Page 5 of Queen of Wrath

“Just making sure she remembers her place.” Chika leaned into one of her shoulders and smiled as if she was suddenly very proud of herself.

“Play nice, Chika. She's pivotal to this company’s future success. You don't have to worry about anything else. You're the only woman for me.” Jax tried to console her, but the look on Chika’s face told him that she didn't believe him.

It was like she knew he had been with other women before, but she kept quiet because Jax always came running back to her after he got bored of them.

Now it was his turn to be uncomfortable pinned by that seek-and-destroy stare of hers. He stood up and began collecting his cloak with renewed purpose before his face could give anything away. “I'll be off then. I'll make sure to be home for dinner.”

“You’d better, or else you'll have a disappointed child again,” Chika added, crossing her arms at him.

Jax knew that always working late was damaging to his family, but what choice did he have? More than anything, he wanted to spend as much time as he could with his daughter, Diamond, but he also wanted to be able to give his little family the life he never had.

“I promise. I won't be late this time.”

Jax stepped out of his company building and stood before it, looking up at the magnitude of the sheer wealth it represented.

This was the life he knew he deserved, but in the same breath, Jax still found it hard to believe that he was right where he’d always wanted to be. He couldn’t deny that even though his wish had come true, it wasn't exactly what he’d thought it would be like.

Then why does it still feel like I should work so hard at keeping up appearances?

He’d thought this position would fit him like a glove. Instead, it only seemed to wrap around him ever tighter, forcing him to continue cutting at pieces of himself just to keep from feeling too strangled.

He’d given up so much to get here… Sometimes I wonder if?—

Jax quickly shook off the thought as he turned his back to his towering building, one of the tallest ones in the city. Letting out a heavy sigh, he continued on toward his mother's house.

She lived just on the outskirts, convinced she didn't like city life.

Jax didn't blame her. He knew that growing up and living in Dask her whole life had made it impossible for her to acclimate to the hustle and bustle of the city. He preferred her on the outskirts anyway. It was safer there.

As Jax approached the large, black-stoned tower of a house, he again thought about how it was nothing like his mother. It was a stronghold, to be sure—he knew she’d be kept safe inside at least—but it was lacking warmth and… A soul perhaps?

Jax knocked on the front door, and it opened moments later. His smile faded when he saw the tall man standing before him instead of his mother. “Oh, Diesel. I didn’t expect you to answer the door.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed, son.” He chuckled in the back of his throat as if he enjoyed the way he made Jax uncomfortable now. “I’m assuming you’re here to see your mother then?”

“Not exactly. We need to talk.” Jax pushed his way past Diesel and stepped into the foyer.

“Come right in, why don’t you?” Diesel grumbled under his breath, gritting his teeth.

“This business arrangement of ours doesn’t seem to be working out. I was under the impression we would be equal partners, and I would be sharing in the wealth you have brought in due to my efforts. The numbers I’m seeing now don’t reflect that.” Jax looked Diesel dead in the eye as he spoke, which wasn’t something he often did. In fact, if he could avoid facing him most days, he would, but his uncle was messing with his livelihood, the very thing he needed to give his family the perfect life. That was where Jax drew the line.

“I am supplementing what I can, but if your business is failing then don’t blame that on me.” Leaning in and lowering his voice, he added, “It’s not my fault you’re a talentless hack who had to steal from an innocent little girl to get by in life.”

Jax all but stumbled away from his uncle, to find the monster of a man baring his shimmering teeth at him in predatory satisfaction. Suddenly, Jax wanted nothing more than to rip through Diesel’s throat and wipe that smirk off his loathsome face.

“You fucking bastard!” Jax raged, forgetting to keep his voice down, for his outburst summoned the one person he never wanted to find out about his sins.

“What’s this I hear?” Jax stiffened, turning to find his mother coming through the hallway door. “Did my eldest boy really come to visit me?” Her smile widened as she approached and threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight, warm hug. “It’s been too long, my dear boy!”

Jax’s shoulders slumped in relief. She’d likely only heard his voice, and not what’d been said. Thank the Goddess! “Hi, mama. I’m sorry it’s been a while.” No one could guilt-trip him quite like Omara could for not visiting often enough.

“That’s alright. I know you’re a very busy man with your own big business now. How’s that going by the way? Is everything…” Her eyes shifted nervously to Diesel before looking back at Jax. Apparently, she’d overheard at least some of what had been said, he realized. “...running smoothly?”

Jax stepped away from his mother and rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s going well. You don’t have to worry so much.”

“No need to keep up appearances with me, son. If you’re struggling, we are more than happy to help. Is it money you need? Diesel, give the boy some money,” she snapped at him.

Jax couldn’t believe his eyes. It was the first time he saw Diesel move to immediate action in response to a command—not that anyone would ever have the balls big enough to give him one in the first place!

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