Chapter Six
J axon sat in the office of the clubhouse.
Gunner leaned back in his chair, across from him, fingers under his chin as he listened intently.
The Vice President of the Iron Sentinels had always been a man of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened.
Jaxon ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that betrayed the tension coiling in his gut.
He had always been the type to take matters into his own hands, to deal with threats personally, but things were different now.
The stakes were higher, and he had more to lose.
“I wanted to deal with Clay myself,” Jaxon began, his voice low but steady.
“But it’s not just about me anymore. I’ve got Harper and Mia to think about. I can’t afford to be reckless.”
Gunner nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing as he considered Jaxon’s words.
“Clay’s always been a thorn in our side, but if he’s getting bolder, it’s not just a personal issue. It’s a club issue.”
Jaxon leaned forward, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
“It’s escalating. The Vipers are pushing boundaries, and it’s only a matter of time before things get out of hand. I need your advice, Gunner. I can’t handle this alone,” Jaxon admitted.
Normally, Jaxon hated admitting any form of weakness.
In his world, vulnerability was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
It wasn’t just about pride—it was survival.
As one of the senior members of the Iron Sentinels, showing any sign of weakness could be a death sentence.
He was used to handling his problems on his own, but this time was different.
The stakes were higher.
Clay knew about Harper and Mia.
The mere thought sent a cold wave of dread through him.
Harper and Mia were his world now.
The knowledge that Clay had them in his sights made Jaxon’s blood run cold.
It wasn’t just his life on the line, it was theirs too.
That changed everything.
He had always been reckless with his own safety, taking risks that most would shy away from.
But Harper and Mia had altered that calculus.
They made him realize he couldn’t afford to be impulsive, not when the people he cared about could be caught in the crossfire.
Still, admitting he needed help, that this was bigger than something he could handle alone, went against every instinct he had.
But he couldn’t let his pride jeopardize the safety of Harper and Mia.
So, he swallowed his pride, pushed aside the ingrained need to handle everything solo, and went to Gunner.
The room fell into a contemplative silence, the only sound the faint hum of activity from the bar outside the office.
Gunner finally leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk as he met Jaxon’s gaze.
“You’re right to bring this to me,” Gunner said.
“The Vipers have been stepping on our toes more than usual. This isn’t just about you and Clay. It’s about them testing us, seeing how far they can go before we push back.”
Jaxon nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly at those words.
“So what do we do?” Jaxon asked.
Gunner exhaled slowly.
“I’ll talk it over with the Pres and the other senior members. We need to show the Vipers that we’re not going to sit back and let them walk all over us. But we need to be smart about it. No unnecessary risks.”
“Thanks, Gunner,” Jaxon said, relief washing over him.
“I appreciate it.”
Gunner clapped him on the shoulder.
“We’ve got your back, Jaxon. And Harper and Mia are part of us now too. We’ll make sure they’re safe.”
Jaxon left the office, his mind still racing but his heart a little lighter.
As he walked through the clubhouse, Bear caught his eye, raising a bottle in a silent invitation.
“Come on, Jax. Let’s have a drink,” Bear called out, grinning.
Jaxon hesitated for a moment before nodding and joining Bear at the bar.
The familiar routine was comforting, but as the night wore on, he found his thoughts drifting back to Harper and Mia.
He could no longer afford to lose himself in his old habits.
His priorities had shifted, and he wasn’t the same man he used to be.
After a few rounds, Jaxon excused himself, heading back to his room in the clubhouse.
The quiet solitude of his space offered a welcome reprieve from the noise outside.
He was just settling in when his phone buzzed, Harper’s name lighting up the screen.
“Hey,” Jaxon answered, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Hi,” Harper’s voice came through, warm and familiar.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all,” Jaxon said, leaning back against the headboard.
“What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you’re free this Saturday afternoon,” Harper began, a hint of hesitation in her voice.
“Mia’s usual babysitter isn’t available, and I could really use some help.”
Jaxon’s heart leapt at the opportunity.
“Of course. I’d love to. This is my chance to prove to you that I can be dependable.”
Harper’s soft laugh was music to his ears.
“I don’t doubt that. Thank you, Jaxon. It means a lot.”
“Anything for you and Mia,” Jaxon said sincerely.
“I’ll be there.”
Jaxon ended the call.
He was committed to being a part of their lives and being the man they could count on.
****
J axon woke early on Saturday morning, a rare sense of anticipation humming through him.
Today was different, special.
It was his first real chance to spend time with Mia, his daughter.
The word still felt surreal, but it also filled him with a warmth he hadn’t known he was missing.
He left the clubhouse before most of the others stirred, the morning still crisp with the promise of a clear day.
