“Trying to kill my ex-boyfriend is a bit low, even for you.” I crossed my arms, standing in our lounge. Troy was sitting across from me, a beer glued to his right hand and a smoke in the other. I gave Troy a hard look. “You know we aren’t allowed to smoke inside,” I said.

“How was your jail visit?” Troy arched an eyebrow, and didn’t make a move to put his smoke out. “Catch up?”

I knew he was trying to distract me. I shot another look at Jax, but he wouldn’t look up. He could glare outside all he wanted, but he could only ignore me for so long.

“Jax? Did you hear me?” I snapped at him.

“Blake tell you all about the hit list?” Troy questioned me, while Jax remained mute.

“Yes, he did.” I glared at Troy. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I could try and get rid of him, but I had a feeling he was going to stay anyway just to piss me off.

“Nah, I’m fine here.” Troy smugly pushed himself back into the couch. “Don’t let me stop you,” he added.

Grinding my teeth together, I came to terms with the fact that I was going to have to beg in front of my brother. This night was just getting better and better.

“Jax, can you come with me please?” I huffed.

Jax looked up, a coldness in his eyes. He slowly slipped his beer while studying me. Finally, he placed his empty bottle on the ground, and turned slightly on the couch to face me.

“What do you want Amber?”

“Can you please take that hit off Blake?” It felt like I was throwing up knives when I asked him. I hated asking anyone for anything because it then meant I’d owe them.

“No.” Jax’s narrowed his eyes. “I told you that before you left.”

“No you didn’t! You didn’t tell me you were trying to have him killed!”

“Oh stop it Amber!” he roared at me, the vein in his neck bulging slightly. “He wanted you dead! What was I supposed to do!”

“Nothing! It wasn’t your problem.”

“When it concerns you, it concerns me!” he roared, getting up from the couch. “What did you expect me to do? Sit back and watch him get you killed?”

“You should have told me!” I roared.

“Ok, I’m leaving,” Troy said as he got up.

“What? You want to leave now?” I snorted, shouldering him slightly when he walked past.

“Drop the hit,” I said as I brought my eyes back on Jax “Now.” My voice was firm, and I couldn’t believe that I was able to stand my ground in front of Jax when he looked so angry.

His knuckles were turning to a shade of white, he was clenching his fists so hard. “Why should I?” he spat “And why do you even care if he lives or dies?”

“Because I owe him,” I said as I crossed my arms defensively. I knew what angle Jax was coming from, and it pissed me off.

“More like you care for him.” He scoffed, and the jealousy was clear in his eyes. “I’m not a fucking fool!”

“Can you hear yourself! Really Jax, how much have you had to drink?” I narrowed my eyes at him, making sure I didn’t back down. If this relationship was to have the slightest chance, I had to be as strong as him or I was going to be walked all over.

“Get out of my sight Amber.”

I gulped at the seriousness in his tone, and the look he was giving me was scaring me. This wasn’t working. Hating myself for what I was about to do, I decided to give another angle a shot anyway.

I softened my face. “Please Jax, just do this for me,” I said tenderly; softly. It was a quick change from my deadly, forceful tone before.

Jax automatically frowned at me. He seemed taken aback and that was what I’d wanted.

“You really want me to?” He looked me straight in the eye.

I nodded my head quickly. I didn’t like owing anyone anything. Blake was in my past and I was sick of him influencing my present.

“I just don’t want to owe Blake anymore,” I told Jax. “That’s all.”

“He wanted you dead,” Jax said, not hiding his disgust. He was really angry about this, and for some sick reason, it actually made my heart flutter; his protective instincts. I really was twisted.

“But it is over now.” I went to stand right in front of him, and looked up at him. “Thank you for having my back.”

I did have to thank him, because he had been looking after me while madmen were out to get me.

“That must taste bitter,” he said, as the corner of his lips twitched slightly up. I rolled my eyes at him, but he was right. I hated saying sorry. It just didn’t taste nice coming out.

“Are you hungry?” Jax changed the subject, while reaching out and looping an arm around my back, bringing me closer into his chest.

How had I found someone so perfect for me? We could go from fighting to loving each other so quickly.

“Yeah, it was a long drive in,” I admitted. I hadn’t had lunch, and my body was craving food.

Jax’s eyes twinkled with slight amusement, “You are one hungry beast.”

“So… take out?”

The house doorbell rang through the house. Who could that be? It was rather late.

“You expecting someone?” I asked Jax.

“No. You?”

“Nope.” I let go of him and walked out to the foyer. Whoever it was, they’d better piss off quickly because I was hungry, and seeing how I’d just sucked up to Jax, I deserved food.

I opened the door, and I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. Of all the people to be here right now! 

“Jax,” I turned to the side. Jax was still standing in the lounge, although now he had a confused look on his face. “It’s for you.”