Chapter 7: The Safehouse in the Woods
The drive lasted nearly two hours, taking them far away from the concrete sprawl of the city and deep into the dense, pine-scented hills of the northern valley. The black SUV wound its way down an unmarked gravel road hidden beneath a thick canopy of ancient trees. Finally, the vehicle emerged into a small clearing dominated by a sprawling, modern minimalist cabin made of dark timber and massive glass panels.
The sun had completely set, leaving the forest shrouded in absolute darkness save for the automatic security lights that clicked on as they approached.
Leo stared out the window, exhausted. The adrenaline that had kept him upright all afternoon was rapidly fading, replaced by a deep, heavy fatigue. His eyelids drooped, and his tan shirt felt stiff and uncomfortable against his skin.
Jax opened the door and stepped out into the crisp night air, inhaling the clean scent of pine. He walked around and opened Leo’s door, offering a steady hand to help the boy down.
"Here we are," Jax said quietly.
They walked up the slate steps and entered the cabin. Inside, it was warm and quiet. A stone fireplace dominated the living room, though it wasn't lit. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out into the pitch-black woods. Miller and another guard swept through the rooms methodically, checking the perimeter and activating the advanced security systems before nodding to Jax and retreating to an outbuilding down the gravel path.
Jax led Leo toward a large leather sofa. "Sit, kid. You're safe here. Nobody knows about this place except me and a very short list of people I trust with my life."
Leo sat down, his small frame swallowed by the oversized cushions. He pulled his knees up again, resting his chin on his arms. "Will we find my mom?"
Jax walked over to a wet bar in the corner, pouring a glass of water. He walked back and handed it to Leo, his expression solemn. "We will. My people are already checking every feed, every toll booth, and every hospital in the tri-state area. Whoever took her wanted leverage against me. That means two things: she is valuable to them, which also means she is alive."
Leo took the glass, his hands trembling slightly as he took a small sip. The cool water felt good against his dry throat. "Why do they want you?"
Jax paused, leaning against the back of a heavy wooden armchair. The golden chain necklace peeked out from his freshly changed black shirt, and the gold watch caught the warm glow of an overhead lamp.
"Because of choices I made a long time ago," Jax said honestly, refusing to lie to the boy. "I built a company, Leo. A very large, very powerful company. And in doing that, I stepped on the wrong toes. I trusted the wrong people. Today, one of those people tried to settle the score by putting me in that river. When that failed, they went after the closest thing to me."
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"You weren't close to us," Leo pointed out, his childish logic cutting straight to the core of the matter. "You didn't even know who I was until I pulled you out."
Jax let out a soft, surprised breath, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "You're sharp, Leo. Too sharp for an eight-year-old. You're right. I didn't know you. But sometimes, fate puts people in the right place at the exact right moment. You saved my life. Now, it's my turn to return the favor."
