Chapter Twenty-Seven
Estelle
The Bentley's leather seats molded to my body, expensive and warm beneath the soft brown dress Jax had brought to the academy.
He'd appeared in my classroom doorway with a garment bag and that knowing smirk, dismissing my protests with a single look.
The dress fit like it had been made for me, because knowing Jax, it probably had been.
His hand rested on my thigh as he drove, thumb tracing lazy circles that sent heat spiraling through me.
In the rearview mirror, Leo and Avery huddled over the iPad he'd given Leo, their heads bent together in concentration. He’d helped me configure the parental controls on it.
"You're quiet," Jax observed, his voice carrying that particular tone that meant he was cataloging every micro-expression. "Nervous about meeting the others?"
I smoothed imaginary wrinkles from the skirt. "It's not every day you meet three famous boxers and their... people."
His laugh was rich, golden. "Sierra's not 'people,' princess. She's Connor's almost-wife. And she's nothing to be intimidated by." His fingers squeezed gently. "You'll like her."
"And Adrian?" I'd seen enough magazine covers to know the third member of their infamous trio was... a lot.
"Adrian is a unique experience," Jax answered, a smirk playing at his lips. "Just don't let him talk you into anything. Ever."
"Jax!" Avery piped up from the backseat. "Is Toffee gonna be there? Leo's never met him, and I told him he's the bestest cat in the whole universe!"
“Yes, pumpkin,” Jax replied, his eyes softening as they always did when he spoke to his niece, and now, me. “Toffee will be there, but remember what we talked about? You have to ask Sierra before you pick him up.”
Avery's dramatic sigh made me smile. She was a whirlwind of energy and affection, especially toward Leo, who still seemed both bewildered and charmed by her attention.
We listened to the kids chatter for a while before Jax cleared his throat. “There's something I've been meaning to tell you,” he said, his voice casual. “I've got a fight coming up. Next Saturday.”
I glanced at him, surprised. “A fight? Like... a boxing match?”
He laughed. “Yes, princess. A boxing match. That's what I do, remember?” His fingers found my knee. “A title defense.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. "Oh. It’s an… important one?”
The look he gave me was half amused, half incredulous. “It's a title defense, princess. So yeah, it's important.” At the red light, he turned to face me fully. "I want you there."
It wasn't a question, but it wasn't quite a command either. Something in between, with Jax's particular brand of expectant certainty.
I hesitated, thinking of Leo. “What about?—?”
“Leo will stay with Jovie and Avery,” he cut in, reading my mind. “I've already asked her. But you…” His hand moved from my knee to cup my cheek, blue eyes intense. “I want you there. Watching me.”
The light turned green, and he returned his attention to the road, but I could feel the weight of his words pressing against me. The idea of watching him fight and seeing his power sent excitement through me.
“I'll think about it,” I said finally.
His smile was slow and knowing, like he could see straight through me. “You'll be there.”
He pulled into a parking garage beneath what had to be one of the most exclusive buildings in the city. The Bentley purred to a stop in a private area marked “Graves.” There was a fancy black car already parked, and the most… insane looking green car I’d ever seen.
“We're here,” he announced, turning to the backseat. “Avery, remember what we talked about? Best behavior.”
“I know, I know,” she said, already unbuckling her seatbelt. “No picking up Toffee, no running in the penthouse, no asking Connor why he’s always grumpy.”
Jax's lips twitched. “That's my girl.”
The private elevator ride to the top floor was quick and silent, except for the excited whispers between Leo and Avery. Jax kept his hand on the small of my back, a steady, warm presence.
The private elevator led to a hall and another set of doors, which Jax opened into a stunning foyer that made me forget to breathe.
Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city in golden afternoon light, and the space itself was modern but warm, with soft colors and strategic bookshelves lining the walls.
“Connor?” Jax called, guiding me further inside. “We're here.”
A deep, rumbling voice responded from somewhere deeper in the penthouse. “Living room.”
We followed the sound, Avery practically bouncing ahead while Leo gripped my hand.
We rounded the corner, and there they were. Connor and Sierra, curled up on a massive sectional sofa, her smaller frame tucked in his much larger lap as she read from a book he was holding for her.
Connor “Killer” Graves was even more imposing in person than he seemed online.
