"When it comes to Fiona, you can never be sure, but what choice do I have? You know what she's like," he reasoned. Zee had been working with Jax for many years. He had been witness to Fiona's antics far too many times. Jax trusted the man implicitly. Zee had the patience of a saint when it came to dealing with Fiona. Jax wasn't a praying man, but he looked to the skies and silently hoped he would receive such patience while he talked to Fiona.
Something was off. Jax could sense it in the air. It prickled on the back of his neck, but he shrugged it off, convinced that he was being paranoid. As much as Fiona was a pain in his ass, she wasn't dangerous to others, only to herself. And if he didn't get back to the car in ten minutes, Zee would check on him, as they'd agreed.
Even before he could raise a hand to knock on the door, it swung open.
"Thanks for coming," she said, letting him through.
Fiona saying thanks was either a miracle or a bad omen. Jax looked past Fiona to see if there were other people present, a hidden cameraman, maybe? It wouldn't be the first time. Jax didn't step forward. He shoved his hands in his pockets and peered at Fiona through his sunglasses. Fiona had hers on too. She'd lost an incredible amount of weight since getting hitched. If she admitted to using again, it wouldn't be a surprise to Jax. Underneath those glasses was the truth.
"Don't you want to come in?" Her voice was sweet. Too sweet. It didn't suit her. She was definitely up to something.
Jax shook his head. "This is fine. We can talk here. What do you want?"
Fiona bit down on her bottom lip, then turned to sit on the cream sofa, leaving the door open. "We can sit, you know. I'm a little tired from my flight."
"You have two seconds to tell me what's up or I'm out," Jax warned, keeping his spot outside the threshold. When she didn't say anything, Jax pulled the doorknob. "I'm outta here!"
"No, Jax, please!" Fiona leaned over the back of the sofa, and almost tripped as she ran back toward Jax. "I'm sorry."
The words halted Jax from going forward. He looked over to where Fiona stood, hanging onto the doorframe. "Sorry?"
Fiona switched to sullen, but Jax wasn't buying it. She'd had acting lessons since she was a kid. Although she'd never had any huge parts in movies or TV, Fiona was a real drama queen. She stretched out a hand to him and that was when Jax saw the large contusion on her forearm. Fiona tried to pull her arm back but Jax held onto it.
"What the hell is this?" Concern filled Jax. Many years ago, he had cared for Fiona, and as much as she became a pain in his ass, she didn't deserve to get hurt. Jax removed his glasses, moved closer, and studied her face. She had more foundation caked on her skin. Jax pulled off the sunglasses and saw the purple mark around Fiona's left eye. "Did Antonio do this?"
Fiona tried to smile, but it didn't work. She sputtered, "He didn't mean it. It was an accident."
"Was this the first time?" When Fiona evaded his gaze, he received his answer. "How long has this been going on?"
Fiona burst into tears, sobbing into her palms. "I made such a huge mistake, Jax." She held onto his arms, her face pressing against his chest. Jax led her into the living room and sat her on the sofa. "I thought it was just a little play, you know. A little kink, but … it escalated. He never hit me on the face before."
"When did it start?"
Many would think that Jax shouldn't have been concerned, but Fiona was still Harley's mother. Somehow, he needed to know the truth and try to protect Harley. This could be devastating to his little girl. Through role reversal, Harley had been the one to take care of Fiona, even when she was much younger. Furthermore, if Fiona's husband was vile enough to beat his wife, how would he treat Harley if she was ever around the man?
"About a week after we got married," Fiona replied, wiping tears off her cheeks.
"You have to report this, Fi." He held onto her hand and tried to get her to look into his eyes. She had to realize the horrible effect this could have on all of them, especially Harley, if it didn't stop.
Fiona shook her head. "No. I'm divorcing him. It's just been so bad, Jax."
"When did that happen?" He pointed at her eye.
As though she had already forgotten the existence of the bruise, Fiona raised her hand and touched the tender area. "He's been complaining with all that's been going on with the press. He doesn't like that I'm talking to the reporters. Antonio thinks I still want to be with you and that's why I'm telling them my side. But you know how it is, Jax." She shrugged.