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I put a man in the hospital. It doesn’t matter that he did the same to me. The thought hits, and suddenly I can’t breathe. My chest locks up, air catching halfway in, like my lungs just forget how to work. Tears spill before I can stop them. I never wanted this. I never wanted to hurt anyone again.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”

The words break apart, swallowed by a sob before I can finish. Conor is there before I even realize he’s moved. He shifts me in the chair, pulling me close until I’m half in his lap, his arms wrapping around me in a hold that’s firm but careful. My head is guided into the space between his neck and shoulder, his hand steady at the back of it, keeping me there.

A soft kiss presses to my forehead. That’s all it takes. A broken sob tears out of me, louder this time, impossible to hold back. I grip onto his t-shirt. No longer holding on to the bear. Now it’s Conor holding me in place.

“Shhh… it’s okay,” Conor murmurs, his voice low against me. “You did what you had to do, Jax.”

His fingers comb through my hair in slow, repetitive strokes, grounding, patient. It’s like he’s willing to stay there as long as it takes for me to come back down. My breathing stutters, then starts to even out under his touch.

I lean into him, giving in to it completely. Letting myself be held, letting myself be touched like I’m allowed to have this. God… if I could keep this. If I didn’t have to lose it, maybe it would be enough. I don’t think I’d ever let him go.

Chapter 23

Conor

Holding Jaxon feels right. There’s no hesitation in it, no doubt. This is where he’s supposed to be. With me.

I press a kiss to his hair, keeping my voice low as I murmur to him that he’s okay and that he’s safe. It doesn’t come naturally to me, saying things like that.

But Ronan made it clear that it matters. That sometimes actions aren’t enough—that the people you care about need to hear it, too. Apparently, ever since Ollie and Colton came into his life, he thinks he’s some kind of expert on reading people.

Maybe he’s right. Because right now, every instinct I have is telling me to find every person who’s ever hurt Jaxon and end their miserable existence.

“I’m sorry I keep breaking down on you.” Jaxon looks up at me through wet lashes, eyes glassy and uncertain.

It hits harder than it should. I’ve never been this drawn to someone before. Even like this, tear-streaked and raw, he’s still… beautiful.

Something tightens low in my gut, then shifts into something lighter, almost unsteady. I want to take care of him. I just need to figure out how.

I glance up at Ronan, who’s got Ollie in his arms, talking to him like it’s the most natural thing in the world. If my brother, who is about as expressive as a brick wall, can do this, then so can I.

“It’s okay,” I murmur, just loud enough for him to hear. “I meant it, I don’t mind.” My hand slides down his back in a slow, steady motion. “Come on. Let’s get some food in you, and then we’ll finish talking.” I nudge him gently, keeping my voice low. “You need rest.”

He nods and slowly straightens in his chair. Mom stands and crosses over to him.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” she says gently. “You’ve got us now.” Her hand squeezes his shoulder before she steps back. “I’ll get lunch. Conor’s right, you need to rest.”

“I’ll help,” Colton says, already on his feet as he follows her into the kitchen.

Ronan shifts Ollie onto his feet, and the second he’s steady, the kid squirms free and toddles after Mom and Colton. Ronan watches him go for a second before turning his attention back to us.

“I don’t think the Russians are going to be a problem,” he says. “From what I can tell, it was a clean fight.” He leans back slightly. “Henry, on the other hand, is going to have some explaining to do. Danny didn’t sanction that fight, and he definitely didn’t authorize using the warehouse.”

The words settle uneasily in my chest. “You… saw the fight?” I brace myself before he even answers.

“Yeah,” Ronan says without hesitation. “Those idiots didn’t fully wipe the recording. They cleared the local files, but the whole thing was still sitting in the cloud backup.”

The thought of that recording being seen by anyone ignites something sharp and violent in my chest, heat spreading fast, like a fire catching and roaring out of control. Every hit Jaxon took. Every strike he had to give back just to stay standing. The very idea of someone watching it for entertainment turns my stomach, the heat in my chest twisting into something darker, something that burns from the inside out.

“Delete it, Ronan.” I’ve never begged my brother for anything in my life, but right now I’d do just about anything to make sure that recording disappears. Jaxon stiffens beside me, and I tighten my arm around him automatically, pulling him closer.

“Already done,” Ronan says, shooting me a look. “Do you really think I’d leave something like that sitting around?” He leans back slightly, completely unfazed. “Besides, Colton likes my face exactly how it is… and Mom’s a hell of a lot scarier than you.”

I nod once at Ronan in thanks. Beside me, Jaxon finally starts to relax as Mom and Colton come back in, arms full of food.

“Franklin made you pasta with a cream sauce,” Mom says as she sets a plate in front of Jaxon. “And a few other things that’ll be easy on your stomach but still fill you up.”