The Taste of Trouble

Jax's smirk was the last thing I saw before Ethan lunged.

A blur of fists, of rage and recklessness.

And then—chaos.

The sound of flesh hitting flesh, of bodies colliding.

Someone yelled—maybe me.

Because this wasn't just a fight.

This was a war.

And I knew—Ethan wasn't going to stop.

Not until it was too late.

Ethan's fist connected with Jax's jaw.

A sickening crack.

Jax stumbled, but he laughed.

Like he had been waiting for this.

Ethan went after him again, but before he could land another hit—

The two guys behind Jax moved.

I barely had time to react before they were on Ethan, yanking him back, throwing him against the wall.

Ethan fought, his body tense with fury.

But there were too many of them.

He was outnumbered.

And I?

I was powerless.

"Stop!" I screamed, pushing forward.

One of Jax's guys grabbed Ethan's arms, pinning them behind his back.

Jax stepped forward, brushing blood from his split lip.

"Damn, Carter." He smirked. "That temper of yours is going to get you killed."

Ethan struggled against the grip; his teeth clenched.

"You think I'm afraid of you?" he spat.

Jax laughed.

"No."

His gaze slid to me.

"I think you're afraid of losing her."

My heart stopped.

Ethan's entire body went still.

And that's when I knew—

Jax had just won.

Jax turned fully toward me now, like he had all the time in the world.

"You're the real problem, sweetheart."

I swallowed hard. "Leave him out of this."

Jax raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I don't think so."

He stepped closer, and I had to force myself not to flinch.

Not to show fear.

Because Jax fed on fear.

He reached into his jacket, pulling something out.

I barely saw the flash of metal before my pulse spiked.

A knife.

Not a gun.

Jax wanted control.

And he wanted me to see it coming.

Ethan snapped.

He surged forward, but the guys holding him slammed him back against the wall.

Jax barely glanced at him.

His focus was still on me.

He twirled the knife between his fingers.

"Tell me, sweetheart." His voice was almost casual. Mocking.

"How far do you think Carter here is willing to go for you?"

Ethan's breath was ragged, his eyes wild with rage.

I saw the truth there.

Ethan wasn't afraid of dying.

He was afraid of me getting hurt.

And that?

That was what Jax wanted.

To make Ethan helpless.

To make me choose.

So, I did the only thing I could.

I chose him.

"Let him go," I whispered.

Jax smirked. "And what do I get?"

I exhaled shakily.

I knew what he wanted.

Me.

He wanted to pull me away from Ethan.

To make Ethan watch.

And as much as it killed me—I had no other choice.

I lifted my chin.

"I'll go with you."

Ethan's head snapped toward me.

"No."

My stomach twisted.

Jax grinned. "Now we're talking."

"No," Ethan repeated, his voice hoarse.

Jax waved the knife lazily in his direction.

"It's not up to you."

Ethan struggled harder, his muscles straining against the grip.

"You don't touch her," he growled.

Jax rolled his eyes. "Relax, Carter. I just want to talk."

He reached for my wrist.

Ethan lost it.

"Don't you f**king touch her!"

Jax grinned.

"Or what?"

Ethan thrashed against the hold, but it was useless.

Jax dragged me closer.

And suddenly?

I couldn't breathe.

Because this was really happening.

I was leaving with him.

And I had no idea if I'd make it back.

Jax pulled me toward the exit.

Ethan was still fighting, his voice shredded, desperate.

"Liv, don't do this."

My throat closed.

I wanted to look at him.

Wanted to tell him this wasn't the end.

But if I did—

I wouldn't be able to walk away.

So, I didn't.

I just let Jax pull me into the night.

And the last thing I heard before the door slammed shut behind me—

Was Ethan roaring my name.

The second we stepped outside, Jax leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.

"You just made the biggest mistake of your life, sweetheart."

A shiver ran through me.

Because I knew—he was right.

I had just walked into the lion's den.

And now?

I wasn't sure I'd ever make it out.

Liv sacrifices herself to save Ethan.

Jax finally has what he wants. But what does he really want with her?

Ethan is left behind—powerless, furious, and ready to burn the world down to get her back.

Liv realizes just how dangerous Jax really is.