Jace: Lexi, where did you go?

11:30 pm

Jace: Come back to the warehouse. We need to talk.

11:45pm

Jace: At least let me know you're safe!

12:17 am

Alexis: Safe at Jo's.

12:18 am

Jace: Baby, I can't sleep. I need to know what's going through your head.

1:09 am

Jace: You weren't supposed to see that.

1:16 am

Jace: Please, just fucking talk to me. I'm not pissed. I just need to hear your voice.

1:35 am

Jace: Please, baby.

1:50 am

I give up and go to sleep, the exhaustion from the fight finally taking over while my mind spins out of control.

But even in my sleep, I can't escape my scared fucking thoughts. Nightmares attack me with multiple scenarios of Alexis turning her back on me and walking away, for good.

My annoying phone goes off on my nightstand. The song "Into The Dark" by Point North penetrates my restless sleep. Groaning, I roll over to look at my clock, 4:10 am blares back at me in red.

It's too fucking early for this shit.

My phone stops ringing only to start up again a second later when a thought breaks through my exhausted mind.

What if it's Lexi?

I move so fast I nearly fall out of bed as I bring the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

"Jace!" Sophie's voice whisper yells from the other end.

With a huff, I fall back on my bed. "Soph, I already told you to stop fucking calling m..."

"Just shut up and listen," she pants heavily. "You need to get everyone you can and come to the barn, now!"

"Are you running?" I ask incredulously, already getting out of bed.

She doesn't answer as something snaps in the background followed by a clatter and her cursing.

Yup, she's running.

A couple seconds later her pained breathing fills my ears. "Yes! Now do it! Vipers are here!"

Something clicks in my head and I hang up without another word.

I take off running through the apartment in just a pair of sweatpants, ignoring the need for clothes or even shoes as I rush out the door. The world around me blurs as I call everyone I can.

No one picks up.

I leave voicemails as I sprint from the building and hop on my bike. With my heart pounding like a drum in my chest, I speed off sans helmet and drive towards the barn.

The normally short ride is cut in half as I pull over on the side of the dirt road and cut the engine. I carefully walk my bike behind a couple of trees before sneaking through the woods to get a better view. Each step I take is precise so I don't make a sound as I mentally remind myself to thank Uncle Rob for the crazy training he's put us through in the past.

The normal lighting from the barn should be visible from this distance, but the entire area is pitch black. All I can hear are bugs chirping as I push through until minutes later when a stick snaps behind me. I spin around, keeping my back against a tree, and crouch down. Squinting, I search the dark for any sign of life.

"Jace?" Kade's voice calls from the shadows.

I breathe a sigh of relief and stand back up as he appears from behind a tree with Travis at his side.

"That was fucking fast, I just called you guys a few minutes ago," I comment as they make their way towards me.

Even in the dark, I can see Travis roll his eyes. "You think you're the only one Sophie called?"

I shrug. "Whatever. I'm just happy you guys are here."

"Yeah." Kade nods. "Let's just hope we're not the only ones."

The three of us start making our way towards the barn, with Kade and I taking the lead.

"Wild should be here," Travis whispers behind us. "He came back after the fight. Said he was gonna grab a bed in the bunk room or one of the trailers if he could find an empty one."

Other than the balcony, the second floor of the barn is made up of Uncle Rob's office and the small bunk room. A few years ago they added some small trailers in the back for extra space and anytime someone crashes for the night, they race to snatch one up to avoid the lack of privacy provided from a bunk.

"If Wilder's here, he would've gone for a trailer first," I think out loud just as a noise breaks through the otherwise peaceful night.

It's a sound we all know well, flesh meeting flesh followed by curses and pained grunts. The melody of a fight.

Neither of us wastes time. We sprint the rest of the way, breaking through the edge of the woods and spilling out in front of the barn. The entire scene is bathed ominously in darkness as several Vipers go toe to toe with Uncle Rob, Colt, and Omar. They're outnumbered, but their opponents don't notice our arrival.

