Chapter 29: Chapter Twenty-Eight

I woke up a few hours later sweaty, but at least I wasn’t screaming this time. I got up and took a shower. I looked over my scar covered body. There was barely a spot on my torso and thighs that didn’t have a scar in it. My eyes traveled down to my hip where the three brands were bubbled up and colored white. My beautiful lightning scar was almost completely covered by whip and burn marks, the only place you could still see it is at the base of my neck.

I slipped into an oversized sweater and yoga pants. Settling into my chair at my desk, I got to work checking intel on various assignments given to troops. After a couple of hours, I decided to take a break and walk to the coffee shop down the street from my apartment. It didn’t take too long before I was back in my building with my caffeine fix.

When I reached my hallway, I saw Jax sitting outside my apartment smelling like sex and vaguely of Fox. “What the fuck Jax?”

“What do y-” He took a minute to smell the air and started laughing. “No, oh gods, no. Alanza and I just got done, you know. We were talking and thought maybe if we couldn’t get you and Fox together, all you need to get you through the night is his scent. So I went into his apartment and stole a few things for you,” he grinned proudly.

“You think you’re so fucking smart don’t you?” I said, letting us into my apartment.

“Just say thank you and bow down at my feet, and you can have your stolen goods.”

“How about I beat the shit out of you then dump you outside Fox’s place and tell him what you did, so he’ll beat the shit out of you too,” I said, staring him down as I took a drink of my coffee.

“Damnit. You probably would do that too,” I nodded, “Fuck. You drive a hard bargain, but here are your goods, my lady.” He bowed deeply, holding out his hand with the bag full of Fox’s clothes.

“Goddess’s sake, Jax. You could’ve left him a few clothes to wear.”

He laughed out loud, “Yeah he’s not going to be happy when he wakes up. Thank the gods he isn’t a super. At least this way I have a little t-” Just as he was about to finish his phone rang, “Uh-oh. Now how did he figure that out so quickly?” He said quietly to himself.

He answered the phone and Fox didn’t even give him a chance to say anything, “Why the fuck did you take all of my clothes, Jackson?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Grey,” he looked at me with a thumbs up and a smile.

“The fuck you don’t. I know it was you. Bring them back now.”

“I still don’t know what you’re talking about, Grey. You might want to get checked for paranoia,” Jax gave me a wink. I rolled my eyes.

Suddenly there was a pounding on my door, “Open up Jackson. I know you’re in there.”

“How the fuck did he find me?” Jax looked at me as if asking me what to do.

I did what would keep my neighbors happy, I walked over to the door and opened it wide. Fox’s shock was palpable. I walked away leaving the door open, and glared at Jax. “Thank you so much for listening to me last night.”

He had the decency to look upset with himself, “What do you mean last night? How long has this been going on?”

Fox slammed the door shut effectively gaining my attention, as I turned to him furious that now he cares. I slammed him against the door, “What gives you the right to ask questions like that? You have ignored any request made of you in regards to me and you allow women in bars to throw themselves at you.” He opened his mouth as if to deny it, “Don’t. I can smell her on you. So tell me what gives you the right?” He opened and closed his mouth several times like a fish. “That’s what I thought,” I said, shoving off of him. I walked silently to my room and changed into my running clothes. I could hear them whispering but didn’t make an effort to listen in on it. When I walked out they shut up, “Jax lock up when you leave. Don’t let him stay in my apartment.”

“Amaya,” Fox said and I hated that it sent a shiver down my spine.

I didn’t let him say anything else, I just walked out and started my run. I ran longer than usual trying to make sure they were out of my apartment before going back.

I was almost finished with my run when Daniel mind linked me, “Are you free for breakfast?”

“Yeah. I’m just killing time. Meet at the usual spot?” I linked back.

“See you there in ten,” he linked back before cutting the connection.

I got to the diner before Daniel and slid into our usual booth, ordering a coffee. I wasn’t seated long before he walked in and slid in across from me. The server dropped off my coffee and took out her pad to take Daniel’s order too. “Just coffee, thanks,” Daniel said, “How’s the intel check going?”

I took a sip of my coffee, “Fine. So far there isn’t anything unusual.”

He nodded, “Good. Lyosha thinks he might have a way of tracking Joseph.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

We fell quiet as our server dropped off Daniel’s coffee and topped mine off, “He thinks so,” Daniel responded once our server walked back behind the counter. “He and Lavi are putting it to the test soon. It’s supposed to follow hotspots of rogues and various other known allies of his. Lyosha thinks if we follow their movements, we could get closer to catching him.”

“That’s great. It sounds like a pretty solid plan,” I responded.

“Let’s hope,” he said, taking a drink with a thoughtful look on his face, “Why are you killing time?”

I sighed before recounting this morning’s events, “I’m just trying to give it enough time before heading back.”

“Jax’s intentions and actions never meet up do they?” Daniel said with a chuckle.

I smiled, “Very rarely.”

“After your mom was killed, sleeping with a shirt of hers helped after I got Ruairi back under control. I still have a few things to help me through the night, so I think Jax is onto something.”

I blew out a breath, “Yeah. It doesn’t mean I have to be happy with how he handled it. He and Alanza keep trying to push us together as if Fox will ever be able to move past my other side.”

He sat back, assessing me, “It will be a long time before I forgive him for not coming to you after your run in with the hunters.”

Niamh growled in my head, “He’s right and you know it,” I told her, causing her to growl louder.

I rolled my eyes, “You know I’m right,” Daniel said.

“The eye roll wasn’t for you. I know you’re right, but Niamh is delusional and completely in love with the asshole.”

“The goddess wouldn’t have paired you without accounting for who he is as a skeptic. You guys will work it out. The goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” I mumbled.

Daniel paid quickly, “Not with this,” he said with a pointed look, “Come on I’ll walk you home.” When we got to my apartment, Daniel insisted on walking me to my door.