6. Jax
Chapter six
Jax
A Jungle Book -themed stuffie stared back at Jax from the store shelf, its wide eyes reflecting an innocence that he hoped could bring comfort. Baloo the bear seemed a fitting choice. He tossed it into the shopping cart and continued down the aisle.
"Is she a Little?" Jax pondered, scanning through rows of clothing adorned with Mowgli and his friends. He had no reason to think that Mia was, other than the fact that she loved The Jungle Book and that her childhood best friend, Savannah, definitely was.
But even adults who didn’t identify as Littles needed to retreat into the safety of childhood favorites sometimes, didn’t they? He selected a soft, oversized sweatshirt featuring Bagheera looking fierce yet protective.
His cart was filled with essentials—toothbrushes, deodorant, canned food, water bottles—but he couldn't help but add chocolate chip cookies to the mix. His heart raced as he pictured her taking solace in the simple, nostalgic treat.
"Hey, bro," Jax said, dialing his brother Blake's number as he exited the store. "Listen, I gotta go away for a bit."
"Jax, what's going on? You in trouble?" The concern in his brother's voice was palpable.
"Nothing like that," Jax reassured him, loading bags into his car. "Just. . . . You and Nash were right. I've been overdoing it with the internet lately. It’s more of a problem than I thought. Gonna check into rehab, clear my head, you know?"
"Damn, man," Blake sighed. "Well, if you think it's best. Nash and I will hold down the fort while you're gone. Just promise you'll keep us updated."
"Of course," Jax lied, knowing Mia's safety depended on secrecy. "I'll call when I can."
“How long will you be?”
“Dunno,” replied Jax. “A couple of weeks, maybe? Depends on how quick my recovery is.”
“Shit, little brother,” said Blake. “I’m proud of you for doing this.”
“Thanks,” Jax said, his throat dry. He hated lying like this, but it was his only option right now. He didn’t want anyone knowing where Mia was, especially not Savannah. And there was no way Blake could keep that from her. So, it was better if nobody knew at all. Something told Jax that given the tight security at the strip club, the traffickers weren’t going to take the escape of one of their assets very lightly.
He hung up the phone and finished packing the car, his thoughts consumed by the vulnerable woman he was determined to save. As he drove toward the strip club, Jax tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "I'll get you out of there, Mia."
The strip club's neon lights flickered like a moth-infested streetlamp, casting erratic shadows across Jax's face as he entered. The bass-heavy music thudded in his chest, and the air was thick with stale smoke and sweat. He swallowed hard, his nerves momentarily overwhelming him.
"Hey there, newbie," Chad sneered, stepping out from behind a pillar to block Jax's path. "You look a little green. Just remember, we don't tolerate any funny business around here."
"Relax, man," Jax replied, his voice steady despite the knot of anxiety in his stomach. "I'm just here for a drink and a good time."
Chad leaned in, his hot breath reeking of alcohol and tobacco. "If I so much as think you're causing trouble, I'll break every bone in your jacked-up body. Got it?"
The fact that this jerk was threatening him was laughable. Still, Jax had to keep a low profile, even if it meant ignoring this asshole’s rudeness.
"Got it," Jax muttered. With a final glare, Chad stepped aside and allowed Jax to continue into the dimly lit room.
Jax scanned the area, searching for Mia amid the writhing mass of bodies. Tension coiled inside him, both from the danger of their situation and the anticipation of finally seeing her in person. And then, suddenly, there she was—a vision of fierce beauty in the hazy, colored lights. Their eyes met, and Jax couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief.
He gave her a subtle nod, barely noticeable to anyone else, before moving to lean against the bar. His heart pounded in his chest as Mia returned the gesture, acknowledging their secret connection while maintaining her alluring fa?ade.
"Keep it together, Jax," he thought, fighting the urge to check his watch. "This is just the beginning. We can do this."
Jax tapped his fingers against the bar, forcing a smile as he ordered a whiskey. The bartender slid the glass toward him and Jax gripped the tumbler, feeling the cold surface beneath his fingertips. He took a sip, letting the liquid fire warm his insides and sharpen his focus.
"Time to get this show on the road," he thought, his eyes scanning the room as he made his way to an unoccupied corner booth. From here, he could take in the entire club. The thumping music vibrated through his body, heightening his senses.