He was huge, slightly taller than Jax, with broad shoulders and a solid wall of muscle encased in a simple black t-shirt.
His dark hair was short, his eyes equally dark and intense beneath heavy brows.
He also had tattoos wrapped around his forearms. Everything about him radiated quiet, controlled danger.
But it was the way he looked at Sierra that caught me off guard. When she glanced up at our arrival, his hand instinctively tightened around her waist, his expression softening from granite to something tender.
Sierra took my breath away. She was beautiful and soft-looking, with long, dark hair and wide, expressive eyes.
She wore a lavender cardigan and jeans with no makeup that I could detect, but she was so naturally pretty that she fit perfectly in this luxurious setting.
Her smile, when it came, was genuine and warm.
“You’re Estelle,” she smiled, setting her book aside but not moving from Connor's lap. “I'm so glad to finally meet you.”
I smiled back, feeling strangely self-conscious. “It's nice to meet you, too. Jax has told me a lot about you both.”
Connor's eyes assessed me with unnerving thoroughness before he nodded once, apparently satisfied with whatever he saw. “Welcome.”
Before the silence could grow awkward, a whirlwind of color and energy burst into the room.
“Where's my favorite girl?” a booming voice called. “And my other favorite girl? And my new favorite girl? And my favorite cat?”
Adrian the “Catalyst” made even Jax and Connor’s tattoos look understated. He was just as tall and muscled as they were, but that's where the similarities ended. Every visible inch below his face was covered in vibrant tattoos.
He wore ripped jeans and a bright, cropped tank, his hair deliberately tousled. Despite his intimidating size, his chiseled face was open and playful, green eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Adrian!” Avery squealed, launching herself at him. He caught her with practiced ease, swinging her up onto his shoulders.
“There's my girl! And who's this little dude?” He crouched down to Leo's level, still balancing Avery on his shoulders. “You must be the famous Leo. I've heard so much about you, little man. ”
Leo pressed closer to my side, a little overwhelmed, but managed a small smile. “Hi.”
“Adrian,” Jax warned. “Dial it back. You're scaring him.”
Adrian straightened, looking comically offended. “Me? Scary? Never!” But he did lower Avery to the ground and took a small step back, giving Leo space and a bright smile.
Sierra managed to slip from Connor's lap, though his hand lingered on her until the last possible moment, and she approached with a gentle smile. “Leo, I’m Sierra. Would you like to meet Toffee? He's hiding under the coffee table.”
Leo looked up at me for permission, and I nodded, my heart warming that he wanted to join her. Sierra seemed sweet. “Go ahead.”
As she led Leo and Avery to this mysterious cat, Connor stood and moved to the bar along one wall. “Drink?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling through the space.
Jax guided me to one of the sleek armchairs. “Scotch for me. Estelle will have white.”
It seemed like Jax had developed an uncanny ability to anticipate my preferences, my needs, and my desires before I recognized them myself.
Connor poured the drinks, handing them out before returning to the couch.
Sierra rejoined him immediately, settling back onto his huge lap that seemed designed for her.
His arm wrapped around her tightly, his fingers tracing small patterns over her arm.
The gesture was so intimate that it made me feel like I should look away.
“So,” Adrian said, sprawling dramatically across a blush chair. “Estelle. The woman who tamed the Lion.” He grinned at Jax. “Never thought I'd see the day.”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “I wouldn't say…”
“Careful,” Jax snapped to Adrian, his hand settling possessively on my knee. “You're on thin ice already.”
I couldn’t believe Jax was holding me so possessively in front of his friends, like I truly belonged to him.
Adrian just laughed, reaching for his beer. “Worth it. You should've seen his face when he told us about you, Estelle. Like he'd been hit by a truck.”
The line immediately made me remember his run-in with the car, and I winced at the memory. Adrian shot me a weird wink.
Sierra rolled her eyes fondly. “He means well.” She leaned forward, her expression warm. “Jax said you work at Seaside? I've heard a lot about it.”
The conversation flowed more easily after that.
Sierra was surprisingly easy to talk to, passionate about books, with none of the condescension I'd expected from someone who’d ensnared a champion.
Connor rarely spoke; his eyes tracked Sierra’s every movement, attuned to her in an intense and tender way.
