8. Jax
8
JAX
S ince that day in the office with Emma, Jax had been unable to keep focus on his work. Every time she was near, he couldn't help but get distracted. It wasn't just because she was beautiful…
Jax watched as Kiyan strategically mixed a potion in front of him, but his eyes kept shifting to Emma who was standing next to him.
She was massively talented and quick-witted as well—a masterpiece of the female form, and he just had to have her.
Jax ran his tongue over his lips and nervously fixed his collar.
Her eyes shifted up to him from beneath her lashes. They were haunting. It felt as if she was daring him to do something dangerous.
Excitement swelled in his core. He hadn’t realized it until now, but Jax had been waiting for someone to challenge him in the way she did. She was something new and exciting.
I’m going to have her. Make no mistakes about it, he thought to himself triumphantly, as if she’d already given in to him.
His fantasies were interrupted when his office door flew open, revealing a smiling Diamond charging in toward him. Jax knelt down, inviting his daughter's hug.
Kiyan was so startled he almost dropped the potion ingredients he was mixing.
“Papa!” Diamond shouted as she wrapped her arms around her father's neck. She then looked over her shoulder, and griped, “You didn't tell me Emma was going to be here today!”
And just like that, she pushed out of his embrace and ran over to Emma.
Jax couldn't deny that he felt a bit disheartened being pushed aside so easily, but he also couldn't ignore the warm feeling in his chest that his daughter had taken such a liking to Emma.
Emma welcomed Diamond with open arms and picked her up off the floor. “Keep your concentration, Kiyan. One day you might have to make a potion in less than favorable conditions. You have to learn to block out everything else.”
“Yes, of course! I’ll do better next time,” Kiyan blurted out almost militaristically, as if Emma was some drill sergeant instead of his teacher.
She couldn't help but laugh at him, and Diamond joined in, giggling alongside her.
“You did just fine. Don't beat yourself up too much,” she reassured him, and Kiyan visibly relaxed. “It’s something that takes practice.”
His shoulders dropped, and his movements became more confident as he continued mixing the potion before him.
Emma really has a way with people… Just one more thing Jax admired about her.
The door opened again, and everyone turned around to see that Chika had entered the office.
Her eyes immediately narrowed at Emma. It was obvious she didn’t like the bond forming between her daughter and an attractive employee of his, nevertheless, Emma didn't put Diamond down.
And the list goes on; she’s bold and defiant in the face of danger as well.
Not wanting to make a scene in front of everyone, Chika ignored Emma and Diamond and directed her fiery gaze at her husband. “Investors for the new potion are here. I gathered them in the conference room for you. Don't be too long,” she warned as her eyes flickered around the room before leaving.
I guess I'm sleeping in the doghouse tonight…
Chika had developed a sharp hatred for Emma lately, which meant she’d likely picked up on something brewing between him and her, causing his wife to become even more vigilant about the time they spent together. It made working with Emma difficult, and getting into her pants borderline impossible!
“Let's continue this after my meeting. Kiyan, would you mind looking after Diamond? Miss Mirth, I need you with me.” After Jax instructed everyone on their roles, he left the office with Emma in tow. “You were right. He really does have a unique talent for mixing potions. The way he used his instincts to guide his creations is inspiring,” he said to her as they walked down the hallway toward the conference room.
“I told you so, and you didn't believe me.” She poked fun at him, moving closer to nudge him with her elbow.
He didn't move away the way a person normally would, though. He wanted to keep close to her.
She looked over at him curiously. “Sir?”
“You don't always have to call me that, you know.” His dark eyes lingered on her, the intensity and intent within them seeming to give her pause. “I’d like to hear you say my name more… In fact, I'd like for you to scream it sometimes, too.”
Emma bit down on her bottom lip, and nervously brushed her hair over her ear. “Is that so… Jax?”
She must have known exactly what she was doing to him, and he was absolutely feral for it.
The mood between them dissipated as they walked into the conference room filled with high-ranking people looking to invest in Jax's new potion.
Jax moved away from her as he shook hands and rubbed elbows with these men and women.
When he looked back at Emma, she looked shocked… No, petrified was a better description for it. It was an expression he’d never seen her wear before.
Jax followed her eyes to someone he knew very well.
General Achlys. Awh, that explains it. No one meets the warden of Ryklira prison without getting intimidated. Maybe it had something to do with that strange, choking magic surrounding her all the time.
Jax made his way between them to break the silence. “General Achlys, thank you for coming.” He reached out and shook the warden’s hand, feeling a paper tucked into her palm. He discreetly took it with him as he dropped his hand back to his side.
Jax looked around to make sure no one had noticed.
The only one who might have seen was Emma, but he trusted that she wouldn't have any idea what was going on.
“This is our new rising star of the company, Uremma Mirth. She is an exceptionally talented Potionist,” Jax introduced, forcing her into the conversation. At least she didn’t look so stricken anymore either.
“Really now? That's exciting. I wonder in what ways you'll be used to benefit the company.” Achlys’s eyes burned into Emma, but instead of it frightening her again, she seemed to have discovered a bound of courage within herself after that momentary lapse in composure earlier.
“My goals are a little higher than just being used . I'm going to do incredible things one day.” Though Emma’s smile appeared forced, she extended her hand out to Achlys without hesitation.
Achlys seemed to enjoy this banter between them. She chuckled to herself before nodding. “That's what I like to hear. A woman with ambition. How on earth did you manage to wind up here?”
Jax was confused by what Achlys meant by that, but Emma responded in kind.
“Fate, luck, perseverance.”
There was a silent understanding between them before we were interrupted by another investor.
“Excuse me, but don't you run Ryklira?” The slender man with blond hair came over, looking at Achlys with wonder.
Achlys’s eyes shifted to the slender man as if she were annoyed by the interruption. “Yes.”
“That is epic. I bet you never get tired of torturing those rats whenever you want.” The man clutched his stomach as he laughed at his own joke.
“Rats?” Jax asked, feeling his hands balling into fists at his sides.
“Yeah, you know? Rats. Those losers that end up in prison for the rest of their miserable lives.” The man spoke with less enthusiasm once he realized no one in the group shared the same sentiment as him.
Anger flooded Jax’s veins, sending adrenaline pumping into his heart. He had to concentrate on keeping his claws at bay.
I should just shift and rip this guy's head off!
“There's nothing funny about what those people struggle through. If you saw the conditions they lived in, would you still laugh?” Jax was able to stop himself from shifting, but he wasn't able to swallow the words that were boiling up in his throat. “What if it’s your friend, or your child—someone you care about—locked up in that awful place? Would you still joke about people getting tortured?”
“Gods, Mr. Ransom. I didn't realize you felt so strongly about the poverty-stricken and the destitute.” The slender man held up his hands in submission. “I won’t say anything on the matter again.”
Jax let out a breath, expelling the pressure that’d been building up inside of him. He then looked over to Emma, who seemed surprised by what he had said—and maybe a little impressed as well.