Page 83 of Chaos
“Calm down, I got this.”
I duck under the ropes with a new sense of determination.
There is no option to lose this fight. Not anymore.
FORTY-ONE
SOFIA
I may have spent a lot of his money, although most of it was on new sneakers for Jax and clothes for Maeve. I did, however, buy an outfit for his fight tonight. With a pair of dream shoes. I’m hoping it is enough to earn my reward. The first thing I did, before I even went shopping, was pay for the enrollment tuition for the next semester. Once I graduate, I’ll be paying him back every dollar. Contrary to what Anna may think, he isn’t my walking bank account, and I don’t want it. But, it is nice, for once, to be taken care of and not have to panic about being able to afford everything for Maeve. For the first time in years, I can actually think about myself for once.
Yes, I’m a mom. But, it’s felt like since her birth, that’s all I am. I know I’m much more. I love that little girl. I love being her mother. Finding Jax has meant I can claw a bit of myself back.
Laying out my new outfit, I look down at a pair of leather jeans and a lace bodysuit to match my new Louis.
I may have searched for an underground fight on the internet and, after seeing some of the grisly pictures, I’m petrified. For Jax, more than anything. No rules. Just two men beating the shit out of each other. I don’t know if I can watch. He wants me there, so I will be there for him.
The door slams shut and loud male voices carry up the stairs. Jax was dropping Maeve at Nikolai’s with his sitter, which in itself is giving me anxiety. But if Jax trusts him, so do I.
Heavy footsteps pace up the stairs and my heart races. I’ve steamed and pressed his shorts and his outfit is out on the bed, with the new high tops I bought him.
“Hi, baby,” he growls as he enters the room.
I spin to face him. He has that boyish grin on his lips as he stalks towards me and lifts me into his arms.
“Everyone is waiting downstairs to meet you,” he whispers in my ear.
I met them briefly when I was waitressing, but this is different. They know I mean something to him.
“Who is ‘everyone’?” My lips purse in doubt.
“Nikolai, Alexei, and Lara.”
“Lara?” That provides me some relief, another woman to talk to rather than two scary looking Russians.
“Nikolai’s sister. She’s fun. You’ll probably get along.”
“Fun?” I raise a brow at him.
“She has a dry sense of humor like Nik. That’s what I mean. So, put the claws away. I’m yours.”
He sets me down on my feet. My hands thread beneath the thin fabric of his shirt and rest them on his hard chest.
“I’m not jealous. I was just wondering what you meant by that. Like wild or just a sense of humor.” I bite down on my lip and bat my lashes at him. Pulling on his silver chain, I yank him down to me and kiss him.
“Mmm, more,” he grumbles, capturing my lips again.
“I need to get ready.” I nod towards our clothes on the bed.
He glances over and his eyes narrow. “You didn’t spend enough today, and buying me stuff does not count.”
“I tried, okay? Look at my shoes. They’re more expensive than my rent!”
“Put them on for me.”
He pushes the robe from my shoulders and it pools onto the floor, leaving me in just my new red panties and matching garter belt.
“Holy fuck, Sof.” His finger slides under the thin strap to my thigh. “How am I supposed to concentrate knowing you’re wearing that for me?”