Page 13 of Jax

“Thanks,” Jax said, his throat dry. He hated lying like this, but it was his only option right now. He didn’t want anyone knowing where Mia was, especially not Savannah. And there was no way Blake could keep that from her. So, it was better if nobody knew at all. Something told Jax that given the tight security at the strip club, the traffickers weren’t going to take the escape of one of their assets very lightly.

He hung up the phone and finished packing the car, his thoughts consumed by the vulnerable woman he was determined to save. As he drove toward the strip club, Jax tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "I'll get you out of there, Mia."

The strip club's neon lights flickered like a moth-infested streetlamp, casting erratic shadows across Jax's face as he entered. The bass-heavy music thudded in his chest, and the airwas thick with stale smoke and sweat. He swallowed hard, his nerves momentarily overwhelming him.

"Hey there, newbie," Chad sneered, stepping out from behind a pillar to block Jax's path. "You look a little green. Just remember, we don't tolerate any funny business around here."

"Relax, man," Jax replied, his voice steady despite the knot of anxiety in his stomach. "I'm just here for a drink and a good time."

Chad leaned in, his hot breath reeking of alcohol and tobacco. "If I so much as think you're causing trouble, I'll break every bone in your jacked-up body. Got it?"

The fact that this jerk was threatening him was laughable. Still, Jax had to keep a low profile, even if it meant ignoring this asshole’s rudeness.

"Got it," Jax muttered. With a final glare, Chad stepped aside and allowed Jax to continue into the dimly lit room.

Jax scanned the area, searching for Mia amid the writhing mass of bodies. Tension coiled inside him, both from the danger of their situation and the anticipation of finally seeing her in person. And then, suddenly, there she was—a vision of fierce beauty in the hazy, colored lights. Their eyes met, and Jax couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief.

He gave her a subtle nod, barely noticeable to anyone else, before moving to lean against the bar. His heart pounded in his chest as Mia returned the gesture, acknowledging their secret connection while maintaining her alluring façade.

"Keep it together, Jax," he thought, fighting the urge to check his watch. "This is just the beginning. We can do this."

Jax tapped his fingers against the bar, forcing a smile as he ordered a whiskey. The bartender slid the glass toward him and Jax gripped the tumbler, feeling the cold surface beneath his fingertips. He took a sip, letting the liquid fire warm his insides and sharpen his focus.

"Time to get this show on the road," he thought, his eyes scanning the room as he made his way to an unoccupied corner booth. From here, he could take in the entire club. The thumping music vibrated through his body, heightening his senses.

Since this place was impossible to hack into, Jax was going to have to rely on old-fashioned methods to get Mia out.

As he surveyed the scene, he spotted his targets: the fuse box behind the bar, its metal door ajar like a tempting secret, and the glass fire alarm trigger near the exit, gleaming in the dim light. His palms itched with anticipation, but he knew he had to be patient—one wrong move could jeopardize everything.

"I haven't felt this alive in years," Jax mused, taking another swig of whiskey. He glanced over at Mia, who was gyrating on stage for a leering crowd. It made his blood boil to see her like that, but he reminded himself of the sweet freedom she’d soon have.

If everything went according to plan.

"Alright, let's do this," Jax decided, setting down his drink and making his way to the restroom. The stench hit him as he entered, but he ignored it, focusing instead on his mission. He pulled a book of matches from his pocket, struck one, and held it just below the heat sensor on the ceiling.

He watched as the flame flickered, casting eerie shadows across the grimy tiles. And then, like clockwork, the sprinklers burst to life, dousing the entire club in a torrent of water.

"Perfect," Jax thought, smirking to himself as he snuffed out the match. He hurried back into the main room, the chaos unfolding around him like a twisted symphony.

Strippers squealed and slipped on the slick floor, customers shouted in confusion, and the music became a distorted mess as the speakers shorted out. Jax's heart raced, adrenaline surging through his veins as he wove through the pandemonium, keeping a watchful eye on Mia.

"Almost there," he thought, steeling himself for the next phase of their daring escape.

Jax's heart pounded as he maneuvered his way through the chaos, eyes locked on the fuse box behind the bar. The din of panicked voices and splashing water drowned out any coherent thought, but Jax knew what he had to do.

"Hey, watch it!" a disgruntled customer yelled as Jax shoved past him, nearly slipping on the wet floor.

"Sorry," Jax muttered, not really meaning it. He was on a mission, and nothing would stand in his way.

Reaching the bar, Jax crouched down and pulled a pair of wire cutters from his pocket. There was no time to hesitate. "Here goes nothing," he thought as he snipped the wire, plunging the club into total darkness.

A collective gasp echoed through the black void, followed by a cacophony of curses and frantic murmurs. Jax smirked in satisfaction, knowing their escape was just within reach. But he had one final move to make.

"Let's make some noise," Jax whispered to himself before heading to the door and pressing the glass shield to start the fire alarm. Immediately, it screamed out all around them.

"Everybody out! Now!" a bouncer shouted, attempting to corral the panicked crowd toward the exit.

"Get your hands off me!" Mia's voice rang out, fierce and determined. Jax's chest swelled with pride, admiring her strength even in the face of danger.

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