Jax

Breath in, Breath out. 

Esai's face is unreadable, his expression completely blank as he stares at me. I know he can read me like a book; he knows I'm putting up a front. I never could hide anything from him; no secret, emotion or problem - he learned from a single look what was going on inside my head; it is why I thought we would become mates. 

But that moment never came, and Esai became more desperate. 

I suppose he took his vow too seriously and never considered himself to be the one I needed protection from. 

---

Jax // age 6

My lower lip trembles as I run home; the rain pours down, soaking my clothes. They stick to me like another layer of skin, making it harder to move; they rub against my skin, and I sob in fear, embarrassment, and pain. How would I hide this from my father? How would I hide it from Esai?

I round the corner to the family estate and run through the gate; I don't wait to hear the gatekeeper; I just run until I'm up the steps and inside the house. Everything is quiet as I step inside, and I'm thankful - I didn't want them to know how weak I was. My clothes drip and create a puddle on the floor; I sob and rush through the entrance, turning to run up the stairs. I don't notice if anyone's home; I just run until I fall through my bedroom door and shut it behind me. 

I fall to my knees and stare down at my scratched hands, stained with blood, which makes my stomach lurch. I hadn't done anything to deserve this; I didn't want to give them my bike - my special present from Esai. 

"Jax - why did you run in like that? Why are you soaked?"

I choke back a sob and go to wipe my lip, only to wince at the deep gash they had created on my lip. I pull back my hand and notice the fresh blood; there is no way I could hide this from him. 

"I'm going to come in."

The doorknob clicks, and when the door opens, I don't turn around; I stay on the floor, my pale body shivering as I stare down at the blood on my hands. Esai's feet stop in front of me, and I hear his growl as he kneels and cups my face with his hands. 

"Jax, look at me."

I shake my head as he attempts to force me to look up. Finally, his strength overpowers me, and I tremble as he stares at my bruised face and lower lip - his eyes darken, and he reaches his thumb out to gently rub the blood away from my chin. 

"Who did this?"

I shake my head; I know that if he found out, he'd have them killed or do it himself. Even though Esai is only eight, he is brutal, a lot like his father - and I suppose when your dad is a gangster boss, and you are his heir, you learn to be cruel quickly. But, of course, I'd been with the Quinns since I was a child; Mr Quinn was practically my father, so I was used to torture, murder and manipulation; I was not too fond of it and never wanted to participate in it - not like Esai. 

"Jax, who did this to you? Who dare lay their hands on your beautiful face."

"I'm not beautiful."

"Yes, you are - now tell me who put their hands on you!"

I lower my head and place my hands flat on my thighs.

"Was it that bastard Michael? Shall I take his hands away from him?"

I feel him cup my chin and softly pull my face up to his. His expression is tender, and I lean into the touch, enjoying the warmth of his soft hands. 

"No matter what, Jax, I will always be there for you. You will have my protection for life, I swear it."

---

I tremble slightly as Knox continues to block me from view.

"Esai - I know I shouldn't have run away from you, but what you did was traumatising; I have suffered so much. If I hadn't escaped when I did, I don't know what would have happened to me."

"We would have had a baby."

"A baby that I didn't want."

Why didn't he understand me? How could he not see that what he did was wrong? I look at him and instantly regret it. Esai is slumped forward, his eyes downcast as tears fall from his eyes. 

"You are all I have."

"We aren't good for each other."

Esai shakes his head, and I clench my hands at my sides. Esai would never show his emotions; he'd hide them and release them in fits of rage; to see him crying made my chest tighten. Despite everything he's done, I still want to comfort him. I feel disgusted at that fact but can't help the feelings of regret and pain building within me.

"I've loved you since we were children - I have cared for and protected you. I put you before myself, and this is how you repay me?"

"I didn't ask you to do any of that, Esai, so don't you dare turn this back on me. You are in the wrong."

He slams his hand against the window, which causes Knox to growl in warning as I stand. Esai's chest heaves as he breathes in and out - he's battling with himself, but I won't back down this time. I can't.

"So you're going to give up everything we have for him."

"I wasn't giving anything up. I decided long ago that I didn't want to be with you intimately. I wanted us to remain friends, but if you are making me choose, then yes, I choose Knox. I chose him because he understands and respects me - not only that, but he is my Bonded partner and Mate. So I'm destined to be at his side."

A chair flies past my head, and I cringe at it hitting the wall behind me. I don't turn around to look at the damage; instead, I hold my head high and smile. 

"Please leave."

"You can't tell me what to do. You are no Boss here!"

Knox steps toward me and wraps his arm around my waist. I feel his body relax as he holds me possessively and stares at Esai with a confident smirk.

"My Omega is everything, and if he feels that you will impact any of my businesses negatively, then I will listen and oblige his wishes. He is far from nothing."

Knox stares at me with a smile; his whole expression softens as he cups my cheek.

"If anything, he's the ruler of my entire empire. I'm merely a servant on my knees, completely at his mercy."