“Alright. So how much?” I ask.
Monroe glances at the black duffel bag Flynn holds in his right hand.
“How much is in there?” Nick asks.
“Three hundred grand,” I say, as Flynn fidgets.
“Hm,” Nick replies, running his teeth over his lower lip and grinning at me like an idiot. Jax’s eyes are on me now. I can feel them burning against my skin.
“You take the money, release his brothers, and leave the Jenson’s alone from now on,” I say.
“Of course,” Nick replies smoothly. I have no reason to believe he’ll stand by his word, but right now the most important thing is I get Jax out of here.
I gesture at Flynn, who throws the bag at Nick’s feet.
One of Nick’s minions comes forward and unzips it, revealing the stacks of 100-dollar bills inside. I knew he would never go for less than a nice round number, and it isn’t over yet.
“Excellent,” Monroe croons. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you again.”
My gaze falls on Jax, her sharp hazel eyes as cold as ice, as I feel my throat tighten.
“And the girl?” I ask, trying desperately to keep my voice neutral.
Nick twists around, raising his eyebrows at her as he chuckles.
“I think I’ll hold on to her for a bit. I'm not done with her. You’re welcome to stay and take a turn on her if you like. I know how you love a redhead.”
Flynn takes a menacing step forward.
“Let my sister go,” he bites out.
“No one asked for your opinion,” Nick says as two of the guards pull out their guns, piercing gazes moving to Flynn.
Shit.
“Keep the girl,” I say quickly, deliberately raising my voice so Jax can hear me. “She’s not important.”
“You fucker!” Flynn screams, leaping at me as two of Nick’s goons grab him and shove him to the floor with a painful cracking sound. His arms are pinned behind his back, but I can hear him breathing hard as I glance at Nick.
Jax doesn’t move, her expression impossible to read as her eyes meet mine.
“I wish you all the best then,” I say.
“You asshole! You fucking let Jax go!” Flynn hollers, straining against the guards who both laugh at him.
I turn on my heel, walking toward the door. “Flynn, would you cut that out?” I say casually. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“You get nothing unless she’s freed too,” Flynn spits out at me, face beet red. “I’ll torch both clubs if I have to,andthis place.”
I turn to him, contemplating him as though I’ve never seen him before, counting slowly to ten, making sure I keep my expression devoid of emotion.
I sigh, glancing at Monroe, who is looking down at him with a wide grin on his face.
“It seems we’re at an impasse,” I turn back, blood thrumming, head pounding. “It appears I need the girl as well.”
That’s the only time I hear a sound from Jax as my insides shrivel to nothing. Her mouth parts, a hiss slipping through her teeth as she strains at her bonds, ready to kill me.
“You sure?” Nick asks me. “She’s kind of a handful.”