Kade jets over to help his father with the four thugs he's facing while Travis and I run to give Omar and Colt a hand. A couple of the Vipers wield knives but most of them are empty-handed. Using the element of surprise, I sneak up behind one of the three facing off with Colt and wrap my arms around his neck. He struggles to pry himself free but it's no use, eventually, his body goes limp and I drop him to the ground as Colt grabs another and smashes his skull against the side of the building.

Two down.

The third stands between us with his weapon, looking back and forth, trying to decipher the greatest threat. His worried black eyes dart to Colt before he jumps out to slash at him. Colt dodges the blade but another goon appears from the shed next to the barn and grabs him. They stumble back, falling through the shed door and out of sight.

"Guess it's you and me," the snake sneers at me, flipping the knife in his hand.

We round each other, waiting for the other to make a move. But he loses his patience quickly. The Viper strikes out and I jump back, the tip of the knife just barely cutting me across the left side of my stomach. I don't have time to inspect the wound or even feel the sting before he jumps again. This time though, I'm ready. When he tries to slash at me I lean back just enough to lock my balance and kick the blade from his hands.

Mouth open, he watches his weapon fly away and I take my shot, spinning a kick at his head. His eyes roll back as he folds in on himself and lands in the dirt. Lights out.

Noticing the lack of noise, I look around to see the rest of the snakes are on the ground, either knocked out or too wounded to stand. Even Colt comes walking out of the shed with no more than a few bloody knuckles.

"Is that all of them?" Travis asks, looking at Uncle Rob.

Rob shakes his head. "No, there's more inside. Maybe even around back. Travis and Jace, haul these assholes into the shed and lock it up. Kade and Omar, check the trailers. Colt and I will head back in. Backup should be here soon."

Everyone nods but me.

"Where's Wilder?" I ask, stopping my Uncle in his tracks.

He nods to the back. "Last I saw, he and a few girls were grabbing a trailer for the night."

"Then that's where I'm going. You need more guys inside anyway and Travis can handle these idiots." My voice is steady even as the rest of my body shakes.

I'm speaking out of turn and I know it. Uncle Rob's the boss. What he says goes. But Wild's my brother and I'll be damned if I'm not gonna go looking for him.

"Jace," Uncle Rob growls. "I don't have time to argue with you."

"Then don't." I shake my head.

He levels me with a steel look in his eyes. I hold his glare, determined to show him how important this is to me. After a second, it must work.

He looks away and sighs. "Omar, follow Colt and I. Kade and Jace go to the trailers while Travis loads up the dead weight." He tosses Travis and Kade each a walky-talky. "Let us know if something happens or if backup arrives."

Everyone nods before Uncle Rob pulls his pistol from the holster on his hip and leads Colt and Omar inside the bar. Travis gets to work on pulling the fallen Vipers into the shed as Kade and I disappear into the shadows around the side of the building.

The job to the trailers is short, filled with the sounds of our calm breaths and the occasional thump and thud from the barn. Uncle Rob and the guys must be getting down to business, which means there won't be much left for the cavalry to handle once they get here.

When we reach the corner of the barn, we both peak around. Eight trailers of various models and sizes sit in a row. Just like the rest of the place, there's not a single shred of light. The Vipers must've cut the power. Stupid move on their part. We know this place like the backs of our hands, even in the dark.

"We should split up." Kade nods to the far end. "I'll start down there and you start here. Check each one until we meet in the middle."

"Got it." I nod and we head in opposite directions.

The first trailer is unlocked and empty. The bed is still made and everything in its place, which isn't fucking much honestly. Most of the trailers don't have more than a bed, a mini-fridge, and a couple tables and chairs. People looking to hookup or sleep don't need a lot.

The second trailer is a different story. The damn door doesn't budge, locked from the inside. Knocking isn't an option, not if there's a Viper inside. So, I go with plan B and step back before kicking next to the knob with everything I have. The thin door gives way on the first try and several screams ring through the air.

"What the fuck?" I step inside and find two familiar girls huddled in the corner of the one-room trailer.

"Oh my God, it's just you!" The one with pink hair, Candy, exclaims as she breathes a sigh of relief.

A blonde named Star falls back against the wall. "We thought you were a Viper!"

"Sorry to disappoint, ladies." I shrug. "Have you seen Wild?"

