Page 45 of Jax & Knox

I wake before dawn. I’ve always been an early riser, the Army drilled it into me, but this morning is different. This morning, I have a plan.

I lie there for a minute, staring at the ceiling of my room at the clubhouse, my mind already running through the logistics. Security. Routes. Timing. Contingencies. I've mapped every street between here and Jackson Park three times. I know which intersections have cameras, which alleys offer cover, which routes give us the most visibility and the fewest choke points.

It's just a trip to the park.

But nothing is just anything when it comes to Ainsley and Owen.

I've never been a man who does things halfway. When I commit, I commit fully. And I committed to her the moment I saw her on that highway, terrified, defiant, holding that tire iron like she was ready to fight the world.

I'm going to prove she's safe. That she matters. That we're worth believing in.

By the time I make it to the main room, Jax is already there, leaning against the bar with a cup of coffee in his hand. He looks up when I walk in, an easy grin spreading across his face.

"Morning, sunshine," he says.

"Fuck off."

He laughs, the sound low and easy. "You're in a good mood."

I pour myself a cup of coffee and take a long drink before answering. The bitter heat grounds me, sharpens my focus. "I'm taking Ainsley and Owen out today."

Jax raises an eyebrow. "Out where?"

"Jackson Park. Thought she could use some air. Some normalcy."

"Normalcy," Jax repeats, his grin widening. "You mean you want to play house with her and the kid."

I glare at him. "It's not like that."

"It's exactly like that." He sets his cup down and crosses his arms, leaning back against the bar. "You're going soft on me, brother."

"I'm not soft."

"You're planning a fucking picnic, Knox. That's soft."

I flip him off, but he just laughs.

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing," Jax says, his tone shifting to something more serious. He studies me for a long moment, his green eyes sharp. "She needs this. Hell, we all need this. Just… be careful, yeah? Justin's still out there."

"I know." I take another drink of coffee, my jaw tightening. "I've already mapped the route. I'll have Riot and Tiny on standby. We'll be fine."

Jax nods slowly. "You've thought of everything."

"I always do."

"Yeah, you do." He grins again. "She's lucky to have you."

"She's lucky to have both of us."

"Damn right she is." He pauses, then adds, "She's starting to believe this is real."

I look at him. "You think so?"

"I know so. I see the way she looks at us." He pushes off the bar and claps me on the shoulder. "Don't fuck it up."

"I won't."

"Good. Because I'm not losing her."