Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1)(62)

 

Yes, he knew how it was, and he knew how she could be. If there was a chance she could be a star again, to get another piece of those fifteen minutes of fame, she'd grab it.

 

"Oh my god," Fiona blurted out, then yanked Jax's arm. "You had her name tattooed on your arm?" Her voice echoed through the room. "What's the deal with this, Jax?"

 

Jax pulled back. There was no need to sugar coat this. "I'm in love with her, Fi. I want to be with her."

 

Her jaw dropped. She was speechless for a minute, but Jax could almost hear the gears grinding in her head. "I thought you were just having fun."

 

"No, Fi." Jax sighed. "I'm going to marry her. I want a real family."

 

"We can be a family!"

 

Jax couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. "That's ridiculous, and you know it. You're not the mothering type and I simply don't want to be with you."

 

Fiona slapped a hand over her chest. "That hurts!"

 

"Come on, Fi. Don't do this. You know there's no chance in-"

 

His words were cut off by the loud bang of the door hitting the wall. Before he could react, Antonio launched himself at him, crashing onto the oval coffee table, and then dragging him down to the marble floor. The first blow smacked him right on the face and Jax saw stars. A piercing sound rang through one ear.

 

"I knew you were shagging him!" Antonio said between punches. Jax instinctively blocked them with his arm and hands.

 

Antonio was a large man, built like a brick house. He had made his money peddling his workout videos to the rich and famous, but everyone knew that he'd also supplied his clients with illegal substances. He'd been arrested several times but not once had he stayed for more than two days in a real jail cell. Part of his success lay in his connections.  

 

Adrenaline kicked in, and as soon as Jax saw his chance, he brought his fist up and smashed it against the man's head. It connected and threw Antonio off him. Fiona stood screaming at the two of them, as Antonio charged back while Jax scrambled to stand. The larger man's shoulder made contact with Jax's gut. Even though Jax had his head in a lock, Jax felt the impact of Antonio's punches through his ribs, driving the air out of his lungs.

 

"Tony, stop!" Fiona begged "You're going to kill him!"

 

Jax countered with a hard jab on the man's side, then on his back. But Antonio was relentless and fought back, driving a fist onto Jax's solar plexus. It caused Jax to double over as the wind got knocked out of him. Antonio cursed him as Jax sputtered blood onto the white floors.

 

This man could end him right there and then. Jax didn't feel fear. What filtered into his head were Cade and Harley's faces. When was the last time he told Harley he loved her? Why hadn't he admitted his feelings to Cade?

 

Staggering backwards, Jax reached a hand up when, through one open eye, he saw Antonio raise his knee for a kick. But the blow didn't come. Instead, there was an explosion that burst in the room. Red liquid poured out and spread onto Antonio's shirt. When he fell forwards, Jax caught him with his arms, and stared shocked at Fiona standing with a crazed look on her face. Her hands trembled as she held onto the gun.

 

Zee appeared through the door, immediately disarming Fiona. Jax stared down at the bleeding man on the floor. How had his life come to this?

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

Cade's hand lay on his naked chest. She'd slept soundly only the past two hours. Jax knew this as she'd constantly woken up through the night to make sure he was okay. He dreaded to guess how she'd react to the news. But he couldn't let her find out from other people. If he wanted Cade to trust him, he had to be completely honest.

 

Jax lifted her hand to his lips, brushing them over her soft skin. She stirred, then slowly opened her eyes.

 

"Hey." Her voice was husky, and the warmth reached his heart.

 

"Good morning."

 

Cade raised her head to plant a kiss on Jax. "How are you feeling?"

 

"I'm in a bit of pain." He ran a hand through her long hair and rubbed her back. "It's time I was honest with you, Cade. Tell you what happened." And he did.

 

Throughout the retelling of the whole ordeal, he watched Cade's reaction; nothing but concern appeared on her face. She didn't interrupt him. She didn't ask questions. She just listened.

 

"The cops and ambulance came right away. Antonio is in the hospital. He's lost quite a bit of blood but he'll survive. Fiona claimed self-defence. Both of our lawyers are working the case. She's being looked after."

 

"Why are you here? You should be there too."

 

"I told you, Cade, I've been checked. I'll admit, I was a bit shaky when I returned but Zee has been guarding me since, hasn't really left my side until I asked him to meet you guys downstairs. It's been hard on him because he felt that he let me down. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have gone to see Fiona alone," Jax admitted.