Candy blushes. "Yeah. He was here until he heard a scuffle next door. Told us to stay put and lock the door."

"Can't do that now since it's broken." Star laughs nervously.

She's got a point. It's still not safe enough for them to take off the way Sophie did.

"Alright, go next door to the trailer at the end. It's unlocked and no one's there. Shut yourselves in and lock the fucking door. I'll come back to get you girls when it's clear to come out," I instruct them quickly, ready to move on to the next building.

They both get up and scurry past, cutting me appreciative looks in the process.

"Thank you, Jace," Candy sing-songs before they run to the previous trailer.

Shaking my head at the two of them, I head to the next trailer and the biggest one on the lot. While most of the buildings are single rooms, this one is big enough to house a whole family with a full three-bedroom layout.

Like the first trailer, this one's unlocked but I get a bad fucking feeling in the pit of my stomach the second I walk in. The sparse furniture is overturned and broken. Shattered glass decorates the linoleum floor and the few pictures that were on the walls are face down on the ground.

Candy and Star said Wilder heard fighting over here but did this happen before or after he came to check on things?

"Wild?" I call, knowing damn well it's a bad idea to give myself away if someone's still hanging around. But at this point, I'll take on whoever I have too, I just need to know my brother is okay. "Wilder?"

Silence is all that answers me as I carefully creep through the trailer. With my back to the wall, I check each door, each room, for any sign of life. The further I get, the more my pulse pounds in my ears, like I'm about to turn the corner to find a horror show at any fucking second. Reaching the final room, my heartbeat peaks at an inhuman speed.

I push the door open and freeze at the sight of blood smearing the wall.

Without a second thought, I rush to the side of the upturned bed. Bloody sheets and blankets lay on the ground, tangled with something...or someone.

"Wild!" I painfully shout and drop to the ground.

I yank at the stained material until a face appears in the carnage. My heart stops for a minute as I look down at the dead eyes staring at the ceiling. Wide, lifeless brown eyes that are forever frozen in shock.

It's not Wilder.

I allow myself a brief, selfish moment of relief before I allow the pain and anger to twist inside my chest. It's not my best friend, but he was still a brother.

Motto.

Motto's been a Guardian since before I was even fucking born. He was tough, hard as nails, and supported each and every one of us. He was one of the few that called bullshit when Victor was released, there when we confronted the Vipers trying to breach our borders and helped train me, Wild, Kade, and Travis when we first joined up, before we even had bikes. Motto was a Guardian through and through. He bled Guardian blood, and he died with that blood covering these walls.

Motto deserved better than this.

I grit my teeth, my body shaking with the need to destroy something. But now's not the time, not when there could still be Vipers on the loose. And if anyone deserves to get destroyed, it's one of those fuckers.

Getting to my feet, I try to reign in my temper when I hear someone chuckle behind me.

"Poor bastard. He really shouldn't have tried to fight me," a familiar condescending voice states before laughing again.

A chilled calm washes over me as I turn around. Even in the dark, I can still make out the angular features, and windswept hair that I know is just a few shades lighter than mine. A pompous smirk pulls at his face, showing a row of perfectly white teeth as he raises his scarred eyebrow.

"Paxton," I snarl, balling my fists at my side.

His grin grows wider. "Hey, Jace." His dark eyes dart to the ground behind me. "Sorry you missed your buddy. I guess he couldn't hang. Probably not a good idea to leave old guys like him alone. At that age, they just can't keep up."

"You did this." It's not a question. The way he gazes at Motto's lifeless body with uncontrolled glee makes it clear.

Paxton's always been dangerous. He's nearly killed a few guys while fighting in Monte's cages, but he's always been kept on a tight leash by Victor. If he's going to take a life, it'll be because Victor wants him too, and not a second sooner.

"Where's your boss?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Vic?" Pax shrugs. "You know him. He's more of a talker than a fighter. That's why he had me and Vince lead some of the guys over for a little fun. He wasn't thrilled that your Uncle turned down his offer. I mean, shit, he was being generous. You guys should've signed on when you could."

That's it.

Unable to listen to another word, I pin him with a glare. "You know the rules, Pax. An eye for a fucking eye."