On the way to Harper’s bookstore, he made a quick stop at her favorite café.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods greeted him as he walked in, a stark contrast to the usual scent of motor oil and leather he was accustomed to.
He ordered a couple of coffees and a selection of pastries he knew Harper liked, hoping to surprise her.
When he arrived at the bookstore, it was bustling with the weekend crowd.
The familiar bell above the door chimed as he stepped inside, scanning the room.
His gaze quickly found Mia, seated in a quiet corner with a book nearly bigger than her lap.
She was engrossed, her small brow furrowed in concentration.
When she glanced up and saw him, her face lit up, and she waved enthusiastically.
Jaxon couldn’t help but smile and wave back.
Feeling a swell of something he couldn’t quite name—pride, joy, maybe both—he made his way through the crowd to find Harper.
She was behind the counter, helping a customer.
Jaxon waited until she finished before stepping up, placing the coffee and pastries on the counter.
“For you,” he said, leaning over to press a kiss to her cheek.
Harper’s eyes softened as she smiled.
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to,” Jaxon replied, savoring the way she looked at him, like he was something good in her world.
“And thanks again for letting me spend time with Mia today.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Harper said, her voice warm.
“She’s been looking forward to it.”
Jaxon nodded, glancing toward Mia, who was still absorbed in her book.
“Me too.”
With that, he took Mia’s hand, and they headed out for their day together.
Their first stop was the park, a large, open space filled with families, kids, and the distant sound of laughter.
Jaxon felt a little out of place at first, but Mia’s excitement was contagious.
They played on the swings, chased each other on the grass, and even attempted to fly a kite, though it ended up tangled in a tree.
After a while, they took a break, sitting on a bench with ice creams in hand.
Mia licked her cone thoughtfully before looking up at Jaxon, her eyes serious in the way children could be.
“Are you going to be around?” she asked, her voice small but direct.
Jaxon’s heart clenched.
He hadn’t realized how much that question would affect him.
“I hope to be,” he said honestly, meeting her gaze.
“I want to be.”
Mia nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer, and returned her focus to her melting ice cream.
But Jaxon couldn’t shake the weight of her question.
He knew how much it mattered, not just to Mia, but to Harper too.
He had to prove to them both that he was here to stay.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, they made their way back to the bookstore.
The crowd had thinned, leaving the space quieter and more intimate.
Harper’s assistant greeted them with a smile, letting them know she would handle closing for the night.
Harper appeared from the back, her expression brightening when she saw them.
“How was it?”
“Great,” Jaxon said, glancing at Mia, who nodded vigorously.
“She wore me out.”
Harper laughed, a sound that made Jaxon’s chest tighten in the best way.
“Thanks again, Jaxon. Really.”
“Anytime,” he said, meaning it.
“Have you eaten yet?” Harper asked, a hopeful note in her voice.
“I was thinking maybe you’d want to join us for dinner?”
Jaxon didn’t have to think twice.
“I’d love to.”
They walked to a cozy diner nearby, settling into a booth.
The atmosphere was warm, the clatter of dishes and the hum of conversation providing a comforting backdrop.
They ordered, and as they ate, the conversation flowed easily.
Mia recounted their adventures in the park with animated gestures, and Harper listened, her eyes crinkling with affection.
Jaxon found himself watching Harper more than he intended, admiring the way she engaged with Mia, the soft curves of her smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed.
It wasn’t just the warmth of the diner or the satisfaction of a good meal—it was being with them, feeling like he was part of something he hadn’t realized he needed.
When they left the diner, the air was cool, and the streets were bathed in the golden glow of streetlights.
Jaxon walked them back to their house, his hand occasionally brushing Harper’s, each touch sending a ripple of warmth through him.
As they reached the doorstep, Harper turned to him, her expression a mix of contentment and something deeper.
“Thanks for today,” she said softly.
Jaxon reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I should be thanking you.”
Without thinking, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.
It was soft, tentative, but full of promise.
Harper didn’t pull away, instead, she leaned into him, her hand resting on his chest.
“Do you want to come in?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jaxon nodded, his heart thudding in his chest.
They stepped inside, the warmth of the house enveloping them.
Harper helped Mia get ready for bed, and Jaxon listened from the living room, the sound of their voices filling him with a sense of belonging he hadn’t felt in a long time.
When Harper returned, she looked at him, a question in her eyes.
Jaxon stood, meeting her halfway.
They didn’t need words.
The pull between them was undeniable, a current that had been building since the moment they reconnected.
In the quiet of the house, they found each other again, their kisses deepening, their hands exploring.
It was tender, passionate, and full of unspoken emotions.
They made their way to Harper’s bedroom, the door closing softly behind them.