The next couple of days passed uneventfully for Alianna. She fell into a routine again except this time, she woke up with a smile on her face because her mornings were now filled with training with Jax. He was a worthy opponent and she taught him a thing or two as did he.

However, after training, she was left to her own devices as Jax shut himself away in his study to handle Boveri business. As much as she appreciated it, she felt slightly hurt at being excluded from everything. But every day, without fail, he would join her for dinner. They no longer ordered room service as Alianna cooked every night, exploring new recipes from the few cookbooks Jax had in his library and the fresh ingredients Naveen got for her every day.

Jax stood at the counter as Alianna washed up the dishes from lunch. Her hair fell from her ponytail as usual, making him smile. He snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Alianna tensed but she felt Jax's chuckle against her back and she relaxed. She continued washing, loving how safe she felt in his embrace.

Jax pressed a kiss to her hair. "What's on the menu for tonight?" he asked.

Alianna turned around in his arms and surprised them both as her hands snaked up to around his neck, "I'm stuck between a chicken tikka masala with lemon rice and stuffed chicken breast with risotto."

"Do you have a hankering for Indian or Italian?" Jax asked swaying her slightly.

"Both," Alianna answered quickly making them both laugh.

"Alright, let's go restaurant hopping tonight," Jax smiled as her eyes lit up, he knew how much she hated being stuck inside. "I know two of the best authentic Indian and Italian cuisine who will reserve a table for us. I'll sort that out now. Your only job is to be ready for six o clock."

Alianna's face fell, "You're going back to work already?"

Jax caressed her cheek. "I have to, things are happening faster than I would like them to. I need to have the upper hand."

"Can I help you?" Alianna looked up at him. Even though she enjoyed her freedom of leisure, there were only so much television and books one could read.

"I'm sorry," Jax said softly, his heart sinking as the happy light in her eyes faded. "Alianna," she looked up at him sadly, making him sigh and pull her closer. "I am just trying to protect you." He heard her sniff, his exclusion had upset her, he could see that now. "From tomorrow you can help me," Alianna physically light up, "but for now; I want you to worry about what you're wearing tonight."

Alianna's eyes opened wide as she realised the task she had. Did she even have anything classy to wear? When she came to her senses, she made a sound of annoyance, Jax had used her momentary fear to escape.

~

Jax fixed the buttons on his sleeves as he stood in the living room. His eyes kept trailing to the closed door of Alianna's room as he put his gun into its holster. It was nearly six o' clock and it was unusual for Alianna to not be ahead of time.

Jax looked up as he heard the soft click of the door. His eyes widen as Alianna stood before him in fitted maroon dress that emphasised her small slim frame, the sleeves stopped at her elbows and her legs were shrouded in black stocking and boots. Her coat was tucked in the crook of her elbow as she twirled her new phone nervously in her hands.

"Is this enough?" she asked shyly under the heat of his gaze.

"More than," Jax smiled as he beckoned her closer. His arm snaked around her waist as she neared. Alianna blushed and her hand instinctively rest on his chest to steady herself.

"Can you hold my phone?" she asked quietly, not knowing why she felt nervous and scared. "I only have the bag I brought to work every day, and I don't think that's appropriate."

Jax took it from her and slipped it into his pocket. He admired her light, natural makeup for a moment, making a mental note to have Genevra fill Alianna's room with every conceivable item a woman will need.

"Let's go," Jax extended his arm to her, making Alianna smile as she looped her hand through. Together, they took the elevator down to the parking garage where Jax's i8 was. Alianna raised an eyebrow as she got in, surprised that Jax opted to drive; not be driven.

"Naveen and Scott are following us in the Lexus," Jax said, noticing Alianna frowning at the side mirror. As much as he wanted to, he could not go guard free so this was his compromise as he missed being with alone with her.

Alianna settled into the warm seat as she listened to the songster's deep baritone voice seep through the speakers. She began singing along softly, unknowingly of course; she was also unware of Jax's adoring gaze as she looked up at the skyscrapers above them. Jax kept the car in automatic as he grasped her hand in his. Alianna kept her eyes on their joined hands as Jax brought hers to his lips to kiss; never taking his eyes off the lights as they waited for them to turn green.

Moments later Jax pulled up to the entrance of the restaurant in one of the more exclusive parts of the city. Alianna watched as he walked in front of the car, admiring his confident stride as he opened her door. She smiled sweetly taking his proffered hand to help her out. Jax tossed the key to the valet as his hand drifted to the small of Alianna's back as the doorman opened the door for them.

Alianna's eyes drunk in every minimalistic yet polished detail of the restaurant. From the white marble floors to the sophisticated chandeliers and table placements, she could tell that Jax was giving her the first-class treatment. No names were needed as the host recognised Jax immediately and he led the couple to their reserved section of the private dining room.

Alianna smiled as Jax pulled out her chair. They were at a table nestled into a nook and the air was perfumed with the smell of wine and wood of the shelves surrounding them. The small candle illuminated the table solely, as if they were in their own bubble.

"Do you like it?" Jax asked softly as Alianna looked at her menu.

"I do," she replied smiling, "and I can see why you like it too."

Jax raised an eyebrow but waited until their server poured their wine before speaking. "Care to enlighten me?"

Alianna sipped her white wine, she was no wine connoisseur but she could tell it was of the finest quality. "It fits your style," she replied.

Jax tilted his head and stirred the wine gently in his glass, "And what is my style?"

