Page 96 of Undisputed Player
“Damon doesn’t care about Leo,” I continued, leaning into his touch. “But Leo’s his only child. He wants him for the cartel when he’s older. Those men—they’re to make me look unfit.”
Jax was silent for a long moment, his thumbs stroking my cheekbones with soothing gentleness. When he spoke, his voice carried the promise of violence.
"You can't stay here."
I pulled away, shaking my head. “This is our home.”
"It's not safe." His hands caught mine, fingers intertwining. "Those men know where you live. They could come back anytime."
"They've always known where I live. This isn't new, Jax.” I shrugged, somewhat aware of how stupid this probably sounded. “This is my life. I've been handling this alone for years."
He moved around the table, crouching before my chair so we were eye level. His hands found my knees, thumbs tracing circles through the fabric as he met my gaze again.
"Then let me help. Let me get you somewhere safer. My place?—"
“No.” I cut him off, keeping my voice firm. “I can’t be dependent on you. I can’t owe you like that.”
I’d owe Jax the debt of a lifetime, and I don’t think I’d ever be able to pay it back.
"You think I give a fuck about money? About what you ‘owe’ me?" His voice dropped to a whisper that raised goosebumps along my arms. "Estelle, I care about keeping you breathing."
The honesty in his voice made me deflate. I wanted to be his, butthat didn’t mean letting him control my life. "I know. But I've been handling this alone for so long. It’s fine.”
His eyes flared, blue fire suddenly igniting in the dim light.
"Fine? You think I'm fucking fine with this?" His voice dropped to a razor's edge. "After last night, after everything we shared, you think I can just watch those bastards threaten you?"
I squared my shoulders, meeting his glare head-on, my pulse pounding like a war drum, responding to his rising fury. “I’ve been fighting this fight alone for years. One night doesn't change that.”
"One night?" His laugh was harsh, a low growl that vibrated through the air. "Princess, that was you screaming my name, telling me you were mine. Was that just a fucking lie?"
Heat flared in my cheeks, but I refused to back down. “That still doesn't give you the right to control my life."
"Control?" He hissed, raw and fierce. "I'm trying to keep you breathing, you stubborn little princess.”
"Don't," I snapped, fury sparking in my veins. I hated being seen as weak when I’d survived so much. "Don't you dare talk to me like I'mfragile."
He stepped closer, crowding me, his hands slamming down on either side of my chair, caging me in. The laptop screen cast harsh shadows across his chiseled face as he leaned over me.
"Then stop endangering yourself. Those men could have ripped you apart today, could have taken Leo, and you?—"
"I handled it!" My voice rose high. "I always handle it!"
"By running out of the car alone?" His eyes burned into mine, wild and desperate. "By putting yourself between them and danger like some damn shield?"
"Yes! Because that's who I am!" I shoved up against his chest, but he didn't budge, continuing to loom over me. "I protect my own. I don't need some rich playboy playing hero."
A dangerous flicker crossed his face. "Rich playboy?” His voice dropped to a growl. "Is that what you think this is? Some game?"
"Isn't it?" The words cut deep, sharp, and cruel. I was beingmean, but I couldn’t stop the words from flowing out as our two worlds collided. "Slumming it with the poor girl, getting your kicks from?—"
"Stop." His voice was a low snarl, muscular forearms flexing on either side of me. "You know that's not what this is."
“Are you sure?” I spat back, the fire in my chest burning hotter to match the hurt I inflicted on myself. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're trying to fix me, save me, make me into your perfect?—"
"You think I want to change you?" His voice cracked with frustration. "You think I don't fucking worship exactly who you are?"
My breath hitched, but I held his gaze, needing to get my point across. "Then why can't you accept that I can fight my own battles?"
