Page 93 of Undisputed Player
“Can I help you?” I called, voice steady, shoulders squared. I’d done this a dozen times before. I could do it again.
The taller one gave me a slow, mocking once-over. “Well, well. Look at you. Didn’t know you were into fancy shit.”
The other one laughed, stepping closer. His eyes flicked to the Bentley, then back to me with renewed interest. “Or maybe you’re just working a new job, huh? That your client?”
His gaze was oily and invasive, lingering on the designer labels, the way my clothes hugged my body. “You know, the judge might be real interested to hear about your new… services.”
Heat flooded my face, but I didn’t flinch. “Get away from my door.” I tried to sound braver than I felt, holding back the prickling fear in my spine. “You have no right to be here.”
The taller one grinned, stepping into my space. Too close. “We’re just checking in. Making sure you’re still… suitable.”
His hand brushed the sleeve of my sweater, his fingers lingering. “Wouldn't want the court to think you're bringing strange men around the boy."
I jerked away, fury and humiliation warring in my chest. “Don’t touch me.”
He leaned closer, his breath sour. “Or what? You gonna call your sugar daddy? We know what you are, Estelle. The boy is ours.”
The threat was obvious. I opened my mouth to snap back, but the air changed. It went cold, sharp, and dangerous.
Jax was suddenly there, so fast I barely saw him move. He was all golden hair and expensive clothes, sunglasses reflecting the street, but there was nothing soft about him now. He radiated menace like heat, his posture promising violence.
The charming god had vanished, replaced by the deadly boxer from the ring.
He stood between me and the men, his back to me. My gaze caught on a glint of silver tucked into the back waistband of his trousers.
A gun.
Sleek, silver, and utterly out of place in the sunlight. The sight of it sent an unexpected jolt through me, not just fear, but a strange feeling of being protected.
I’d never seen a real gun up close, had only ever feared them from a distance. But seeing it on Jax’s body, seeing how naturally he handled it, knowing it was there to protect me, it made my pulse race in a way that wasn’t entirely about danger.
“Is there a problem here?” Jax’s voice was ice and steel, smooth but lethal.
The men hesitated, sizing him up. The taller one puffed up, trying to reclaim his authority. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Jax smiled, slow and cold as a blade. I’d never seen that expression on him. “I’m the man you're going to answer to if you ever come near her again."
He stepped closer, crowding the taller man against the wall with his size. His voice dropped to a whisper that somehow carried more threat than any shout. "You want to try something? Go ahead. Give me a reason."
He shifted slightly, and the silver gleam of death at his back caught the light. The man's eyes fixed on it, his face going pale.
"We're just doing our job," he stammered.
Jax's smile widened, predatory and beautiful. "Yeah? Then you won't mind telling me who sent you. You want to try something? Go ahead. Give me a reason.” He twisted slightly, the silver beacon of death gleaming at his back.
When they hesitated, Jax's hand shot out, grabbing the taller man by the throat and slamming him against the brick wall.
My heart was thundering in my chest. Why,whywas this hot?
"Damon," the man gasped. "Damon Cane. He just said to check on her, that's all."
Jax’s grip tightened, his body radiating a violence so cold it made the air feel thin. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he reached up and slid his sunglasses off, tucking them into his neckline.
His eyes were arctic blue, the kind of cold that burned. They pinned the man in place with a force that made even me shiver. He didn’t bother with his name; he didn’t need to. The threat was in every line of his chiseled face.
“You listen to me,” Jax said, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper. “You tell Damon if he sends anyone near her again, I’ll make sure he never walks again. You understand me? You so much as look at her, or the kid, and I’ll end you.”
The man’s mouth worked, but no sound came out. He only nodded, eyes wide, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
