Page 86 of Nightmare

“You can trust us.” I say, matter of fact.

Jax presses his lips together, blowing a breath through his nose before he speaks again. “I hope so.”

The waitress appears, depositing our plates in front of us, and we all fall silent as we wait for her to leave again. We all take turns with the syrup then dig into our food.

By the time half of my plate is empty, Jax finally speaks again, “We need to discuss other options for the Brody problem.”

Everyone’s attention falls to him, he clears his throat, runs a hand through his blond hair then groans. “Thereareother options here.”

“What other options, Jaxson? Press charges for stalking, he goes away for a couple monthsifwe get a conviction, then we are back in this position.” Travis says, his shoulders tight.

“We go after him for stalking, rape, and assault.” Jax answers him, his voice strained like it’s hurting him to dig up my past in front of everyone.

Trav points a finger at him, “We have noproof.She didn’t get a fucking rape kit done, she’s never filed anything against him, never told anyone but Summer.” He taps the same finger at his temple and continues, “You’re gonna be a lawyer, Jax, use your fucking brain. We’ll never get a conviction.”

Jax groans, running a hand down his face.

“You said you would support this if Mac said yes,” Travis says, then turns to Mac, “So, what’s it going to be, brother?”

Mac rolls his eyes, “I support whatever you think is best, Travis. This is your show.”

Jax groans, “No.” We all move our gazes to him, waiting for him to speak again.

“This is not the fucking Travis Monroe show.” Jaxson says, pointing a fork at Mac, “This is Olivia’s problem, and she will be the one to decide what happens.”

I feel Travis go stiff next to me. My stomach starts turning – my breakfast sitting like a weight in my gut. Because he’s telling me to make the call, to speak the words into existence, putting it completely on my conscience.

Summer hasn’t spoken up for a while, but I feel her eyes watching me. I turn to look at her, needing that extra ounce of support I feel when I’m around her. She gives me a look, as if to sayI’m herethen everything inside of me is screaming.

“I want to do it.” I say, making the choice final.

Chapter Forty-One

Travis

We walkthe girls back to Summer’s, making it a point to ride up in the elevator with them to look through the penthouse and make sure it’s safe, then head back out into the city. I need to blow off some steam, either with my fists or my tattoo gun.

Since my fists are still covered in scabs from my last visit to the punching bag, I decide to head to my shop to do some work.

I have so much rage and anxiety in my veins – I need to get rid of it before we face Brody, otherwise I’ll end up pummeling him with my fists and it’ll be – to quote Jaxson –The Travis Monroe Show.

I just want this to be over, I want her to feel safe again. I want to start a goddamn life with her.

God, that’s terrifying to think.

After I lost Jasmine, I never saw myself falling in love again. I made it a point to avoid feelings at all costs. But Olivia crept up on me, she came out of nowhere, and somehow I love her even more than I loved Jas.

I have turned into a little bitch, wanting to tie her down, fill her with my babies so she can never leave me. Fight anyone who gets too close to her, destroy anything that stands in the way of her finding her happiness.

The breeze is blowing as I make my way down the sidewalk, Mac and Jax following close behind shit talking each other about God knows what.

We make the fifteen-minute walk downtown, then head into the air conditioning of my shop, coming face to face with my receptionist – Sam.

She’s a little thing, covered head to toe in tattoos. I met her when I was doing my apprenticeship and offered her a position the day I signed the lease on my space. She’s built my shop with me from the ground up, including moving all the furniture in and decorating the space with my artwork.

She’s talented – can draw like a motherfucker. But has no interest in tattooing. She’s dabbled a few times when we’ve been drunk, did a couple pieces on each of the artists I employ here. I’ve tried countless times to get her to apprentice here, but she’s more interested in the business side.

Fine by me, I don’t fuck with paperwork and shit. I just want to design and scar people’s skin.

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