Jax took off as soon as he had the word go. Call it a cardinal sin to leave his father’s territory, his own birthright in still unknown hands, but he could think of nothing but Lena as he hurried off into night and scanned the blackness for some sight of her.
He thought of her body against his, around his, as they lay in the bed back in the safe house. In those moments, he wanted nothing more than to keep her in his arms and kiss her lips, her cheeks, her breasts, do nothing but fall into her again and again. Would it have been any riskier to keep running in that moment? But he believed in the power of a club at his back. Black Legion be damned, he’d take up with a new crew. In so many ways, the Silver Horses were the worthier bunch. But he had still lost Lena, and without her, neither club meant anything. Nothing mattered now but finding her, trying to save…
I’m going to get you back, Lena. I swear to God I will.
Jax slowed his bike when a rumble of motors accompanied by hoots and hollers forced him off the road. Searching for any kind of cover, Jax spied a large tree, and he pulled away from the dirt, hiding his body and his bike behind the bark and the shadows. Narrowing his gaze, he saw other men who should have been loyal to his father, loyal to him, laughing as they rode across his eyes.
“Gonna bust that bitch wide open!”
“Wonder if Jax liked the Big Boss’ sloppy seconds?”
“Where’s his power now?”
Jax forced himself to stay still, and he waited until the bikes passed and he was alone again. So this was who and what they really were, and Jax wanted to blow their heads off, nearly made the move as he crawled back to the road when he suddenly held back. Hateful as their words were, they were just following orders, and if… when Milo had the power, it would prove a very different song.
She couldn’t be far, and Jax hopped back onto his bike and kept riding into the night.
Be smart, Lena. Keep him talking or something. I swear I’m…
Just the thought that he might already be too late filled him with dread. She swore she could do this much, seemed eager to buy him the necessary time to plead his case. Their case. But had she counted on how much Eric could hurt her if given the chance? Thinking he should have screamed louder to keep her at his side, he started to slow his pursuit when he saw two choppers resting below a series of branches. The vague images of struggling bodies set his teeth on his edge, and he was ready to plow forward and scoop Lena into his arms when he held back and pushed his foot the brake pedal.
She’s still alive. I’m going to get her back that way. Won’t settle for anything else.
He eased his bike back off the road and hid his chopper as he bided his time.
A few sharp screams hit his ears, and at every shriek, Jax was nearly on his feet, wanting nothing more than to rush forward and smoke Eric out. But even though he saw the rest of the Black Legion heading for home, it seemed totally possible that they were lying in wait. Knowing nothing of loyalty, they would mow him down with their bullets and leave Lena with no hope of rescue. Milo might do as much at Artie’s urging if Jax failed to return. But by then, it would be far too late. He had to save her now. The rest would fall into place later.
“Later,” he muttered under his breath. “I’m going to get you to later, Lena.”
Jax held his ground and his tongue. Whatever there was of her screams grew muffled and dull. But the silence was something. Had to mean he wasn’t hurting her anymore than he already had. Jax clung to those thoughts when he heard harsh words. There was talk of breaking her body, and Jax was nearly back on his bike when he opted to keep moving forward on foot. Stealth might prove his friend, and he pointed his gun before him as he stepped deeper into the darkness.
“Keep it up. We’ll punish you,” he heard in the distance.
“Like hell you fucks will,” he seethed.
Jax cocked the trigger and fired into shadows, screams of every tone hitting his ears.