Chapter 13: Reuniting on the Dock
The rain had finally slowed to a gentle, steady mist as the heavy loading dock doors of Pier 42 creaked open. Jax and Sarah stepped out into the cool night air, walking side by side down the concrete ramp. Miller followed closely behind, escorting a handcuffed Marcus Sterling, who marched with a defeated, sullen expression down toward the waiting black SUVs.
Parked fifty feet away near the water's edge, the hazard lights of the primary SUV blinked softly in the dim light.
Inside the vehicle, Leo pressed his face against the side window, staring out into the gray mist. When he saw the two figures walking out of the warehouse doors—one tall and imposing in a trench coat, the other wearing a familiar faded jacket—his breath caught in his throat.
The rear door of the SUV swung open before he could even reach for the handle.
Leo tumbled out of the vehicle onto the wet pavement, his legs moving on instinct. He didn't care about the puddles or the cold mud splashing against his sneakers. He ran as fast as his small legs could carry him across the open space toward the figures approaching in the dim light.
"Mom!" Leo cried out, his voice cracking with pure emotion.
Sarah stopped walking, dropping to her knees just as Leo reached her. She opened her arms wide, catching the boy as he threw himself against her chest with a force that knocked the wind out of her. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face in his wet, messy light-brown hair, letting out a sob of pure relief that she had been holding back all night.
"I've got you, baby. I've got you," Sarah whispered, tears streaming freely down her cheeks as she held him close, kissing the top of his head over and over again.
Leo buried his face in her shoulder, his big hazel eyes squeezing shut as the overwhelming fear of the past twenty-four hours finally melted away. He gripped the back of her shirt with both hands, refusing to let go.
A few feet away, Jax stood watching them. He kept his hands in his pockets, the heavy gold watch on his wrist ticking steadily in the quiet night air. A rare, genuine smile touched the corners of his mouth, softening the hard lines of his face and the short graying hairs in his beard.
May you like
Sarah looked up from the embrace, meeting Jax’s dark eyes through the mist. She didn't say a word, but her look communicated everything—profound gratitude, lingering shock, and a silent understanding that their lives had crossed paths for a reason.
Jax gave a small, respectful nod, tipping his head slightly before turning back toward the line of black SUVs where Miller was securing the prisoner.
