Chapter 26 – Jaxon
The stairwell leading to Declan Frost’s office was quiet, the pounding bass from the club below fading to a distant hum. As I climbed, my mind raced. Declan didn’t call people upstairs unless it was important — or bad. My gut said this was the latter.
At the top of the stairs, I knocked once, the sound sharp against the thick wood of the door.
“Come in,” came Declan’s voice, low and measured.
I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me. The office was as meticulously designed as the man himself — sleek black leather chairs, glass shelves lined with vintage liquor bottles, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city lights. Declan sat behind his desk, his dark suit immaculate, his expression unreadable.
“Jaxon,” he greeted, gesturing to the chair opposite him. “Have a seat.”
I didn’t sit right away. “What’s going on?”
Declan leaned back, steepling his fingers. “I had an interesting conversation tonight. It seems Sean Weston has been making waves again.”
I clenched my jaw but said nothing.
“I assume you’re aware of the incident in VIP?” he continued, his tone calm but laced with the kind of authority that demanded answers.
“Yeah,” I said, finally sitting down. “Sean got into it with Calloway. It was handled before it escalated too far.”
Declan’s gaze sharpened. “Handled, maybe. But this isn’t the first time Sean has caused trouble, and it won’t be the last. Your word got him in the door. Now he’s putting my business — and my reputation — at risk.”
“I know,” I admitted, my tone clipped. “I’m working on it.”
“Working on it,” Declan repeated, his voice flat. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. “Jaxon, I’m a patient man, but my patience isn’t infinite. Sean is a liability. If he steps out of line again, I won’t be as forgiving.”
The weight of his words settled over me. Declan wasn’t bluffing. He rarely gave second chances, and Sean had already burned through his.
“I understand,” I said, meeting his gaze.
Declan studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Good. Because this isn’t just about him. It’s about you. You’ve built a reputation here — strong, reliable, someone I can personally trust. Don’t let him tarnish that.”
“I won’t,” I said firmly.
Declan leaned back again, his sharp expression softening ever so slightly. “I hope not. For your sake as much as mine.”
For a moment, silence filled the room, broken only by the faint hum of the city outside. Declan sat, his posture relaxed but his presence commanding.
His sandy blond hair, always neatly combed, caught the faint glow of the overhead light, though a few strands managed to fall out of place, softening the edges of his otherwise sharp demeanour.
It was his eyes that struck most people first — an icy, storm-cloud grey that seemed to see right through you, missing nothing. Combined with his high cheekbones and the faint stubble that lined his jaw, Declan Frost was a picture of polished intensity. There was an old-world air about him, something unshakable that whispered of his Irish roots. Though his voice carried the refined tones of a man long settled in the States, there was still the faintest trace of an Irish lilt that emerged when he spoke certain words, a reminder of where his mother’s side of the family had come from.
He gestured toward the door with a slight flick of his hand. “That’s all. Go make sure the place stays standing.”
I stood, giving him a curt nod before heading for the door.
“Jaxon,” Declan called as my hand touched the doorknob.
I turned back, my brow furrowing.
His eyes sharpened, though his tone remained conversational, the calm before the storm. “Madeline. She’s here a lot lately, isn’t she?”
“Yeah,” I said cautiously.
“She’s become friendly with Quinn,” he observed, his fingers tapping a rhythmic beat on the desk.
“She has,” I said evenly. “They get along.”
Declan raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. “Seems like she’s fitting in like she’s been part of the furniture for years.”
“She’s easy to like,” I admitted, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Declan smirked faintly, like he’d just caught me in something. “Easy to like, huh?”
I straightened slightly, clearing my throat. “She’s good people. Quinn likes her. Leah likes her. She’s not causing any trouble.”
“No,” he said thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. “She’s not. But someone spending that much time here? It makes me curious.”
“She’s here with me,” I said firmly. “That’s all there is to it.”
Declan leaned back in his chair, the soft leather creaking under his weight. His stare remained locked on mine, assessing, weighing every word I’d said like he was adding it to some invisible ledger. Then, with a slight nod, understanding flickered across his face, the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Well, as long as she’s not a distraction. You’ve got enough on your plate without adding more to it.”
“She’s not a distraction,” I said, a little too quickly.
