Page 124 of Undisputed Player
And despite everything, I found myself smiling back.
Jax disappeared back through the tunnel, championship belt gleaming over his shoulder this time. Adrian's phone buzzed, and he glanced at it with raised eyebrows.
“Well, that's a first,” he mused, tucking the device back into his pocket. “Jax just told the PR team to go fuck themselves.”
Connor shifted Sierra in his lap, his expression unsurprised. “Press conference?”
“Skipping it,” Adrian confirmed, his knife reappearing between his fingers. “Coach is having an aneurysm.”
Sierra looked up from her place in Connor's arms. “He's never skipped post-fight press before.”
The words had barely left her mouth when security appeared at our door, speaking urgently into headsets. They moved efficiently, clearing a path through the rapidly filling corridor outside our suite.
Less than fifteen minutes later, impossibly fast for someone who'd just fought for a title, the door burst open. Jax filled the frame, hair still damp from a hasty shower, dressed in a black tank top anddesigner pants. His knuckles were bandaged, but his eyes were wild and focused as they locked onto me.
He crossed the room in three long strides, hauling me into his arms before I could even stand. One hand cradled the back of my head while the other wrapped around my waist, lifting me clean off the ground.
“You're okay,” he breathed, his lips pressed to my forehead. “You're okay.”
“I love you, too,” I rushed out, clinging to his shoulders, finally getting to respond to his declaration. He smelled of expensive soap and adrenaline, but my words were fierce and genuine. “I love you. I do.”
He pulled back just far enough to examine my face, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “I know, princess. I love you. So much.” He held me like that for minutes, fingers carding through my hair.
Then he pulled back, and his expression darkened, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “This shouldn't have happened. Not to you.”
“We're leaving,” he announced, turning to address Adrian and Connor while keeping me pressed against his chest. “Now. Skip the hotel. We're going straight to the jet.”
Adrian didn't seem surprised. “Already called it in. Plane’s refueled.”
“What about the press? The… sponsors?” I asked, suddenly aware of the responsibilities he must be abandoning.
“Fuck them,” Jax growled, his arms tightening around me. “You're what matters. The rest can wait.”
Connor stood, still cradling Sierra in his arms, and nodded once. “Security's doubled for the exit. Cars are waiting.”
“No cars,” Jax countered, his voice leaving no room for argument. “I called a helicopter to the roof. Less exposure.”
Adrian whistled, already packing up Toffee's supplies. “Someone's in full commander mode.”
Jax ignored him, his attention returning to me. His hands framedmy face, his eyes searching mine. “You good to travel, princess? We’ll be home in five hours.”
Home.Not my apartment. Just home, like it was already decided, already a fact.
“I'm okay,” I assured him, reaching up to touch the bruise on his jaw. “Are you? That looked like it hurt.”
A cocky smile met his lips. “Nothing hurts when I'm with you.” He scooped me up without warning, carrying me out of the room and all the way there.
As our strange procession moved toward the exit, Jax carrying me, Connor holding Sierra like a koala, and Adrian juggling Toffee's carrier and our bags, I knew I’d found something irreplaceable in the storm of my life. Love.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Jax
The jet was hushed and dimmed gold, the kind of cocooned luxury that would’ve made me feel untouchable any other night. But not tonight. Tonight, the world felt like it was made of glass.
Estelle was asleep in my lap, her head tucked under my chin, her hand fisted in my shirt like she was afraid I’d vanish if she let go. I stroked her soft hair, slow and careful, pretending my hands weren’t shaking.
This was my girl. My fucking world.
