Page 26 of Off-Limits

"Make it up to her?" I repeat, taking a step closer to him. "You think you can just waltz back into her life after whatyou did? After breaking her heart? After what you did at the wedding?"

Tom holds his ground, but I can see the tension in his shoulders as he looks at me. He knows he's outmatched. I'm taller, broader, and clearly ready to throw down if necessary. We almost had a fight that day, after all.

"I know I can't," Tom says, turning his attention back to Mia. "But I want to try."

He's really unbelievable. He must be on drugs or something.

Mia shakes her head sadly. "It's too late for that, Tom. You had your chance, and you threw it away."

I think she's being way too nice to him. Maybe she's remembering the good things between them. Whatever the case, it doesn't matter. It won't change how I treat him.

He looks desperate now, pleading with her. "Please, Mia. Just give me a second chance. I'll do anything—"

I still can't fucking believe it. The goddamn audacity, saying some shit like that after everything he's done.

I interrupt him, my voice like thunder. "Anything? Then leave. Right now. And don't come back unless she asks you to."

Tom's gaze flickers to me for a moment before settling on Mia again. She looks at him, her expression unreadable, and then turns to me.

"Jake," she says softly. "Can I have a minute alone with Tom?"

I hesitate, not wanting to leave her alone with this piece of shit but knowing that I have to respect her decision. After all, it's her ex—her heartbreak—and ultimately, her choice.

However, I'm still baffled. I'm really the one angrier at him here? Not her? She doesn't feel the same way I feel about him?

"Fine," I say gruffly. "But I'll be right here if you need me." With that, I turn and walk back inside, leaving the two of them alone on the porch together.

I stand by the window, watching as they talk. Mia's body language is tense at first, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, but gradually she seems to relax, her hands unclasping and falling to her sides. Tom reaches out for one of them, and she lets him hold it briefly before pulling away again.

I don't even blink. I feel like this is a nightmare.

I clench my fists, fighting the urge to storm back out there and tear his hand off if he tries anything else. But Mia looks strong—capable—and I remind myself that she doesn't need me to fight her battles for her.

As I watch Mia talking to Tom, it's clear he's not giving up without a fight. He gestures animatedly, trying to make his case, but Mia remains stoic, her expression unchanging.

I think, once again, that there's no reason she should even hear him out. The damage is done, and there's no reversing it.

Suddenly, Tom points towards the house—towards me—and says something that makes Mia tense up again. Whatever it is, she shakes her head vigorously in response, her mouth set in a firm line. Then, Tom leans in close, too close for my liking, and whispers something in her ear. I want to hear what it is.

That's it—I'm done with this fuckery. I storm outside, ready to intervene if necessary, but Mia beats me to the punch.

"Don't you dare threaten Jake," she says, her voice like ice as she takes a step back from Tom. "Whatever twisted idea you have to hurt him, it's not going to work."

So he wants to hurt me, does he? I welcome the challenge. I just need an excuse to put him back in his place. He'd never so much as think about approaching Mia again.

Tom looks taken aback, stammering out a response. "I-I wasn't threatening him—"

"You said you would tell Ryan about us," Mia interrupts, her eyes blazing with anger now. "And that is a threat."

I move to stand beside her, my presence solid and steady. I can feel the tension rolling off her in waves, but she's handling this like a pro.

Tom looks at me, then back to Mia, his expression shifting from pleading to defiant. "Fine," he says. "Maybe I was threatening him. But you deserve better than Jake Morrison, Mia. He's just going to hurt you like everyone else."

I would never even consider lifting a hand against her.

"Enough," I growl, stepping forward. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about." I turn to Mia, taking her hand in mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Ignore him, Mia. He's grasping at straws because he knows he lost you for good."

Mia looks up at me, gratitude shining in her eyes. She feels better knowing there's someone to protect her from dangers like Tom.

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