Page 11 of Jaxon

“I’m sorry,” he said.“I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

Harper shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together as she let out a quiet, shuddering breath.

“It’s not your fault,” she replied, but her voice faltered.She paused, her gaze dropping to her hands, her fingers gripping the edge of the counter as if she were trying to steady herself.“I just—”

Jaxon didn’t wait for her to finish.He moved forward, closing the space between them, and placed a hand gently over hers.He could feel the tremor in her skin, the rawness of her emotions just beneath the surface.

“I’m here now,” he said, his voice steady, his grip firm but tender.“I’ll make sure they don’t come back.”

She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his with a quiet vulnerability that made his chest ache.For a moment, they just stood there, their fingers brushing, the tension between them shifting into something softer, more fragile.Harper’s fingers curled slightly under his, seeking comfort in the contact, and Jaxon felt his heart thud heavily in his chest.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible but full of gratitude.

Jaxon felt a pang of something deep inside, something that wasn’t just about protecting her but about wanting to stay.Wanting to be there for her, for whatever came next.His thumb brushed across the back of her hand, the gesture small but meaningful.It wasn’t just about keeping her safe from the bikers.It was about being her anchor, being there in whatever way she needed.

The silence stretched between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.It was a kind of quiet that held something unspoken, a delicate weight that pressed gently on his chest.

He knew they still had so much to talk about, so many things left unsaid, but at this moment, all he wanted was to stay with her, to make sure she was okay.They didn’t need words for that.He could feel it in the way her hand softened under his, the way her shoulders relaxed just a little as the tension began to lift.

Jaxon wanted to tell her everything would be okay.That he would protect her, no matter what.Buthe wasn’t just offering his protection, he was offering himself.In a world full of chaos and danger, he wanted to be her steady, her constant.

He leaned in slightly, close enough so she could feel the heat of his breath on her skin.The scent of leather and motor oil lingered around him, familiar and comforting.

“Harper,” he murmured.

She met his gaze, her eyes searching his face for something, for reassurance, maybe.He couldn’t say how long they stood like that, the world outside still and forgotten for a moment.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he added, his voice stronger now, more certain.

Harper’s lips parted, as if she wanted to say something, but then she closed her mouth again, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

She was still trying to process everything that had just happened, everything she had just learned.But despite the fear and uncertainty, there was something else in her eyes now.Something softer, warmer.Something that made Jaxon feel like maybe, just maybe, they had a chance at something more than this moment of chaos.

She didn’t pull away, didn’t let go of his hand.Instead, she held on tighter, like she was letting herself trust him just for a moment, just enough to believe everything would be okay.

Chapter Five

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