His smile twists with excitement as I approach. In the blink of an eye, it's like we're in the cage. I throw blow after blow, but Paxton isn't a rookie when it comes to fighting. He dodges half the punches I throw as he lands a few of his own.

Losing my control, I charge and slam him into a table, knocking over the last lamp still standing. It shatters into a million pieces on the ground, the sound echoing through the trailer.

Paxton breaks my hold and lands a solid hit to my head. My vision blurs for a second and I stumble before I'm hit with another to the ribs. With labored breathing, I grip onto the dresser to balance myself and keep the room from spinning.

"You Guardians are all the same," Paxton taunts. "You think you're fucking untouchable. Like your friend. He thought he could take me on, keep me from getting to anyone else."

The image of Pax walking towards me starts to come into focus.

"He was wrong...dead wrong." He chuckles. "That girl he was with would've been next if it weren't for that blonde dumbass crashing in here."

Wilder.

"What'd you do to Wild?" I crack.

Pax scoffs as my senses finally feel balanced. "I took off out the window and led him on a wild chase through the woods. I'm not stupid, I know going hand to hand with him would be a bad idea. Took me a little while to lose him, but I managed. Now you and I get to have some fun."

He squares his shoulders, preparing to make another move. I wait for it, and just as he pulls back, I plant a kick to his chest and send him across the room. He lands on the shattered lamp with a thud and I run at him.

Grabbing the back of his shirt, I'm prepared to pull him up and lay into him again with a fury of punches. But the prick spins around on me fast as lightning and slashes at my face. Searing pain spreads across my cheek along with the feeling of flowing liquid. I stumble back, touching the painful spot on my cheekbone and pulling my hand away to find my fingers coated with blood.

Paxton gets to his feet, a piece of broken glass in his hand. His grip tightens on the shard, digging it into his flesh and making blood trickle to the floor.

"That was a dumb move, Jace," he hisses before racing towards me, his smug face contorted with madness.

Pax slashes again and again, his wild swings missing a few times. But the ones he land tear at my arms, opening new wounds and spilling more blood. I have to go on the offense. Strictly defending myself isn't working. All it's gonna take is one wrong cut and I'm done for.

Dropping my arms, I throw a punch and hit him in the gut while he tries to slit my face. The punch throws off his aim making the shard just barely miss me, the sound of it whooshing past my ear. It's the best chance I have. I grab his arm and bend it back. Pax crumbles in my grip, crying out as the sound of cracking bone hangs in the air. He loses his grip on the shard and it clatters to the floor.

I let go of his arm and kick him to the ground before snatching up the fallen makeshift knife. Pax gets to his feet, shaking and unstable. Gripping the glass in one hand, I grab him with the other and shove him against the wall. Without thinking I hold the shard to his throat, my pulse pounding in my ears.

"Do it!" Pax dares. "Go ahead. An eye for a fucking eye, right Jacey boy. A life for a life."

My hand shakes as I lightly press the sharp edge to his skin. The smallest amount of blood blooms beneath the tip.

I can't. I'm not a killer. I'm not like him.

Paxton can see it too, his eyes searching mine for that last shred of humanity. The thing he lost a long time ago.

When I release the pressure of the glass to his throat, a crazed smile fills his face. "Yeah, you don't have it in you. Such a shame too. I'd love to see one of you Guardians finally embrace your demons."

I drop the broken piece and kick it away. I might not be a killer but I'll be damned if I'm gonna let him go free. Cocking my fist back, I prepare to knock this fucker out.

"Oh, and Jace."

I pause.

Paxton's eyes light up with an unknown enthusiasm. "Tell your cousin I said hi."

My brows pull together before I unleash and punch him with enough strength to make his whole body fall to the ground like dead weight.

A numb feeling fills me from head to toe. I walk back and sit on the edge of the dresser, trying to process everything. It feels like hours fly by before I hear voices calling out to me. Moving without thinking, I walk through the trailer and out the front door.

Kade, Travis, and Wilder stand a yard away, peering into the window of the next trailer.

"Over here," I call back.

The three of them turn and spot me standing on the trailer steps. I don't know what it is that freaks them out, but their eyes shoot open wide as they rush over.