Adrian kept the mood light, telling outrageous stories that had even Leo giggling once he overcame his shyness. Jax remained close beside me, his hand rarely leaving my body—knee, shoulder, nape of my neck. A constant reminder that I was his.
At some point, Toffee emerged from under the coffee table and stalked across the room with regal indifference. Avery gasped in delight, and Adrian’s massive form immediately dropped to his knees.
“Come here, you magnificent beast,” he cooed, wiggling his tattooed fingers. “Adrian brought you treats.”
The cat gave him almost a quizzical look before deliberately walking over to Sierra, leaping into her lap, and settling down with his bottom to Adrian.
“Wow,” Adrian sighed dramatically. “This is betrayal of the highest order."
I stifled a laugh, finding my cheeks hurting from how much I’d been enjoying myself here.
Connor's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. “He knows a predator when he sees one.”
Adrian gasped loudly, “I am NOT a predator,” he protested. “I am a DELIGHT.”
"You're a menace," Jax corrected, but there was affection in it.
The banter continued, but I found myself observing more than participating. The three men were so different, yet clearly bound by something deeper than friendship. There was a shorthand to their communication, inside jokes, and shared glances that spoke of years of history.
Sierra fit so naturally into this world of wealth and power, yet there was nothing artificial about her. She laughed openly, spoke her mind, and seemed completely comfortable in their presence and Connor's possessive embrace.
I wondered if I could ever belong like that. In Jax's world, in his life. The gun night had changed things between us, I felt like. Deepened us in ways I was still processing. But this inner circle of his was something else entirely.
As if sensing my thoughts, Jax's hand found mine, fingers intertwining. “Princess?” he murmured, his lips close to my ear.
I leaned into him, moved by his concern. “Just taking it all in.”
His smile was soothing. “They like you,” he said confidently. “Even Connor, and he hates everyone.”
“I heard that,” Connor rumbled.
Jax just grinned, unrepentant. “Am I wrong?”
Connor's eyes flicked to me, almost warm, then back to Sierra. “You’re not.”
From Connor, I suspected that was high praise indeed.
Later, as Sierra showed me around their beautiful penthouse while the men discussed the upcoming fight, she looked at me closely.
“I'm really glad you're here,” she whispered sincerely. “It'll be nice to have someone around during the fights. They get intense sometimes.”
“Do you go to all of them?” I asked, watching her face.
“Every one,” she said without hesitation. “It's hard to watch sometimes, but...” She glanced through the doorway at Connor, her expression softening. “Being there matters to him.”
I thought about Jax's request. His assumption, really, that I would be there for his title defense. Watching him fight, watching him risk injury, seeing the violence I'd only glimpsed hints of directed at an opponent.
“I don't know anything about boxing,” I admitted, feeling a little silly. This was nothing like the world I grew up in. I’d never imagined flashing cameras or screaming crowds before.
Sierra smiled warmly. “Neither did I, at first. But you learn. And honestly,” she lowered her voice, “you won't be watching the sport. You'll be watching him. That's different.”
Her wise words stayed with me for the rest of the evening, through dinner and dessert, and Leo falling asleep against my side as Adrian and Avery constructed an elaborate pillow fort in the corner of the living room.
When it was time to leave, Connor surprised me by speaking directly to me for the first time in hours.
“Saturday,” he said, more a statement than a question, though the option was there. “You’ll be sitting with Sierra?”
I blinked, caught off guard. “I?—”
“She'll be there,” Jax answered for me, his hand warm and steady on my lower back. “Won't you, princess?”
Four pairs of eyes watched me: Jax's confident, Connor's assessing, Adrian's amused, and Sierra's soft and understanding.
I realized I'd already made my decision.
“Yes,” I murmured, the word feeling like a commitment to something far beyond a single fight. “I'll be there.”
Jax's smile was brilliant, possessive, and deeply satisfied. “Good girl.”
As we rode the elevator back down to the garage, Leo asleep in Jax's arms and Avery nodding off against his hip, I thought about the strange, beautiful world I was stepping into. About the man beside me who had crashed into my careful life and turned it upside down.
I didn't know if I belonged in Jax Easton's world, with its penthouse views, designer clothes, and beautiful, dangerous men. But I knew I wanted to belong.