Chapter 11

The living room was dim, the only light filtering in through dusty blinds. Jaxon sat with his elbows on his knees, staring at the floorboards as if they held answers to questions he didn’t dare ask.

Rachel watched him from the armchair, a knot of worry forming in her stomach. His broad shoulders were tense under his faded t-shirt, his hands clasped so tightly his knuckles had turned white. Something was wrong.

She leaned forward and placed her hand on his arm. He flinched at her touch before relaxing into it, but his gaze remained fixed on the floor. “Talk to me,” she said.

For a long moment, there was only silence. Then he shook his head and ran a hand over his beard, scraping against the rough bristles. “Nothin’ you need to worry about.” His voice was gruff, but she could hear the strain beneath it.

“That’s not good enough.” She gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “We’re in this together now. You can tell me anything.”

He sighed and raised his head to look at her at last. His blue eyes were troubled, shadows lurking in their depths. “Somethin’s brewing. Marcus got word they’re plannin’ to make another move into our territory.”

Her heart quickened. She knew how much blood had already been spilled over turf wars and how much more would be shed if outright war broke out.

“We’ll handle it,” Jaxon continued, reaching up to cup her cheek. The warmth of his calloused palm was strangely comforting. “Ain’t nothin’ for you to worry about. I won’t let nothin’ happen to you.”

She leaned into his touch, covering his hand with her own. His words were meant to reassure her, but they only amplified her concern. The Wolverines were dangerous, and if they were encroaching on the Green Devils’ territory, violence was inevitable. She couldn’t lose Jaxon, not now when they had only just found each other. She would do whatever it took to keep him safe, even if it meant stepping into a world she had tried her whole life to avoid.

“Rachel, I can’t have you gettin’ hurt. I won’t allow it.”

“I don’t need your permission.” Rachel lifted her chin, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. “I’m here because I choose to be, not because you allow me to be. We’re partners, Jaxon, and that means facing difficulties together, not shutting each other out.”

“Bein’ together puts you in danger,” Jaxon growled. “If somethin’ happened to you because of me...”

“Life comes with risks.” Rachel placed her hands on either side of his face, forcing him to look at her. “You’re worth those risks to me. I love you, and we’ll get through this like we have everything else. Together.”

Jaxon stared at her for a long moment, the fight slowly draining from his eyes. He leaned down and kissed her, a kiss full of unspoken emotion that made her heart ache with love for this complicated, vulnerable man.

“I don’t deserve you,” he said roughly. “But I ain’t givin’ you up without a fight.”

Rachel smiled, brushing her thumb over his lower lip. “Good. I’d expect nothing less.”

As she walked down the front steps of Jaxon’s house, Rachel noticed a woman with kind blue eyes sitting in one of the rocking chairs lining the wraparound porch.

“Afternoon,” the woman said. “I’m Daphne.”

“Rachel.” She walked over and held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Daphne. I’m actually Jaxon’s...girlfriend.”

“Well, aren’t you a pretty little thing?” Daphne shook Rachel’s hand with a firm grip. “Jaxon’s a good boy. Bit rough around the edges, but he’s got a heart of gold under all those tattoos.” She chuckled, the sound warm and throaty. “How’d a nice girl like you end up with the president of the Green Devils?”

Rachel smiled, already charmed by the older woman’s playful candor. “It’s a long story. Jaxon saved my life, and I saved his soul, I think.”

“Is that so?” Daphne’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Well, sit down then, honey. I’ve got time for a good story, and something tells me yours will be worth hearing.”

Rachel laughed and settled into the rocking chair beside Daphne’s. “All right, if you’re sure you want to hear it.”

“I’m sure.” Daphne patted Rachel’s hand. “Now start from the beginning, sugar.”

Rachel began to speak, finding it easy to open up to Daphne. There was a warmth and wisdom to the woman that instantly put her at ease, and Rachel got the sense that she’d found a friend.

As Rachel shared the story of how she and Jaxon first met, Daphne listened with rapt attention, her foot tapping in time to the creak of her rocking chair. A sense of peace settled over Rachel, easing the tension that had been coiled inside her ever since Jaxon revealed the threat brewing in the club. For the first time, she felt like everything would be all right.

Rachel glanced at her watch and was surprised to see several hours had passed. “Oh my, I should get going. Jaxon will wonder where I’ve gotten to.”

“Nonsense,” Daphne said. “That man can wait. We’re not done visiting yet. Besides, it’ll do him good to stew in his own worry for a bit.”

Rachel laughed. “You’re probably right about that. He does tend to fret.”

“All men do, honey. It’s in their nature.” Daphne patted Rachel’s hand again.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, shadows lengthening across the porch, but still Rachel remained. She and Daphne had moved on to lighter topics, swapping stories and bonding over shared interests.

By the time Rachel finally stood to leave, she felt happier and lighter than she had in weeks. “Thank you, Daphne,” she said, squeezing the woman’s hand. “I really needed this.”

“Any time, sugar.” Daphne patted her cheek. “You come find me whenever you’re feeling low. I’m always here.”

“I will,” Rachel promised. She headed for her car with a smile.

The cheerful ringtone cut through the quiet. She dug the phone from her purse, expecting to see Jaxon’s name on the display.

Instead, it was Marcus. Heart skipping a beat, Rachel answered. “Marcus? What’s wrong?” His tense tone set her nerves on edge.

“Rach, I need your help,” Marcus said, his words tumbling out in a rush. “There’s been an accident at a warehouse on Ridge Road. Can you bring your medical kit?”

“Oh god, of course!” Fear and adrenaline spiked Rachel’s pulse as she hurried to her car. “I’m on my way.”

Marcus hissed. “Hurry, Rach.”

“I’m coming right now.” Rachel slammed her car door shut and cranked the engine, peeling out of the lot. Her hands shook around the steering wheel as she navigated toward Ridge Road.

Rachel’s mind raced as fast as her car, thoughts tumbling over each other in a frenzied rush. She needed to stay calm and focused.