"What happened?" Kade asks, staring worriedly at my face before his gaze travels to my arms.

I tip my head towards the door. "Motto...he's dead."

Travis doesn't wait for another word. He breezes past me, his heavy footfalls traveling through the trailer.

"Paxton," Wild growls. His body stiffens before he turns to punch the side of the trailer. "I was too busy chasing that motherfucker, I didn't stop to see if anyone was inside!" He runs his shaking hands over his face. "I...I should've checked."

Kade shakes his head. "This isn't on you, man. Don't do that!"

Footsteps sound from behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Travis appear through the door, all the color drained from his face. He walks out and sits on the steps. "Who did it? Who killed Motto?"

"Paxton. He's still in there. I knocked him out so he could be thrown in with the others," I explain coldly.

Travis jerks back, his face tilting up to me. "Paxton isn't in there."

The four of us look at each other before darting inside. We storm into the back bedroom and sure enough, the only body on the floor is Motto's.

"Son of a bitch!" I shout and slam my fist into the wall, creating a hole next to one of the many bloodstains.

"Did he say anything?" Kade asks with an unusual calmness.

"Yeah." I nod and yank my bloodied hands through my hair. "Said Victor sent them since we turned down his offer... and something about telling you hi."

Kade's face bunches up with confusion. "Why the fuck would he want to say hi to me?"

"Fuck if I know." I shrug.

"We need to talk to the old man." Kade nods and walks away.

Wilder sits on the side of the bed. "I'm gonna stay here with Motto until someone comes to get him...he doesn't deserve to be alone."

"I'll hang back too." I walk over to him.

Wild shakes his head. "No, you're fucked up. Go and get someone to look at those cuts first. Then bring someone back here for us."

I hate leaving him here alone in his misery but at the mention of my wounds, the pain finally starts to hit me. Still, I hesitate.

"Don't worry." Travis pats me on the back. "He'll be fine. The rest of the snakes have already been cleared out. The ones we couldn't get took off and Rob's got some guys handling the assholes in the shed."

I nod and shoot Wild a reassuring look. "Alright, brother. I'll be right back."

Josie's phone ringing woke us up just as the sun was rising. She took the call in the other room, her panic riddled voice shouting at the person on the other end before she quieted down and spoke to them in hushed tones. After that, she paced back and forth, clutching her phone like her life depended on it.

I didn't know what to do, lost with the want to help but unable to do so. Jo just kept thanking me for being there for her but insisted she didn't want to talk about it. Just my presence was enough according to her.

When her phone rang again, she answered right away and breathed a sigh of relief. But the relief was short-lived as her tear-filled eyes fell on me.

"Okay, we'll be right there." She nodded before hanging up.

That was maybe fifteen minutes ago.

Now we're driving back to Jace's apartment, 'borrowing' Jo's sister's car while she sleeps. Josie's hands shake the whole way there. Her nervous energy passes to me until we pull up in the parking lot. Following her quick strides, we rush into the apartment building and walk into Jace's place without even knocking.

Travis, Wilder, and Kade sit in various places through the living room, each one with a sorrowful look on their faces. But it's the bandaged guy on the couch that catches my full attention.

"Jace!" My voice cracks as I run to his side.

His arms are wrapped up, another square bandage is stuck to the left side of his ribs, and a small strip of gauze lays across his cheek. On top of all the dressings are several smaller cuts and bruises, ones I know he didn't get from the fight last night.

My stomach flips while my eyes bounce to each wound. When they land on his face, my lip quivers and tears swell in my eyes.

"Oh my God," I whisper, reaching out to caress the side of his beaten face.

Jace leans into my trembling touch, the look in his deep blue eyes softening. "Hey, baby."

"Alright, let's give them two some space," Kade announces to the room.

Keeping my eyes trained on Jace, I don't bother watching the others get ushered out of the apartment by Jace's cousin. When the door clicks behind them, the first tear falls from my eyes.

"What happened?" I weakly ask.

"Come here." Jace opens his arms for me to come closer.

I eye up the bandages and nervously scoot closer. The last thing I want to do is hurt him by throwing myself at him. But Jace doesn't seem worried about it. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me onto his lap, burying his face in the crook of my neck. Breathing me in, his body relaxes. It's like he's been holding his breath until now, and seeing that breaks my heart.

