Chapter 94: Untitled Chapter

JAX

A Few Hours Earlier

“Fucking hell,” I swore, watching the tail of the SUV disappear from my sight. I've never been as desperate or as helpless as I was just a moment ago.

Watching Gianna leave after finding out we were ex-convicts was the hardest thing I've ever done.

“Trust me that went better than I had thought it would,” Ruin said, grimacing. The whole thing was messed up, getting arrested all of a sudden, then Dane getting hit by a fucking gun to the head and dragged along with me, and now this shit.

With everything that is going on, I would say someone had it out for us. The pictures the detective had wanted to use as evidence were as damning as ever.

If Gianna had wanted or was convinced with everything that asshole had said we would have both been screwed.

It was true that we kidnapped her and had sex with her; if she hadn't wanted it and was another woman, that would have been considered abuse.

And if she had admitted to it being that there was fuck all we could say to defend ourselves. The fact is we did all those things.

“Are you guys okay?” there was no answer. We aren't fucking okay not by a long shot.

“Of course not,” he said when we didn't say a word. “Dane, do you need to go to the hospital?”

“No, I'm good,” Dane replied, touching the cut above his brow, Fortunately it had stopped bleeding. My eyes fell on something white on the ground.

“Glad to hear that. I was busy with something very important; I had to leave it to come to bail you out when Gianna called.”

I picked up the card the detective had given to Gianna, it must have slipped while her family was dragging her away.

That bastard wasn't just being a good police officer like she probably thought. The man wanted her and the asshole couldn't even hide it well.

“She called you?” Dane asked, swallowing, his eyes haunted. Tonight must have been hard for him.

“Yes, why do you think I got here so fast? She was worried about you guys,” I glanced at Dane and saw the same heaviness I felt in his eyes.

This was not how it was supposed to happen. Gianna wasn't supposed to find out about our past like this. If I was to be honest I hadn't even considered telling her.

And that's because I didn't think we stood a chance with her, and now we don't because of that big-mouthed detective.

The fucking asshole!

“What are you gonna do with that?” Ruin asked when I pocketed the card in my jacket pocket.

“Fuck if I know, I just thought it might come in handy.” I hated the fucker, but Detective Nielsen as the card had stated, might probably prove useful in the future.

“Damon I have a quick stop on the way. I will meet you in your office,” said his lawyer, Evan Curtis.

“Is it an emergency? We can reschedule our meeting for tomorrow,” Ruin offered.

“No, it's nothing that serious. And rescheduling our meeting is not necessary. I will be done in an hour.”

“Alright see you soon.” the man nodded.

“Jax, Dane. You guys should stay out of trouble, okay?” I forced a grin and shook the man's hand. I also thank him for his help tonight. Dane did the same before he walked away and got into an Uber.

“Do you guys need a ride? Or should I get going,” Ruin asked, getting into his car.

“Just drop us off at the LuX hotel,” I said, getting in the backseat as Dane slid into the passenger seat. Ruin started his car and shot into the road.

“Now, guys, I know you probably want to explain shit and all to your girl,” he said, drumming his hands on the stirring wheel.

“She's not our girl,” Dane muttered, looking pained with the admittance.

“Could have fooled me,” Ruin said with a snicker, before his expression turned serious. “Listen and trust me when I say now isn't the right time. Her family will never let you near her, see that her Aunt? She looks like she could chew your heads off, and I don't think she was making idle threats about suing you.” I frowned.

“I don't fucking care about her Auntie. She can do whatever the fuck she wants to, but I can't let her go like this,” Dane replied coldly. Voicing my thoughts exactly.

“Neither can I. We have to talk to her not only because of us but because she might be in danger. You know as well as we do that something strange is going on, and we need to get to the bottom of it.”

“All right, as you wish. Just be on your sixth; that detective was hell-bent on screwing you, and if she or her family decide they don't want to talk, you better leave before they call the cops on you again.”

“Got it, and thank you for tonight. We owe you one,” I said.

“You don't owe me shit; we're friends, and friends got each other's back.” I nodded, I still owe him one.

It's how we operated living in foster care taught me that hardly anyone does things without expecting something in return. While Ruin is a close friend I've known for years. I hate owing anyone a favor.

“How are you guys getting back? You got money on you?"That question isn't worthy of an answer but I was surprised when Dane answered him.

“Our car is still there. We have to pick it up before it's towed away.” My brother looked tortured, and I feel the same way, but if I know him as well as I think I do. He's probably overthinking and blaming himself for shit. Shit, he had no control over.

“What are you doing?” I asked when he took out his phone and started calling someone.

“Are you calling Gianna?”

“Yes,” he grunts.

“Why? We're already on our way to see her. What? You can't wait until you see her? Or is it that something else is going on in your brain.”

“I can't see her,” he gritted.

“Why the hell not?” I asked, my mood not better than his.

“I don't think she would want to see me. You should go alone, I don't want to screw things up for you. I will explain everything to her over the phone.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Ruin glances at me, then Dane. He could probably sense the rising tension.

“What's going on with you two?”

“Just Dane talking a bunch of stupid shit,” I said, getting pissed because I could guess his thoughts.

“It's not stupid shit you dumb ass. I just want to explain to her that what happened years ago was a mistake. That you were innocent, you didn't kill that idiot I did. So it's unfair for people to judge you for a crime you didn't even commit.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you? Where's all this coming from?” I gritted.

“You're my brother, and it was my choice to go to jail with you because I couldn't bear the thought of being separated from you. We've never been apart and I wasn't going to let jail come between us.”

“I know why you did it, and a part of me understands it. Because I would do the same for you, but do you know how I felt all these years? I feel guilty, Jax. You were a great student with a bright future ahead of you, you were at the top of your class…”

“So were you,” I yelled but he wasn't listening to me.

“I let you go to jail with me. What kind of a brother does that make me?” he pulled at his hair with frustration.

“You didn't let me do shit. It was my choice, mine! And if I am given the chance, I will fucking do it again. You got me. I don't fucking regret it because you are my brother.”

“Well, I regret it! I regret it every fucking time I look at you and I recall how passionate you were about becoming an engineer. I feel guilty, Jax.”

There was so much pain and guilt in his voice that I paused. I knew he felt guilty, but I didn't know the depth of it was eating at him.

“My God, Dane.” A question that has always bothered me bubble up. “Is that why you agreed to work with me at NYME?” I said calmly.

“Partly,” he admits. I always feel like he hates what we do. Like he's only doing it for me.

Turns out I had been right all along and I understood what he was feeling right then.