils’ territory, violence was inevitable. She couldn’t lose Jaxon, not now when they had only just found each other. She would do whatever it took to keep him safe, even if it meant stepping into a world she had tried her whole life to avoid.

“Rachel, I can’t have you gettin’ hurt. I won’t allow it.”

“I don’t need your permission.” Rachel lifted her chin, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. “I’m here because I choose to be, not because you allow me to be. We’re partners, Jaxon, and that means facing difficulties together, not shutting each other out.”

“Bein’ together puts you in danger,” Jaxon growled. “If somethin’ happened to you because of me...”

“Life comes with risks.” Rachel placed her hands on either side of his face, forcing him to look at her. “You’re worth those risks to me. I love you, and we’ll get through this like we have everything else. Together.”

Jaxon stared at her for a long moment, the fight slowly draining from his eyes. He leaned down and kissed her, a kiss full of unspoken emotion that made her heart ache with love for this complicated, vulnerable man.

“I don’t deserve you,” he said roughly. “But I ain’t givin’ you up without a fight.”

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