I sniffle and wipe at my tears with one hand while wrapping the other one gingerly around him

"Please tell me what happened." I plead with soaked cheeks. "I know there's stuff you don't want to tell me, but...please."

Jace looks up at me, a slight shimmer in his gaze. "I...I want to."

"Then do it." I hiccup.

His face falls. "Baby, if anything, I should be trying to get you as far away from me as possible right now. I can't drag you through this with me. I can't risk you."

My sorrow shifts to anger. I turn myself around to face him, placing my legs on either side of his body. Lightly grabbing his face, I force him to look me in the face.

"No!" I will him to understand with the look in my eyes. "You do not get to push me away because you feel like it's the right thing to do."

Pain travels across his bruised face. "I don't have to push you away. All I gotta do is keep my fucking mouth shut and you'll go on your own." His words sound like the end but his grip around my waist tightens, holding me in place. "You wanna know all my secrets, Alexis?"

I swallow and nod.

Jace shakes his head. "I can't give that to you. Not right now."

"Then when?" I whisper.

Something flashes in his eyes, hope maybe before he quickly hides it. "I'm not sure. A few weeks. Maybe less. Maybe more. But I'd be a fucking idiot to tell you at all. My secrets could ruin you, baby. They could...could kill you."

Not telling me could kill me. Especially if it means losing him.

"I'll wait." I take a deep breath. "I'll wait until you're ready to tell me."

"Didn't you hear me?" Jace's face pinches together in agony. "I'm not good for you. My fucked up life could fuck yours up too." He lets go of me, his arms spreading wide. "Look at me, Alexis! Some serious shit happened and I got tore the fuck up. I can't let that happen to you!"

"Jace, shit happens, and sometimes we don't have control over that. You do not have control over what will and won't happen to me! I could get hit by a car tomorrow! No one knows!" I shout.

His face twists in pain again. "Don't say that."

I huff. "My point is that you are not responsible for my well being. So, please, don't take my choices from me. If I say I want to wait, that I want to see where things go between us, then don't take that away. Don't do that to me. Please, baby."

His ocean eyes hold mine for several minutes, like a whirlpool spinning me around and swallowing me whole. But the spinning in his own head is crystal clear. He wants to listen to me, but he's scared.

I don't know what happened to him, but I can't let him do this. He already left me without a choice once before. I'm not going to let him put me through that again.

So I take the choice from him and slam my mouth to his.

Jace's reaction is instantaneous. His mouth moves with mine, his body melting against me as his arms find their home around my waist. My tongue traces his lips and he opens to let me in, pulling me closer. His taste overwhelms me, filling my senses with mint and citrus. When he pulls away to take a breath, I continue to explore his skin with my mouth. Kissing his neck, sucking at the spots that I know mess with his head.

"Baby," Jace groans, making my insides tighten. "This is a bad idea."

"When were we ever a good idea?" I mumble against him.

"I'm serious, Lex," he says through gritted teeth. "You don't know what you're asking for."

I smile before running my tongue from the base of his throat to his strong jaw. "You'll tell me when you're ready."

His head falls back against the couch with defeat. "I hope I don't fucking regret this one day."

Yeah, me too.

💋____________________________________💋

Ha, I got it posted! Chapter 27 everyone! Sorry, I was a little worried I wouldn't make it tonight. In fact, this chapter might need some more editing soon but I did the best I could on little sleep.

Anyway, hopefully you all still enjoyed it.

So, tell me, what did you think of this chapter? Did the attack surprise you? Were you as worried for Wilder as Jace was? How about poor Motto? RIP! Did anything about Paxton surprise or worry you? And do you agree with Jace? Should he and Lexi part ways to keep her safe? OR do you think she's right?

Let me know what you think in the comments and if you like what you read, please hit that star button!

As usual, the teaser for chapter 28 will be posted on my Instagram and Twitter in a day or two. Keep an eye out for it! 

And for those of you that might be curious about Jace's ringtone, this is the song. 👇👇

https://youtu.be/GT6xoI3BkHU