Page 19 of Masked Instincts

“Jaxy, you here?” She calls out.

“In here,” I mutter.

The sound of the TV turns on, and I hear Mama flick through the channels until she finds the news station.

“Breaking news tonight. Fugitive Jax Turner has been spotted in New Britain, Connecticut. Police spotted him early this evening and nearly had him before he got lost in the chase. If you have any information or see the man, please call the number shown on your screen. Jax Turner is dangerous and ruthless with no remorse for his actions,” the reporter says sternly.

“What is going on, Jax? Who were the people you were standing with? It looked heated and please, do not for once second tell me it’s nothing!” Mama snaps at me as she walks into the bathroom. “What’s with all the disguises?”

Do I tell her the truth? Do I tell her how Luna has consumed my very being from the moment I saw her? When I laid my eyes on her, I knew, I just knew that I wouldn’t be able to stay away. Now that I’ve felt her wrapped around my cock— mouth and pussy, I can’t stop. I won’t ever be able to stop.

But… I have no choice.

Luna flashes through my mind. The way her eyes were filled with fear when the police were shouting. The fear wasn’t for Chase. It wasn’t for herself. It was for me. She was scared. For. Me.

“Well?” I turn to look at Mama. Her green eyes are sharp with anger. A look that I recognize in my own a lot.

“That was Luna,” is all I say at first. “The guy was her friend Chase.”

“What are you doing out here making friends?”

“How did the police know it was me?” I shout. “My hood was up. My face was painted! I could have been anyone. Fucking anybody.”

“I don’t know, but you can’t go around making friends.”

“Trust me. Chase doesn’t want to be my friend, and Luna is more than someone I would call a friend,” I tell her.

“Even worse, Jax.”

I tell her everything. About the need for her. About the threats. The party. The trip in the woods. Every little thing that’s happened since I’ve gotten to this damn state. I lay my life out for my Mama.

“Jesus Christ,” she whispers. I can hear the disappointment in her tone. I’m not the person she wanted me to be. Hell, I’m not the person I wanted to be. There was a time in my life when I had big dreams. I was going to do great things, but look at me now.

“I’m sorry your hard work didn’t pay off, Mama. I’m sorry that prison corrupted your little boy. I’m not close to the man you ever wanted me to be. I’m sorry I’ve let you down.”

This is the only person I ever cared about disappointing, the only person I ever worried about breaking their heart.

“I wanted better for you,” she says.

“I know.”

“I didn’t want you to be like your father.”

“I know.”.

“I never wanted you to hurt people.”

“I know.”

“I never wanted-”

“I know!” I scream as I slam the side of the door. Mama’s body jerks back at the sudden outburst. Sure enough, putting her in a place she thought she got out of. Maybe I am just like my father. She shakes her head at me and walks away. The soft click of my bedroom door echoes in my head.

twelve

LUNA

Jax was here. Then he wasn't. The black silhouette ran for the buildings as officers chased after him, shooting their guns. I’m not sure who the woman with red hair that called his name was, but when Jax went out of sight, she was gone, too.