The Taste of Trouble

The second Jax's hand tightened around my wrist, I knew.

I had made a mistake.

A huge, irreversible mistake.

I had thought—stupidly, desperately—that sacrificing myself would stop this.

That giving Jax what he wanted would keep Ethan safe.

But as Jax led me toward the waiting car, I felt it—the shift in the air.

This wasn't about ending things.

This was just the beginning.

Jax shoved me into the car, slamming the door shut behind me.

The lock clicked.

Trapping me inside.

My pulse skidded off track.

I turned to Jax, my breath uneven.

"What do you want?"

He smirked, leaning back against the seat.

"You, sweetheart."

I clenched my fists. "Why?"

Jax's expression darkened.

"Because Carter thinks he can protect you." His lips curled. "And I like proving people wrong."

A chill crawled down my spine.

Because suddenly?

I realized—this wasn't just about Ethan.

It was about me.

The car drove through the city, the streets blurring past.

I swallowed hard.

"You don't have to do this."

Jax laughed, shaking his head.

"Oh, Liv." He tilted his head, studying me. "You still think you have a choice in this?"

I forced my voice to stay steady. "Ethan's not going to let you get away with this."

Jax's smirk widened.

"Good."

I frowned. "What?"

Jax exhaled, stretching out like he was completely at ease.

"I want him to come." His voice was smooth. Amused.

Like he was enjoying this.

"Because the moment he does?"

He leaned in, his smirk turning sharp.

"I'll finally get what I want."

My stomach dropped.

Because this wasn't just about hurting Ethan.

This was about breaking him.

I should have seen this coming.

The way Jax watched Ethan.

The way he played his games, setting traps, pushing Ethan closer and closer to the edge.

This wasn't just personal.

This was war.

And now?

I was the tool of choice.

The automobile slowed and drew into an empty warehouse lot.

I had little time to respond before the door was pulled open.

One hard hand grabbed my arm and pulled me out.

Though I battled, the hold was too powerful.

Jax walked ahead, leading me toward the warehouse doors.

And then—I saw him.

The man waiting at the entrance.

Tall. Broad.

Familiar.

Too familiar.

My breath caught.

Because standing in front of me—looking right at me—

Was someone I never expected.

Someone I trusted.

Tessa.

I blinked, disbelieving.

No.

No, this couldn't be real.

"Tessa?" My voice broke.

She didn't move.

Didn't speak.

Just watched.

My stomach twisted, my pulse skidding into panic.

"Tessa," I tried again, my voice shaking. "What are you doing here?"

She exhaled slowly.

And then—

The words that shattered me.

"I told you, Liv."

She tilted her head, her expression unreadable.

"You should have picked a side."

I felt the betrayal like a knife.

Sharp. Brutal. Unforgiving.

I shook my head, stepping back.

"No." My voice was barely a whisper.

This wasn't happening.

Tessa—my best friend, my person—

She wouldn't do this.

She couldn't.

I turned to Jax, realization slamming into me.

"This was your plan?"

Jax shrugged. "You make it sound so simple."

His smirk widened.

"But yeah, sweetheart. This was always the plan."

I couldn't breathe.

Because suddenly—everything made sense.

The warnings.

The way Tessa kept pushing me to talk to Ethan.

The way she never fully walked away.

She wasn't just trying to protect me.

She was playing both sides.

And now?

I was the one who had lost.

Jax stepped forward, his eyes dark with amusement.

"You didn't think she'd always be on your side, did you?"

I swallowed hard.

I turned back to Tessa.

"Tess…"

For the first time, her expression cracked.

Something flashed in her eyes.

Regret.

Pain.

But it was too late.

She had already made her choice.

And I?

I had made mine.

Ethan.

I had chosen Ethan.

And now?

I was paying the price.

Jax sighed, almost like he was bored.

"Enough talking."

He turned to Tessa.

"Take her inside."

I stiffened.

Tessa hesitated.

Just for a second.

But then—

She stepped forward.

Grabbed my arm.

And just like that—my world collapsed.

The last thing I saw before the warehouse doors slammed shut?

Jax, pulling out his phone.

Smirking.

Dialing a number.

And saying the words that sealed my fate.

"Tell Carter we have her."

Tessa's betrayal is revealed—she's been working with Jax.

Liv is trapped, and Ethan has no idea what he's walking into.

Jax finally has what he wants—control.

Ethan learns the truth. And he's coming.