Page 8 of Jax & Knox

"She doesn't have a choice," Knox says. "She needs help."

"That's not the same as wanting it."

He looks at me, his hazel eyes sharp. "Then we make her want it."

I grin. "You got a plan?"

"You talk. I'll watch."

"That's your plan?"

"It's worked so far."

Fair point.

We head down the hallway to the backrooms. The door to her room is closed, but I can hear movement inside. She's awake.

I knock. Soft. Non-threatening.

There's a pause. Then footsteps. The door cracks open, and Ainsley peers out, her brown eyes wary.

"Hey," I say, keeping my voice low. "We brought some stuff. Thought you might need it."

She looks at the bags in our hands, then back at us. "I'm fine."

"You have a baby," Knox says bluntly. "No car. No money. Nobody survives on their own looking like that."

Her eyes narrow. "Excuse me?"

"What he means is," I say quickly, shooting Knox a look, "we want to help. That's it."

"I don't need your help."

"Yeah, you do." I hold up the bag. "Diapers. Formula. Food. You need this stuff, and we've got it. So just… let us help. Okay?"

She stares at me for a long moment, and I can see the war happening behind her eyes. Pride versus desperation. Fear versus need.

Finally, she opens the door wider. "Fine. But just for tonight."

"Just for tonight," I agree, even though we both know it's a lie.

She steps aside, and we walk in. The room is small but clean. Owen is asleep in a makeshift crib, a laundry basket lined with blankets. Tiny socks peek out from under the blanket, so small they look like doll clothes. It's not much, but it's safe.

Knox sets the bags down on the table, and I watch as Ainsley immediately starts going through them. Her hands are shaking. She pulls out the formula first, checks the label, then sets it down carefully like it's made of glass.

"Thank you," she says quietly.

"Don't mention it," I say.

She looks up at me, and for a second, our eyes lock. There's something there. Something raw and vulnerable and terrifying.

And then she looks away.

"I should get some sleep," she says.

"Yeah. Of course." I head for the door, Knox right behind me.

But I stop. Turn back.