Page 14 of Jax

Panic swirled around Jax like a hurricane as he slipped through the chaos, the darkness swallowing him whole. He could barely make out the silhouettes of people scrambling for the exit, but there was no sign of Mia anymore. He hoped she was following him.

His fingertips brushed against cold metal, and he realized he had reached the door. In an instant, he was outside, the night air cutting through the lingering heat from the panicked crowd.

"Babygirl, please be right behind me," he prayed silently, making his way to his car. The damp pavement glistened under the streetlights, and his senses felt heightened as he fumbled for his keys. Within moments, he unlocked the car and slid into the driver's seat, the familiar leather providing some small comfort.

"Fuck, what if she's still inside?" Jax couldn't help but question, his fingers drumming anxiously on the steering wheel. "What if Chad got to her first?" He took a deep breath to calm his racing thoughts. "She's smart. She's tough. She'll make it out."

As the seconds ticked by, he clutched the Jungle Book-themed stuffies he'd packed for Mia like a lifeline, the soft fabric a reminder of the connection they shared, even amidst the darkness that surrounded them.

"Come on, Mia, I need you here with me," Jax whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "This is all for you."

The seconds turned into minutes, Jax's heart pounding like a jackhammer in his chest, the weight of their uncertain future pressing down on him.

"Please," he begged to the universe, his fingers crossed tightly as he stared out at the chaos before him. "Please let her be okay."

And with that final plea, the world seemed to slow down, the suspense hanging heavy in the air like a thick fog, the outcome of their fates hanging in the balance.

Chapter seven

Mia

The blaring fire alarmpierced through the smoky haze of the club, mingling with the chaos and confusion of panicked patrons. Mia's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted toward the exit, fear and adrenaline fueling her every step.

"Get back here!" Chad's gruff voice echoed behind her, but she didn't dare look back.

Her breaths came in short gasps, each one a desperate plea for freedom. As she burst through the club doors, the cold night air stung her skin like tiny needles, but it was a welcome sensation compared to the suffocating atmosphere inside.

"Shit, shit, shit," she muttered under her breath, her green eyes darting around for any sign of escape.

"Thought you could get away that easy, huh?" Chad sneered, his hulking figure emerging from the shadows near the entrance.

Mia's heart skipped a beat, terror gripping her as she stumbled backward. "Stay the hell away from me, Chad!"

"Come on, Mia. You know you ain't going nowhere." Chad lunged toward her, his massive hand reaching out to grab her arm.

Her instincts kicked in, and she sidestepped his grasp just in time. She felt a surge of relief as his fingers brushed past her skin but failed to capture her. The brute had strength, but he couldn't catch her if she kept moving.

"Fuck you!" she spat, taking off down the street.

“Little bitch!" Chad growled, his heavy footsteps pounding the sidewalk behind her.

Mia's mind raced as fast as her legs, trying to come up with a plan to evade Chad and find safety. But every thought was drowned out by the sound of her own heartbeat, echoing in her ears like a relentless drumbeat urging her to run faster, farther, and never look back.

Drenched from head to toe, Mia's shoes squelched on the wet pavement as she rounded a corner. There it was, just like he had promised: a red Audi idling in the darkness. Her gut churned with a mixture of fear and anticipation, but she knew there was no going back now.

She sprinted the final few yards and wrenched the passenger door open.

"Get in!" Jax shouted from the driver's seat, his muscular arms gripping the steering wheel. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes locked on his hotness. It felt wrong to be attracted to him amidst the chaos, but she couldn't help herself.

Coming to her senses, she ducked into the car and slammed the door shut.

"Here," he said, tossing her a towel. He handed her a Baloo stuffie too. "I know it's not Shere Khan, but it'll do."

"Thanks," she mumbled, wiping her face with the towel and clutching the stuffie close to her chest. His caring and protectivenature made her feel safe, and she couldn't remember the last time someone had looked out for her like that.

"Quick, strap in," he instructed, his voice firm yet gentle. "We need to get out of here."

"All right," Mia replied, fastening her seatbelt with trembling hands. She felt the tension and anticipation building in the pit of her stomach.

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