Page 116 of Jax & Knox

It's shaky. Uncertain. My chest still feels tight.

But it's there.

"I think I can breathe," I whisper, almost surprised by the realization.

Knox reaches over and takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine. "Good. That's good."

Jax kisses my temple softly, his lips lingering. "We've got you. Always. No matter what comes next."

I close my eyes and let myself believe it. Let myself accept the truth of it.

For the first time in my entire life, I'm free. Free from fear. Free from Justin. Free from running.

And I'm home.

Finally, truly home.

TWENTY-TWO

KNOX

ONE WEEK LATER

By the time evening rolls around, I'm wound tight. Jax and I have been moving around the house all day, making sure everything is in place. Ainsley has been oblivious, playing with Owen, helping with laundry, completely unaware of what's coming.

"Where are we going?" she asks as I help her into her jacket.

"Perdition," Jax says. "Club thing."

She frowns. "On a Thursday?"

"Trust us," I say, my hand resting on her lower back.

She looks between us, suspicious, but she doesn't push. "Okay."

Owen is staying with one of our club brothers and his wife tonight. They picked him up an hour ago, both of them grinning like they knew exactly what was about to happen.

Because they do. Everyone does. Except Ainsley.

The ride to Perdition is quiet. Ainsley sits between us in the truck, her hand resting on my thigh, her other hand in Jax's. She's relaxed, trusting, and it makes my chest ache.

When we pull into the parking lot, she notices immediately that it's packed.

"Why are there so many bikes here?" she asks, her voice uncertain.

"Club business," Jax says easily.

She narrows her eyes at him. "You're a terrible liar."

He grins. "Come on, baby. Let's go inside."

The moment we walk through the door, the entire bar erupts.

Ainsley freezes, her eyes going wide as she takes in the scene.

The place is packed. Almost every Iron Reaper is here, Mason, Steele, Tiny, Cole, Weston, Wyatt, Revolver, Blade, and dozens more. The Old Ladies are here too, Lucy, Tessa, Hadley, Erica, Scarlett, all of them grinning like maniacs.

Switch and Bella are standing near the bar, both of them beaming.