Declan chuckled under his breath, waving a hand dismissively. “Relax, Jaxon. I’m just making an observation. Go on, get back downstairs. Maybe check on Quinn while you’re at it. If she and Madeline are together, there’s no telling what kind of storm they might be stirring up.”
I turned toward the door, hand on the knob, when Declan’s voice stopped me again.
“Brooks,” he called, his tone casual but laced with curiosity.
I glanced back, brow furrowed. “Yeah?”
“Where are your dog tags?” he asked, nodding toward my neck. “I’ve never seen you without them. Don’t tell me you lost them.”
I froze for a second, caught off guard by the question. My hand instinctively went to my neck, but of course, the familiar weight wasn’t there. “They’re... somewhere for safekeeping,” I said, a little too vaguely.
Declan leaned back, his sharp gaze turning coy. “Safe around Miss Hart’s neck, perhaps?” there was a brief pause before he continued, the tone lighter. “Tell her I said hello. She’s a lovely girl.”
The corner of my mouth tugged upward in a faint smirk, and I gave him a nod before leaving the office.
As I headed back downstairs, his words stuck with me. Declan wasn’t wrong — she was lovely.
Madeline had slipped into this world so easily it was almost alarming. She was building connections, forming bonds with people like Quinn and Leah, and somehow, it didn’t feel out of place.
I made my way back down the stairs, the bass from the club’s music vibrating faintly through the floor. Declan’s words stuck with me, like a quiet warning I couldn’t shake. Sean was a problem, but for now, he was gone. That meant I had a little breathing room to focus on the one thing in this place that felt like it mattered more than the rest – Scout.
The bar was buzzing as usual, laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. It didn’t take long to spot her. She was leaning against the bar next to Quinn, who was mid-story, her hands flying as she gestured wildly. Maddie laughed at something Quinn said, her head tipping back, the sound cutting through the noise and settling something tight in my chest.
I made my way over, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. As I got closer, Maddie caught sight of me, her smile softening into something smaller but just as warm.
“Hey, Superman,” she teased, her voice light as she turned to face me. “You finish saving the day?”
“For now,” I replied, leaning a forearm on the bar beside her. “But the night’s young.”
Quinn grinned, not missing a beat. “Does that mean you’ll have time to finally admit you and Maddie are a thing? Because, honestly, the suspense is killing me.”
“Quinn,” Maddie groaned, her cheeks flushing pink as she swatted at her friend. “Subtlety is a thing, you know.”
“Not in my vocabulary,” Quinn shot back with a wink.
I shook my head, smirking. “Don’t you have someone else to terrorize?”
“Nope,” she said, popping the ‘p’ for emphasis. “You two are way more fun.”
Quinn finally bounced off about ten minutes later, her attention snapping to a group of rich college guys strolling through the doors. Her eyes lit up like Christmas morning at the sight of their designer suits and Rolex watches gleaming under the club lights.
I knew exactly what was going through her head — big tippers. Quinn was sharp like that, always spotting opportunity a mile away.
With a fresh tray of champagne flutes in hand, she sauntered toward them, her hips swaying in that calculated way she used when she knew she had an audience.
She’d be working that group in no time, charming her way to bigger tips with a practiced smile and just enough flirtation to leave them wanting more. It was Quinn’s thing, and she was damn good at it.
As Quinn disappeared into the crowd, Maddie let out a soft sigh beside me, resting her elbow on the bar and propping her chin in her hand. Her gaze shifted back to me, her expression softening now that we were alone.
“She’s got the energy of ten people. I don’t know how she does it,” Maddie said, shaking her head with a small laugh. There was a hint of admiration in her tone, the kind you reserved for someone who lived unapologetically.
I smirked faintly, watching her for a moment before her focus sharpened on me, her brow creasing slightly.
“Everything okay?” she asked, her voice quieter now. “You look... tense.”
I hesitated, debating how much to say. “Just club stuff. Sean’s gone for the night, so that’s one less thing to worry about.”
Her brow furrowed. “Gone? What happened?”
“Same old,” I said with a shrug, keeping my tone casual. “Got into it with a high roller and stormed off when I shut it down.”
Maddie’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowing slightly. “He’s been like this a lot lately.”
“Yeah,” I admitted, meeting her gaze. “And it’s starting to feel like too much.”
