Chapter 5
FIVE
JAX
The low hum of conversation fills the room as we settle around the long, battered table. The carnival’s been a headache for most of us, but things have finally quieted down over the last couple of days—at least enough for us to focus on club business again.
Mason sits at the head of the table, arms crossed, listening as Tank and Piston run through the latest on security. Dagger’s beside him, casually flipping a pen between his fingers, unreadable as always. Rev is focused, jotting down notes like he always does, while Blade leans back in his chair, looking way too entertained—probably already thinking of ways to stir up shit.
“The crowd’s been manageable,” Piston says, his voice gruff. “Couple of drunks we had to deal with, but nothing major.”
“Yeah,” Tank adds. “People seem to like having us around. Makes them feel safer.”
Mason nods, his expression unreadable. “Good. That’s the goal. The mayor’s been singing our praises, but I don’t want us letting our guard down. We’re not here to play nice—we’re here to keep this town in line.”
There’s a murmur of agreement around the table, but I can feel Blade’s eyes on me, that familiar smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Here we go.
Blade leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “So, Jax, you planning on taking up a second job as a knight in shining armor, or is this just a one-time gig?”
I roll my eyes, leaning back in my chair. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Rev grins, barely looking up from his notes. “Oh, don’t play dumb. Word gets around fast. You stepped in like a damn hero at the carnival the other night, didn’t you?”
I cross my arms, exhaling sharply. “It wasn’t like that.”
Blade snorts. “Nah, of course not. You just happened to be in the right place at the right time, saved the girl, and then what? Walked her home under the stars?”
The table erupts in laughter, and my jaw tightens.
“I just stepped in because some drunk asshole wouldn’t leave her alone. That’s it.”
Dagger raises an eyebrow, his tone calm but curious. “Who was it?”
“Mike,” I say flatly.
Rev lets out a low whistle. “That guy’s a walking problem. Good thing you handled it.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” Blade says, smirking. “So, what’s next? Gonna start offering damsel rescue services full-time? Maybe get yourself a shiny badge to go with that cape?”
More laughter.
I glare at him. “Can we not turn this into some goddamn fairy tale? It wasn’t a big deal.”
Mason finally speaks up, his tone dry. “What are we, a bunch of chicks? You want to sit here gossiping all night, or are we going to get back to business?”
The room settles, though the undercurrent of amusement lingers. Mason leans forward, giving me a pointed look.
“Good work at the carnival so far. Let’s finish strong. Jax, if you’re done playing hero, maybe you can focus on the books.”
I nod, biting back a smirk. “Yeah, I’ll get right on that.”
As the meeting continues, I let their teasing roll off me, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Bella. They can joke all they want, but what happened that night felt bigger than just stepping in to help.
The meeting wraps up, and I’m the first one out the door, eager to escape the room before Rev and Blade find another excuse to give me hell. The late afternoon sun casts long shadows over the parking lot as I pull out my phone. I glance at the time—4:17 p.m. on Thursday.
Most people are looking forward to the weekend by now. Me? Weekends don’t mean much. Club life doesn’t come with set hours or scheduled days off. But Bella? She’s probably got a normal weekend ahead of her. I can imagine her running errands, grabbing coffee with a friend, and maybe curling up with a book.
But I wonder if she’s ever done something unexpected. Something dirty.
Shaking the thought away, I tap out a message and hit send before I overthink it.
Me: Hey, Bella. How’s your week going?
The message feels simple, casual enough. But my pulse quickens anyway as I slide the phone back into my pocket and head to my bike. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way—curious, intrigued. Most of the women who’ve come and gone in my life didn’t stick in my head like this. Bella’s different, though.
She’s got this spark, this way of carrying herself that feels both soft and sharp at the same time. I don’t know much about her yet, but I want to. And that thought alone is enough to make me smile.
The late afternoon sun is dipping low as I walk to my bike outside of Perdition. Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I glance at the screen. No reply yet. I shake my head at myself, chuckling under my breath. It hasn’t even been five minutes.
I lean against the bike, arms crossed, and stare out at the quiet street, my thoughts circling back to Bella. She’s probably busy, I tell myself, not glued to her phone like most people. But before I can pocket my phone again, it buzzes.
Her name lights up the screen, and I open the message.
Bella: Hey, Jax! Week’s been okay. Work’s busy, as always, but I can’t complain. How about you?
I smile at the reply, my fingers moving quickly over the keyboard.
Me: Busy’s good, I guess. Keeps you out of trouble. My week’s been… loud. Carnival crowds and drunk idiots don’t leave much room for peace and quiet.
Her reply comes almost instantly.
Bella: Sounds… chaotic. Are you surviving, or are you about to lose your mind?
I laugh, shaking my head.
Me: Surviving. Barely. What about you? Got anything exciting planned for the weekend?
It takes a few minutes for her to respond. I picture her sitting somewhere cozy, probably chewing on her lip while she thinks of what to say.
Bella: Not really. Might go bowling with my sisters, maybe read a little. Nothing too wild.
Bowling and reading. That fits.
Me: Wild. You’re living dangerously, huh?
Bella: Hey, don’t knock it! Bowling can be pretty intense if you take it seriously.
Me: I’ll take your word for it. Can’t say I’ve ever been much of a bowler. Not exactly my scene.
Bella: No? What is your scene, then?
I lean against the bike, staring at the screen as I think about how to answer. The truth is, my scene is whatever keeps the club running, keeps the brothers safe, and keeps people like Bella out of trouble. But that’s not exactly casual conversation.
Me: Let’s just say my weekends don’t look much like yours. But maybe I’ll give bowling a shot one of these days. If you’re up for teaching me.
Her reply comes quickly, and I can almost hear the smile in her voice.
Bella: Deal. But fair warning, I’m competitive.
Me: Noted. I’ll keep that in mind. You enjoy your weekend. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
Bella: What exactly wouldn’t you do?
I smirk, letting my thumbs hover over the keyboard for a moment before typing my reply.
Me: Now that’s a long list.
Her laughing emoji comes through almost instantly, and I pocket my phone, feeling lighter than I have in days.
Bella’s the kind of woman who makes you want to know more, even when you know better than to get attached. But as I fire up the bike and ride off, I know one thing for sure, I’m not about to ignore the pull I feel toward her. Not now. Not ever.