If she had to look at one more map, Alianna was going to kill Jax.

For hours, the couple, along with Evan and Rex had been organising their next moves. Alianna was surprised at how willing Jax's men were to move around at such immediate notice. Their plan was systematic and so far seamless, moving their forces around bringing them together, hoping to lure L'iiblis and his men to a central point where the real showdown will begin.

Alianna kept her true thoughts to herself during their planning. She knew L'iiblis would not fall for their trap, he had been waiting for them the other night meaning he had not changed from her childhood; the Hound knew all. She and Jax had their suspicions on who their rat might be but they decided to keep it to themselves as inner unrest was the last thing they needed.

"Alianna?" Jax's question stirred her out of her thoughts. He smiled gently as he noted her boredom. "Anything you would like to add?"

Alianna looked at all the changes they had made while she had spaced out. "What about home?" her nail tapped the embossed B on the map. "We need more men here."

"Well the plan is to draw them away from the house," Evan mused.

"That won't work," she murmured. "You need to beef up security as much as possible here."

"L'iiblis is going to break us down, he's going to attack us where it's going to hurt us the most. And here," she gestured to the room, "is first on the list. I am not going to lose my home."

"Neither am I," Jax murmured lowly, "not again."

Alianna raised an eyebrow as Evan and Rex fidgeted nervously in their seats, avoid looking in Jax's direction. She looked him, not surprised to find the cold, soulless glare in his eyes, the look he got when he became Jax Boveri; not her Jax. The longer she looked she could see him soften his gaze as he cursed himself inwardly, he could never unleash the true beast inside around her, even though he knew she can more than handle him.

"I've ordered an electric fence to be installed around the perimeter," he said, "and I've moved half of the Keepers here."

"Jax," Evan looked at him in shock, Rex's eyebrows disappeared into his blonde fringe.

"Keepers?" Alianna questioned. Jax bit the inside of his cheek as his announcement that scared his men; excited her.

"They are my family's personal army in Italy," he informed her. "I talked to my father last night and they are on their way here as we speak. They are fully trained for a war as they protect my father when he does business. I think you might like them."

Alianna looked at Jax out of the corner of her eye. "I have a feeling I will," she replied coolly. As the discussion turned to strategy again, she slipped out of the room and returned to her retreat that was their bedroom. The cool sea breeze helped soothe the burning thoughts in her mind.

She understood why Jax held off on bringing his men to America, an army, that was what he had called them, an army that she would have to lead. Right now, his mind was no different from Marino when it came his plans for her and he was cautious about how she would feel about it.

"I am sorry," Alianna relaxed into Jax's embrace, welcoming his warmth. She had been standing outside lost in her thoughts for longer than she had originally estimated. "I'm sorry that I have put you in this position."

"It's fine," she replied as she turned around to look at Jax. She smiled as he leaned his face into her hand, caressing his stubbled cheek. Jax knew she could see his inner turmoil, the lengths he was going to protect her and his family.

"Just promise me this," Jax looked at Alianna, more than ready to give her anything she wanted in return. "Once this is over, no more. I'm not doing this anymore...unless absolutely necessary."

Jax turned his head and pressed a kiss to her palm, "Promise."

Alianna smiled before tiptoeing to kiss him softly. His arms tightened around her waist as hers coiled his neck, revelling in their rare intimate moments as of late. As much as time they spent together, it was occupied with strategies and business as opposed to their romantic relationship

Alianna did not disguise her annoyance as Jax's phone rang. With a brief glance at the screen as Jax fished it out of his pocket, her emotions increased at the name on the screen.

"Yes Joel?" Jax mumbled against her forehead, keeping her skin beneath his lips, not wanting the moment to end just yet.

"We were just attacked." Alianna's eyes flitted to Jax's. Jax remained unreadable as he listened to the man on the other end, his thumb tracing contemplative circles on her back as she listened to his steady heartbeat.

"We'll be there in twenty." Alianna raised an eyebrow at the man in her arms. "Suit up," Jax near chuckled as Alianna all but skipped happily to their room. He had purchased new gear for her since their time in New York with the intention of presenting to her as an indication that he knew of her true identity. Jax chuckled as he picked his weapons for tonight.

"I'm ready."

Jax looked up and grit his teeth at the sigh before him. Alianna's suit fit her like a glove, the bulletproof material would protect her curves and resist any blade. Her knives hugged her thighs while guns emphasized her small waist. Alianna smirked slightly as she walked to Jax, who did not disguise his wandering gaze. She smiled and tapped the bulletproof vest concealed under his shirt before looking up at him. Jax smiled and kissed her softly.

"Let's get this plan started."

~

"No men harmed," Joel stated, "some of our merchandise is missing but we're fine."

Alianna looked around the room as Joel gave them the tour. Glass crunched beneath her boots as they walked. Everyone assumed it was L'iiblis and his men but Alianna knew better, this was the power of one man. She could see his fit of rage as she scanned the room, something she had been privy to witness on multiple occasions when she was a child. Jax gripped Alianna's shoulders, looking down at her as she jumped. He rubbed circles against her skin as they surveyed the men cleaning up and salvaging what they could.

"Do you think he figured out we fed him false information?" Jax murmured.

"Definitely but this is not is not the result of that," Alianna answered. "He's angry with himself, for wasting time and effort in chasing what he knew was a dead end."

"Good, our plan is working then," Jax sighed. He could feel Alianna's doubt through her skin. "You think differently?"

"Jax," Alianna turned around. "I know L'iiblis, he is going to figure out our plan if he hasn't already."

He did not respond immediately as he pondered their next move. "We're sticking with our plan but what is his next move?"

Alianna looked around, "Another encounter. A second chance to save ourselves. He'll leave behind a message." They looked over as the men called their names. Jax rolled his eyes as they walked over, seeing the name of a street carved into the wooden floor, surrounded in blood.

Alianna traced her fingertips making Jax grasp her hand tighter. He shook his head as he fell into the same routine they did whenever they encounter L'iiblis. He and Alianna fell into their comfortable silence, each of them lost in their thoughts. Alianna's mind quieted down enough for her to sleep but Jax's thoughts tore through his mind like a tornado. Anger gripped his body and if it weren't for the woman in his arms, he would've crushed her.

He sighed as he unwound his arms from Alianna, thankful that she did not wake as she usual did when he rose before her. As quietly as he could, he pulled on his clothes, his fingers ghosting over his gun before deciding against it. He looked at the woman in his bed, the way the moonlight shone against her skin and hair and the peace on her face made him second guess his decision for a moment. He inhaled deeply before placing the faintest of kisses on her lips before heading to the door, hesitating just as he was about to open it. He spared one last look at her, carefully contemplating his choice.

And with that, he left.