Page 94 of Jax & Knox

This is happening.

Owen has bonded with them completely. He sees them as his fathers. He trusts them. He loves them.

And they love him.

Bella reaches over and squeezes my hand, tears in her eyes. Switch clears his throat, his voice gruff. "Well, I'll be damned."

I can't stop crying. I press my hand to my mouth, trying to hold it together, but I can't. This moment, this beautiful, perfect moment, is everything I've ever wanted for Owen.

He has a family.

We have a family.

The rest of the night is a blur of laughter and competition.

The Carters are serious about their board games.

Blade and Revolver trash-talk each other relentlessly, their voices rising as they argue over rules and strategies. Bella, Brooke, and Bri form an alliance and dominate the first game, high-fiving each other and laughing. Switch makes ridiculous bets that no one takes seriously, and everyone groans when he wins anyway.

And Jax and Knox are different here.

Relaxed. Playful. Integrated into the family chaos in a way that makes my chest ache.

I watch them, my heart full to bursting.

This is who they are when they're not trying to protect me. When they're not worried about Justin or the club or keeping me safe.

This is who they are at their core.

And I love them even more for it.

"You playing or what?" Tessa asks, nudging me with her elbow.

I blink, realizing everyone is looking at me. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry."

I pick up my cards, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I laugh.

Genuinely, freely, without fear.

And I feel like I belong.

By the time we leave, it's late.

Owen is asleep in his car seat, and I'm exhausted but happy.

"Your family is amazing," I say softly as Jax drives us home.

"They loved you," Jax says, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

"They really did," Knox adds.

I smile, my heart full.

Once we're home and Owen is tucked into his crib, the tension and emotion of the day finally catch up to me.

I need them.

I need to feel claimed and safe and loved.