Alianna watched his thumb trace the rim of his glass before he drank. "Modern and elegant but welcoming. Especially your personal space like the library, there's something about there that just makes me feel safe."

Jax fought a smirk, Alianna knew him much better than he thought but before he could reply, their server came for their order. Jax looked over at Alianna, "Is there anything in particular that you would to try?"

Alianna shook her head, she understood Italian but still was daunted by the selection. Jax smiled and ordered for the pair, he enjoyed everything on the menu and chose meals Alianna would enjoy too. Once their food order was underway, they began talking, mainly discussing the documentaries Alianna had been watching recently. Jax noticed how her eyes lit up as she spoke about what she learned and how she absorbed any information he added.

"Alianna," Jax looked at her as they munched on their antipasto, "I haven't seen you in the library lately." Every room in the penthouse, save the bedrooms and bathrooms, had cameras which he could access remotely from anywhere using his phone. Jax often checked in during the day, just to see her face when he could spare a moment, "Can you tell me why?"

Alianna thought about her words, "I don't know, when I'm in there alone while everyone is busy it doesn't feel right. I like the noise from the television."

Jax studied the woman sitting across him carefully before leaning forward. "You mentioned earlier, that the library felt safe but since I haven't been at home it doesn't anymore," he murmured. He looked up at Alianna with the same piercing look that broke her walls over a year ago, "Maybe it's not the library than makes you feel safe...what if it's me?"

Alianna's eyes widen as the blood rushed to her cheeks. She felt safe with Jax, especially when she was close to him, she knew that for sure. But his words explained everything she'd been trying to figure out over the past couple of days, she needed Jax near so she could feel totally safe and that type of dependency scared her.

Thankfully she was saved from replying as Jax's eyes snapped up as Naveen appeared beside them with Alianna's coat, his face grim. "Boss," he said, hating himself for being the bearer of bad news, "we've got a problem."

Those five words doused any flame of romance between the pair. Both Alianna and Jax slipped into their mafia mentalities. "What?" Jax said calmly.

"Another attack," Naveen said and Alianna stiffened. "No one's dead but we've got injuries."

Jax stood up and nodded to Alianna to do the same. "You and Scott lead the way," Jax said, loading his gun.

"Boss, what about.." Naveen's eyes darted to Alianna who was loading her gun as well.

"She's coming," Jax muttered. There wasn't time nor manpower to take Alianna back to the penthouse. Naveen inhaled but nodded as he waited for Scott's signal.

Jax turned to Alianna and helped her put on her coat. "Gun?" Alianna held up her .40 pistol. "Knife?" She hiked her dress up to show the tip of her trusty knife. "Heels?" Ah, so he had remembered that she could kill with anything, Alianna grinned as she showed off her 3 inch heels. Jax helped Alianna put on her coat before following Naveen out of the restaurant through the kitchen. Alianna held back a sniff at the sight of all the food she would not get to eat.

Wordlessly they got into their cars and Jax drove behind the Lexus. The air in the car was strained as nerves washed over her. More members of the family were hurt because of her. If Jax noticed her worry, he made no move to comfort her.

Jax stormed into the club making Evan and Rex look up. Neither men hid their shock when they saw Alianna hot on Jax's heels. Alianna surveyed the damage, the entire place was a mess, totally L'iiblis' style. While she hated his guts, she admired how meticulous Marino was when it came to his work. L'iiblis preferred raw and ruthless methods.

Jax motioned for Alianna to stay close. "How many?" he asked.

"Twenty," Evan replied, "two critical but are being treated as we speak."

"Is it the same at last time?" Evan nodded while Rex shook his head. Jax narrowed his eyes, "What did they do?"

This was one of the times Evan wanted to throttle Rex; for someone who didn't talk much, Rex could really piss him off. "They got into the VIP room."

"And?" Jax said testily, he hated when Evan could not get to a point. "What did they do?" he asked slowly.

Evan hesitated, "Boss," Alianna's eyes widened at hearing Evan called Jax by his title, "I think it's best we talk about this first."

"Show me!" Jax snapped angrily, his hand tightening on his gun. Alianna grabbed Jax's hand to prevent him from shooting his best friend.

Evan sighed and glared at Rex before turning around. Jax squeezed Alianna's hand gently, reassuring her that he was fine and telling her to stay with him as Evan led them through a hole in the wall where they ripped off the concealed panel door.

Alianna turned her eyes away from the blood that spattered the walls. If it belonged to an unknown person, she would be fine but it belonged to one of Jax's men, it was personal. She bumped into Jax as he came to an abrupt halt at the entrance to the office door. Despite her heels, she had to tiptoe slightly to see why they stopped.

We're coming...

Those words were sprawled across the wall in what Alianna hoped was spray paint. She swallowed drily as she huddled closer to Jax, suddenly feeling claustrophobic.

Evan turned to face a stony faced Jax. "Are you sure you want to see this?" Evan's eyes darted to Alianna briefly.

"Open the door," came the low reply. One more wrong move was going to land Evan in trouble. Evan sighed and opened the door. Jax glared at him before he stepped inside.

His breath caught in his chest and his entire body went numb as he looked at the wall

A picture of Alianna that was taken a long time ago, probably in her teenaged years. Her face was unreadable and her stare was blank. It was a chilling picture; except for the red X marked straight across the picture.

But that wasn't what made him go cold.

Written in blood above the picture was the end of the sentence.

...for you.