Page 53 of Jax & Knox

I stroke her hair, feeling the tension slowly drain from her body. Jax's thumb traces slow circles on her leg, his eyes never leaving her face.

"I keep waiting for this to fall apart," she whispers finally.

"It won't," I say.

"You don't know that."

"I do." I tilt her chin up so she's looking at me. "Because we're not going anywhere. No matter what happens. No matter what you're afraid of."

"What if I'm not enough?" Her voice cracks. "What if I can't be what you need?"

Jax sits up, his hand moving to cup her face. "Ainsley. Look at me."

She does.

"You are everything we need. You don't have to be anything other than exactly who you are right now."

"But I'm broken," she whispers. "Justin broke me."

"No," I say firmly. "He hurt you. But you're not broken. You're here. You're fighting. You're healing. That's not broken, baby. That's strength."

She closes her eyes, tears streaming down her face. "I don't feel strong."

"You are," Jax says. "You're the strongest person I know."

I hold her tighter, feeling her shake against me. "Let it out. We've got you."

And she does. She cries, deep, wrenching sobs that seem to come from somewhere she's kept locked away for too long. Jax and I just hold her, our hands gentle, our presence steady.

When the tears finally slow, she's exhausted, her body limp against mine.

"I'm sorry," she whispers.

"Don't," Jax says. "Don't apologize for feeling."

"I just, I don't want to be this person anymore. The one who's always afraid."

"You won't be," I say. "Not forever. But right now, it's okay to be scared. We're not going anywhere."

She turns her face into my chest, and I press a kiss to the top of her head.

After a while, Jax stands. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."

Ainsley looks up at him, confused. "What?"

"Shower," he says gently. "You'll feel better."

She hesitates, and I can see the fear creeping back in.

"We're not trying anything," I say quickly. "We just want to take care of you. That's all."

She searches my face, then Jax's, and finally nods.

In the small cottage bathroom, Jax starts the water while I help her stand. She's shaky, exhausted, and I keep my hands on her waist to steady her.

"Can you manage?" I ask.

She nods, but there's uncertainty in her eyes.