Shadows Don't Disappear

The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the apartment. Grace stretched under the covers, her body still heavy with sleep. For a moment, everything felt peaceful—like last night had been just a bad dream.

Then she heard Jax's voice in the living room. Low. Tense.

She frowned, sitting up slowly.

Something was wrong.

Slipping out of bed, she padded quietly to the door, cracking it open just enough to hear.

"I don't care what you think you're doing," Jax's voice was sharp, barely controlled. "This stops now."

Grace's stomach twisted.

Sienna.

She moved closer, just enough to see Jax standing near the window, phone pressed to his ear, his shoulders tense.

"I mean it, Sienna," he said, his jaw clenched. "I don't know what game you're playing, but you need to let this go."

A long pause.

Whatever Sienna said made Jax's expression darken.

"No, you don't get to rewrite history," he snapped. "You and I were over long before you decided to pull this crap." He ran a hand through his hair, pacing. "And Grace? She's not going anywhere, no matter what you try."

Grace's pulse quickened.

Try what?

Jax exhaled sharply. "Don't contact me again."

He ended the call and let out a frustrated sigh, resting his hands on his hips.

Grace took a step forward. "Jax?"

He turned at the sound of her voice, surprise flashing in his eyes. Then his face softened. "Hey."

Grace folded her arms. "What did she say?"

Jax hesitated. Just for a second.

But it was enough.

"She's not done, is she?" Grace asked, her chest tightening.

Jax ran a hand over his face. "She's just—trying to get under my skin. She's pissed that I won't play along."

Grace studied him. "That's not all."

Jax sighed, shaking his head. "She said she had unfinished business with me. Whatever the hell that means."

Grace's stomach dropped.

That didn't sound good.

Grace felt a chill run down her spine. Unfinished business?

She tightened her arms around herself, watching Jax as he stood by the window, his fingers tapping against the edge of his phone like he was resisting the urge to throw it.

"What does she mean by that?" Grace asked carefully.

Jax let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Who the hell knows? It's Sienna. She loves playing mind games." He turned to look at her, his gaze softer now. "But whatever it is, I'm done. She doesn't get to control my life anymore."

Grace wanted to believe that. She really did.

But something about the way Sienna had spoken last night—the smug confidence in her voice—made Grace uneasy.

"She's not just trying to get under your skin," Grace muttered. "She's planning something."

Jax sighed, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Let her plan whatever she wants. It doesn't change anything." He walked over, his hands resting on her arms as he searched her face. "I don't care what she does. You are the only thing that matters to me."

Grace swallowed, forcing herself to hold his gaze. "And if she doesn't stop?"

Jax's jaw tightened. "Then I'll make her."

Something about the way he said it—calm but firm—made Grace believe him.

She exhaled slowly, nodding. "Okay."

Jax studied her for a second longer, then leaned in, pressing a slow kiss to her forehead. "Now, can we forget about her for at least one morning?"

Grace smiled slightly. "I'll try."

Jax smirked. "Good. Because I was thinking we could stay in today. No events, no press, no drama." He tugged her closer, his lips ghosting over hers. "Just us."

Grace's heart skipped a beat. Maybe a quiet day was exactly what they needed.

But just as she was about to answer, Jax's phone buzzed again.

They both froze.

Slowly, Jax pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen. His expression darkened instantly.

Grace's stomach clenched. "Who is it?"

Jax turned the phone so she could see.

Her breath caught.

It wasn't just Sienna.

It was a blocked number.

And the message on the screen made her blood run cold.

"Miss me already? You should. This isn't over."

Silence filled the room.

The air felt heavier, like something unseen was pressing down on them.

Jax stared at the message, his grip on the phone tightening. His jaw was clenched so hard that Grace thought he might break it.

"This has to be her," Grace said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jax exhaled sharply. "Of course it is. Who else would pull this kind of crap?"

Grace shivered, rubbing her arms. "She's obsessed."

Jax suddenly turned, marching toward the dresser where his keys and wallet were. Grace watched as he grabbed his jacket, his movements stiff with frustration.

"Where are you going?" she asked, alarmed.

"I'm done playing her games." He yanked the jacket on. "She wants to act like this isn't over? Fine. I'll end it myself."

Grace stepped in front of him, blocking the door. "Jax, stop. This is exactly what she wants."

Jax's chest rose and fell heavily as he looked at her, his eyes dark with anger. "What do you want me to do, Grace? Just sit here and let her keep messing with us?"

Grace swallowed, forcing herself to stay calm. "No. But running off to confront her isn't the answer. She wants you angry. She wants you chasing after her. If you do this, you're just giving her more power."

Jax ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room. "Then what? What do we do?"

Grace hesitated. She hated this feeling—this constant weight of knowing Sienna was lurking in the background, waiting to ruin things. But Jax was right. They had to do something.

"We ignore her," Grace said finally. "At least for now. She wants a reaction, so let's not give her one."

Jax let out a humorless laugh. "You really think she'll stop if we ignore her?"

"No," Grace admitted. "But she will if she gets bored."

Jax sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He hated this. She could tell. But after a long moment, he finally nodded.

"Fine," he muttered. "We do it your way."

Grace reached out, lacing her fingers through his. "We're in this together, remember?"

Jax's shoulders relaxed slightly. He squeezed her hand, exhaling slowly. "Yeah. Together."

But as Grace glanced at the phone screen again, a chill ran through her.

Because something told her that this wasn't the last they'd hear from Sienna.

Not even close