She reached out, her hand brushing mine lightly on the bar. The simple touch sent a strange wave of calm through me, though her words carried an edge.
“You know you’re not responsible for him, right?” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “He’s a grown man, Jaxon. If he’s screwing up, that’s on him.”
I nodded, though her words didn’t ease the knot in my chest. “I know. Doesn’t make it easier to watch, though.”
Maddie tilted her head, her eyes narrowing just a little, like she was weighing her next words carefully. Then, with a small smirk, she added, “Can’t say I’m not interested to know what he’s up to though…”
My gaze snapped to hers, and for a second, I saw the faintest spark of curiosity behind her calm demeanour.
“Scout,” I warned, my voice low.
“What?” she asked, shrugging innocently. “It’s not like he’s subtle. The guy’s practically walking around with a flashing sign over his head that says, ‘I’ve got secrets.’”
“Don’t make this into something it’s not,” I said firmly. “Sean’s just...not in the best place. That’s it. No hidden agendas, no big conspiracy.”
Her lips twitched like she was fighting back a smile. “You don’t think he’s up to anything? At all?”
“I think he’s a pain in the ass, but that doesn’t mean there’s some grand plan behind it.”
She leaned back slightly, studying me with that sharp, inquisitive look I’d come to expect from her. “Maybe,” she said finally, the smirk still playing at her lips. “But I still think there’s more to him than just bad decisions.”
“Leave it alone, baby,” I said, my tone softening just slightly.
Her gaze didn’t waver, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she just nodded slightly, her hand lingering against mine on the bar. “Okay,” she said softly.
The warmth of her hand against mine grounded me in a way I didn’t realize I needed. For a moment, the noise of the club faded, and all I could focus on was her—her steady gaze, her quiet strength.
As Maddie tilted her head, watching me curiously, I pulled out my phone, the idea forming before I even realized it. Declan would probably have something to say, but I wasn’t in the mood to care.
Me: Taking the rest of the night off. Everything’s handled on the floor. Let me know if anything comes up.
I hit send and slid the phone onto the bar, keeping one eye on Maddie as she studied me with a mix of amusement and suspicion.
“You wanna get out of here?” I asked, leaning slightly closer. “Do something... fun?”
She blinked, caught off guard by the shift, before a slow smile tugged at her lips. “You, Jax Brooks, know how to have fun?”
Her tone was teasing, light, but there was something in her gaze that made me smirk. “I’ve been known to surprise people.”
Her laugh bubbled up, soft and unguarded, cutting through the noise around us like a balm.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen.
Declan: Everything okay?
I typed a quick reply.
Me: Yeah. Just need to clear my head. Sean’s gone, Calloway’s quiet, floor’s covered. It’s under control.
I watched the screen for a second before his next message came through.
Declan: Alright. You’ve earned it. Don’t make a habit of this, though.
Me: Wouldn’t dream of it.
I thought that was the end of it, but another buzz followed.
Declan: Take care of her.
That last message lingered on the screen, heavier than I’d expected. I locked the phone and slid it into my pocket, glancing at Maddie, who was now watching me with that same teasing smile.
“So,” she said, crossing her arms in mock challenge. “Show me how you have fun, Brooks.”
Her words tugged a grin from me as I nodded toward the door. “Let’s go.”
She slid off the barstool, her hand brushing mine as she steadied herself. The brief touch sent a flicker of warmth through me—not overwhelming, but grounding, like it was exactly what I needed.
As we moved through the crowd, Maddie glanced toward one of the card tables and raised a hand in a quick goodbye to Leah, who was deep in conversation with a customer. Leah caught sight of her and waved back with a small smile before turning her attention back to the table.
We passed by the lounge area, and sure enough, there was Quinn, working her magic on the same group of college guys from before. She was laughing at something one of them said, her tray of champagne flutes balanced effortlessly on one hand as she gestured animatedly with the other. Maddie gave her a small wave too, which Quinn barely caught as she threw a wink in return before turning back to her marks.
“She’s good,” Maddie said under her breath, grinning as we reached the doors.
“God help them,” I replied, smirking.
The thrum of the club faded into the background as we stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against my skin.
For the first time all night, things felt a little lighter. And maybe, just maybe, I was starting to figure out why.