Page 99 of Jax & Knox

I watch him go, my stomach sinking.

"Jax," I say quietly. "What's going on?"

He hesitates, then pulls me closer. "Nothing you need to worry about right now. Just... club stuff."

"Club stuff," I repeat, not buying it.

He cups my face, his green eyes intense. "I promise, baby. We've got it handled."

I nod, but the unease doesn't leave.

Later that night, after Owen is asleep and we're back at the house, I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong.

Jax and Knox are both quiet, their usual easy banter replaced by tense silence.

I sit on the couch, watching them move around the kitchen, and finally, I can't take it anymore.

"What's going on?" I ask.

They both stop, exchanging a look.

Knox walks over and sits beside me, his hand finding mine. "Justin's been spotted. Close."

My blood runs cold. "How close?"

"Too close," Jax says, sitting on my other side.

I feel the panic rising, but Knox squeezes my hand.

"We're handling it," he says firmly. "You're safe. Owen's safe. We're not letting him get to you."

"But—"

"No buts," Jax says, his voice gentle but firm. "We've got you, Ainsley. Whatever comes, we face it together."

I look between them, my heart pounding. "I'm not running."

"We know," Knox says, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "And we're not letting you."

"We fight together," I say, my voice steady.

Knox's eyes blaze with pride. "Together."

Jax leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. "Always."

They hold me between them, their arms wrapped around me, and for the first time since I heard Justin's name, I feel like I can breathe.

Because I'm not alone.

I have them.

And we're going to face this together.

SEVENTEEN

AINSLEY

When I wake up it feels like something invisible has shifted overnight and now everything is holding its breath. I lie still for a moment, listening.