Chapter 9: Standing the Ground
Jax stepped down off the porch, placing himself directly between Vance’s motorcycle and the wooden stairs leading to his son. The atmosphere shifted instantly; the casual tension sharpened into something dangerous.
"Vance," Jax said, his voice dropping an octave, dead serious. "Ride on."
Vance looked at Jax’s eyes and saw something he hadn't seen in the years they had ridden together. This wasn't the eye of a man looking for a fight or running from his troubles; it was the eye of a man who had found something worth protecting.
For a long moment, the only sound was the steady patter of rain against the metal roof of the garage.
Vance slowly straightened his bike, kicking up the stand. "You changed, Jax."
"Yeah," Jax said, watching him closely. "I did."
Without another word, Vance signaled to the other two riders. The engines roared to life, kicking up gravel as they turned around and headed back toward the highway, disappearing into the gray mist.
Jax stood in the driveway until the tail lights faded completely. When he turned back, Leo was still standing on the stairs, watching him quietly.
May you like
"Were those your friends?" Leo asked softly.
Jax walked up the steps and guided the boy back inside, shutting the door firmly against the rain. "They were people from my past, Leo. But you're my future."