Since this place was impossible to hack into, Jax was going to have to rely on old-fashioned methods to get Mia out.
As he surveyed the scene, he spotted his targets: the fuse box behind the bar, its metal door ajar like a tempting secret, and the glass fire alarm trigger near the exit, gleaming in the dim light. His palms itched with anticipation, but he knew he had to be patient—one wrong move could jeopardize everything.
"I haven't felt this alive in years," Jax mused, taking another swig of whiskey. He glanced over at Mia, who was gyrating on stage for a leering crowd. It made his blood boil to see her like that, but he reminded himself of the sweet freedom she’d soon have.
If everything went according to plan.
"Alright, let's do this," Jax decided, setting down his drink and making his way to the restroom. The stench hit him as he entered, but he ignored it, focusing instead on his mission. He pulled a book of matches from his pocket, struck one, and held it just below the heat sensor on the ceiling.
He watched as the flame flickered, casting eerie shadows across the grimy tiles. And then, like clockwork, the sprinklers burst to life, dousing the entire club in a torrent of water.
"Perfect," Jax thought, smirking to himself as he snuffed out the match. He hurried back into the main room, the chaos unfolding around him like a twisted symphony.
Strippers squealed and slipped on the slick floor, customers shouted in confusion, and the music became a distorted mess as the speakers shorted out. Jax's heart raced, adrenaline surging through his veins as he wove through the pandemonium, keeping a watchful eye on Mia.
"Almost there," he thought, steeling himself for the next phase of their daring escape.
Jax's heart pounded as he maneuvered his way through the chaos, eyes locked on the fuse box behind the bar. The din of panicked voices and splashing water drowned out any coherent thought, but Jax knew what he had to do.
"Hey, watch it!" a disgruntled customer yelled as Jax shoved past him, nearly slipping on the wet floor.
"Sorry," Jax muttered, not really meaning it. He was on a mission, and nothing would stand in his way.
Reaching the bar, Jax crouched down and pulled a pair of wire cutters from his pocket. There was no time to hesitate. "Here goes nothing," he thought as he snipped the wire, plunging the club into total darkness.
A collective gasp echoed through the black void, followed by a cacophony of curses and frantic murmurs. Jax smirked in satisfaction, knowing their escape was just within reach. But he had one final move to make.
"Let's make some noise," Jax whispered to himself before heading to the door and pressing the glass shield to start the fire alarm. Immediately, it screamed out all around them.
"Everybody out! Now!" a bouncer shouted, attempting to corral the panicked crowd toward the exit.
"Get your hands off me!" Mia's voice rang out, fierce and determined. Jax's chest swelled with pride, admiring her strength even in the face of danger.
Panic swirled around Jax like a hurricane as he slipped through the chaos, the darkness swallowing him whole. He could barely make out the silhouettes of people scrambling for the exit, but there was no sign of Mia anymore. He hoped she was following him.
His fingertips brushed against cold metal, and he realized he had reached the door. In an instant, he was outside, the night air cutting through the lingering heat from the panicked crowd.
"Babygirl, please be right behind me," he prayed silently, making his way to his car. The damp pavement glistened under the streetlights, and his senses felt heightened as he fumbled for his keys. Within moments, he unlocked the car and slid into the driver's seat, the familiar leather providing some small comfort.
"Fuck, what if she's still inside?" Jax couldn't help but question, his fingers drumming anxiously on the steering wheel. "What if Chad got to her first?" He took a deep breath to calm his racing thoughts. "She's smart. She's tough. She'll make it out."
As the seconds ticked by, he clutched the Jungle Book-themed stuffies he'd packed for Mia like a lifeline, the soft fabric a reminder of the connection they shared, even amidst the darkness that surrounded them.
"Come on, Mia, I need you here with me," Jax whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "This is all for you."
The seconds turned into minutes, Jax's heart pounding like a jackhammer in his chest, the weight of their uncertain future pressing down on him.
"Please," he begged to the universe, his fingers crossed tightly as he stared out at the chaos before him. "Please let her be okay."
And with that final plea, the world seemed to slow down, the suspense hanging heavy in the air like a thick fog, the outcome of their fates hanging in the balance.