Page 62 of Chaos

“I need to go and get something first. Let yourself in. I won’t be long.”

“Everything okay? You don’t need to be nervous, not around me.”

Tears sting in my eyes. I’m going to turn his life completely upside down tonight. I can’t speak, so I just nod. Just as I try to leave, he reaches out and firmly clasps my hand, gently guiding me to face him, his hands tenderly cupping my cheeks.

“I’m so fucking happy I found you again, tigritsa.”

With one last kiss, I back away. With a heavy heart, I climb into the car, and as soon as I shut the door, a sinking feeling settles in my stomach. I watch as he puts on his helmet, not before blowing me a kiss. Watching him speed away, I feel my hands tighten around the steering wheel.

I can do this.

Maeve deserves this. And so does Jax.

If I end up losing him because of that, I can live with my decision.

THIRTY-TWO

JAX

Once inside Sofia's cozy apartment, I switch on the lights and head straight for the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I search for a beer to quench my thirst.

Nothing.

Just a load of kid food. Maybe it’s for the kid she babysits.

I decide to go to the coffee machine and make one for each of us instead.

I have no idea what spooked her. The fact she gave me her keys was a relief to me.

She wants me here. That has to be something, right?

Taking my steaming cup, I sit on the couch, and a spring digs into my ass. It’s another reminder that I need to dig and find out what she spent the money on.

Pulling out my phone, I chuckle, reading the messages from Alexei.

Alexei: Nikolai is pissed at you.

Alexei: I told him to shut up. He’s just jealous you’re getting some.

Alexei: Wait? You are getting some, right? Or did she tell the king of chaos no again?

I quickly type back a reply.

J: I’ll speak to Nikolai tomorrow.

His response comes through instantly.

Alexei: I don’t care about that. You ignored my other question…

J: I don’t kiss and tell.

Putting the cell on the table, I rest my foot on my knee. I have this burning need to protect Sofia. Brody and his gang can’t touch her when she’s with me. I just need to figure out a way to tell her without her freaking out on me.

As the door creaks open, I feel a rush of anticipation and push myself off the couch. With Sofia’s arrival, my heart starts pounding, and I’m immediately drawn to the sight of the little girl in the pink sleepsuit, snugly cradled against Sofia’s neck.

Every time I try to make eye contact with Sofia, she averts her gaze. I blink at her. What the hell is going on here?

With quick, silent steps, she hurries past me towards the door on the right. I can’t drag my eyes away from the little girl’s dark mop of curly hair.