Page 48 of Queen of Wrath

Jax was so lost in thought that he didn't realize Emma had entered the room until she was standing right before him with her head tilted at him as if questioning his sanity.

He shot up out of his chair the moment he noticed. “Good morning, Emma! I have an errand to run today, and wondered if you would accompany me.”

Emma looked around confused. “Of course, whatever you need, but don't you think you should be taking one of your assistants with you? I'm not sure what kind of help I’ll be to you.”

“You'll be plenty help, don't worry,” Jax reassured her.

The truth was, he didn't really need any assistance, but he wanted some time alone with her. He wanted to talk about the other night when he’d showed up on her doorstep on the precipice of death.

It had been days since that happened, and he still hadn't found an opportune time to bring it up.

Jax and Emma left the office together, but they didn’t say a word to one another until they were outside the city.

“The task you needed me for was all the way out here?” Emma asked, understandably apprehensive.

“If I'm being honest, it was just an excuse to talk to you.” Jax turned to Emma, catching her gaze and stopping her in her tracks. “I wanted to thank you properly for saving my life the other night. You really didn't have to, and you could have turned me away, but you didn't.”

“I would have done it for anyone. Helping others is part of why I became a Potionist in the first place.”

Jax could tell Emma was speaking straight from her heart. It only made him fall more deeply for her. “You are the most singular woman I've ever met.”

Emma tucked her head down nervously, unsure of what to say.

“You don't have to respond. Just know that I'm here for you, whatever you need.” Jax reached out and clutched Emma's hand in his.

She remained completely still, as if she didn’t welcome his touch.

He realized this and released her. “Let's continue then—we're almost there.”

Jax would be lying if he’d said her reaction wasn't disheartening. He’d never had to do anything to get women to fall for him. It had always been a given… But Emma was different.

He didn’t know how or when it’d happened exactly, but slowly, she’d been consuming him.

And the worst part was, she didn't even know it.

It wasn't too long before they arrived at the police station.

“What are we doing here?” Emma asked, but seemed to be a lot more relaxed now that we were around other people.

“We're picking up one of my uncle's stupid shifters. He managed to get himself arrested, and I’ve been given the honor of bailing him out.” Jax rolled his eyes.

Jax approached the counter and talked to the receptionist while Emma looked around, seeming somewhat unsettled again.

I wish I could get her to open up to me more. I've known her for months now, but she's still such a mystery.

“Yes, I have him right here,” the receptionist confirmed, opening the shifter’s file. “It looks like his charges are grand larceny, as well as distributing illegal contraband across city lines.” He studied Jax over the rim of his spectacles, and scoffed, “I don't see this man getting out any time in this century. Sorry.”

“You must be new here, so let me explain. This man is under the employment of Diesel Ransom. Diesel Ransom’s men don't get arrested.” Jax tried to speak quietly so Emma wouldn't overhear. The last thing he wanted was to have her know that he was shaking down the legal system in order to bend the rules for his uncle.

The receptionist looked at Jax, unmoved by anything he’d just said.

“How about you go get your supervisor for me? I'd also like to speak to the arresting officer.” Jax narrowed his eyes at the receptionist, willing him to comply.

Who knows what Diesel will do to me this time if I fail to get his man out? Not that punching a hole in someone’s chest wasn’t one of the worst things one could do to a person.

“I’ll go get them for you.” The receptionist had a twinkle of annoyance in his eyes as he turned to leave.

Officer of the law or not, this guy clearly doesn’t understand the terror that will rain down on his head if he defies Diesel.

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