His twisted sneer doesn’t change as he turns his bruised eye to me. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
“Don’t speak to him,” Jax says sharply. “You’re the one who came in here and made a huge fucking scene. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
“Seriously?” Flynn says, staggering to his feet. “You think I’m gonna let you?—”
“What?” Jax's voice is dangerously quiet now. “Let mewhat? Are you in control of me? Do you tell me what I can and can’t do? No. You’re my big brother, and I love you. I know you want to protect me. But this isn’t any of your business, Fly.”
“Why are you doing this anyway?” Flynn says, and finally, some of Jax’s bravado fades. “Scott’s acting like I’ve electrocuted him every time I walk into a room lately, and you’re working two jobs. Andthisis what you choose to do? I mean, the money must be fucking fantastic. What the fuck do you need this much money for, Jax? If you need help, you askme.”
Flynn’s voice breaks on the final word, and Jax’s shoulders lower as she steps forward, her hands reaching out almost imploringly.
Then, her gaze flickers to me. It’s a second, no more, but I see it. The fear. Whatever she’s involved with, her oldest brother doesn’t know about it. A cold chill runs up my spine as I try to keep my face blank.
“Flynn, I know you’re trying to help me. I know that. But this isn’t about you, or the club. This is my thing. It’s just something I have to do right now.”
“Withhim?” Flynn says, gesturing at me like I’m an insect he’d like to crush under his shoe. “Can’t you find other women to fuck? Women you don’t have to pay?” he says, twisting around to face me.
“Flynn!” Jax barks out. “Enough. You owe Gray an apology. If you keep this up, I will never forgive you for it. You do not have authority here.”
I can’t stop staring at them as Flynn composes himself. They’re so alike, every expression reminding me of the other. Flynn glances at his sister one final time before he tugs at his clothes self-consciously.
He clears his throat and flexes his shoulders.
“I’m sorry about what I said,” he mutters, his gaze moving over me almost appraisingly. “I guess…” he glances at Jax, grimacing. “I guess everyone’s entitled to do what they want.”
Jax exhales slowly at those words, and Flynn runs a hand through his hair, wincing as the bottom of his palm brushes against the eye I just punched.
“I didn’t expect to ever meet you at all, let alone under these circumstances,” he says ruefully, as Jax blinks at him in bewilderment.
Like a switch being flipped, Flynn straightens his clothes again and holds out a hand to me.
“I’ve actually always wanted to meet you. I’ve admired you for a long time.”
Jax rolls her eyes, rubbing a hand over her forehead in despair, and I can barely hold back a laugh. This guy just tried to knock me out, I punched him in the face, and now he’s talking to me like we’re business acquaintances.
“Flynn Jenson,” her brother says finally.
I stand up, and he flinches as if I might be about to hit him again. I think I would be well within my rights to have him kicked out on the street. Jax too. I should call Sterling House and tell them her contract is terminated—just as I should have done weeks ago.
I extend a hand. “Gray Jones,” I say, shaking it as Flynn glances at Jax.
“You’re seriously with this guy?” he says, and Jax sighs loudly.
“In a manner of speaking. Sure. He's nice, Flynn. If you hadn’t gone feral the second you walked in here, I would have explained that to you.”
“So this Sterling House company placed you here with him?”
“It’s none of your business,” Jax insists. “Now would you please leave?”
“Wait a minute,” I say, holding up a hand as I look at Flynn. “You just walked in and tried to attack me. People will want to know what’s going on. You can’t just leave without giving my employees an explanation. We need to smooth things over, or my reputation will be shot to shit. I can’t have people thinking I’m fighting with other club owners.”
Flynn snorts. “Yeah, I’ll bet they all recognized me, I’mrealfamous.”
“They’re going to know who you are by the end of the day. I need you to do this.”
Flynn blinks at me, his eyebrows rising to his hairline. “Oh. Well, whatever you want, I guess. I kind of made a mess of things here.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Jax mutters.
