Warning: This chapter mentions a sexual assault. It is not a flashback and is only briefly mentioned. 

After my mom and I moved to the west side, it didn't take me long to sign up as a Guardian prospect. One look at the tight brotherhood between them and I knew I wanted that. Blame it on the father issues I guess.

Though I never imagined so much would happen in those first few months of joining. No one did. It was the toughest time the Guardians had since my uncle took over twelve years ago. I never saw how he handled things back then, but I had a front-row seat when I joined.

Uncle Rob was tense, constantly worried. I could see it in the way his eyes would scan every face anytime we went anywhere. His large frame was always taut and ready to take action if he needed to. He was a fucking warrior on the edge, scared of what could happen to those he loved if he let his guard down for even a second.

It's an image I'll never forget, and it's the same one in front of us now as Uncle Rob paces behind the railing of the loft balcony.

He peers down at the Guardians gathered throughout the open space of the remodeled barn. Some pull out stools from the bar under the loft, others gather on couches, chairs, pool tables, and even the small makeshift stage in the corner by the front. Everyone's here today, all twenty-something guardians and five prospects, and each one giving their undivided attention to the man in charge. Even his left and right hands are standing up there with him, watching and waiting for his announcement.

"I received a call today from a friend at the courthouse." Uncle Rob stops pacing and grabs the railing with both hands, looking down at all of us. "We knew this day would come, just didn't think it would be this soon."

He can't mean...

With a sigh that racks through this mountain of a man, every face in the room turns hard, cold, and angry. His words are the oncoming train and each one of us is tied to the damn tracks.

"Victor Valentine was released from prison today..."

Son of a bitch.

The room erupts into mixtures of groans and curses, cutting off Uncle Rob mid sentence.

"This is bullshit!" A younger guy, Pete jumps out of his seat, sending his chair flying back.

Motto, a short scruffy man that's been around longer than my uncle calmly stands up too. "He hasn't even finished half his sentence."

"His rich daddy probably bought his freedom!" One of the few female Guardians, Wanda, sneers before draining the rest of her beer.

Wilder, Kade, Travis, and I don't make a sound. We don't need to. Our concern is written all over our faces. Each crease, worry line, and pinched muscle showing not only our hatred for this guy, but the worry for those closest to us.

This is bad news and it couldn't have come at a worse fucking time.

Just when I was starting to think I could get Lexi back...

After what happened to Josie and some of the other attacks we were hit with back then, I had no other choice. I pushed her away so she'd be safe. Even though it hurt like hell and made her hate me, I did what needed to be done. I'd rather her hate me and think I'm the scum of the fucking earth than to see something happen to her.

If I don't back off now though, if I keep chasing after her, all of that's gonna be for nothing. Her pain, my pain, for no fucking reason.

Pain...

God it's gonna be painful to see her every day now. I'll have to look in those bright hazel eyes and turn the other way. Ignore how badly I wanna wrap my fist in her chocolate brown hair and claim that smart mouth of hers. I'll have to watch her walk through the halls and keep from checking out every inch of her tempting body. That ass, those tits...fuck.

I have to suppress a grown just thinking about it. 

Stop thinking with your dick, shithead. You know damn well she's more than that.

Yeah, I know...

Alexis was the first person to look past my bullshit and take the time to get to know me. When everyone saw me as the kid with a chip on his shoulder and a shitty attitude, she saw...me.

That's why she came by the apartment when I broke up with her. She wasn't gonna let me slide with my usual crap, until she saw Kade's one night stand.

Now she looks at me the same way others do, and it's fucking killing me but there's nothing I can do about that now.

I gotta leave her alone.

It's a tough decision to swallow, making my throat close up just thinking about it.

"Calm the fuck down!" Uncle Rob's voice booms through the open space. "We are not gonna lose our shit! Is this hard to hear?...you're damn right. But we know what Victor and his Vipers are capable of now. We know what to look out for, what to do, and what not to do."

With his last words, his eyes find the four of us like a heat seeking missile along with a few other Guardians. We know what they're thinking, "Don't do something stupid like last time!"

Yeah, we got it.

Clearing his throat, my uncle tears his eyes away from us, addressing the entire room once again. "Chances are good Victor won't make any moves right away. He's not stupid. He doesn't wanna go back to prison any time soon. But we need to be careful nonetheless. Until I say otherwise, no one's to ride alone. You leave your house, you better have back up with you. That goes for the young guns too. At school, you stay together."

He points to his right and left hand guys on either side of him, Colt and Omar. The three of them have been thick as thieves since they were our age. Colt's pretty cool, laid back, and walks around like a damn Viking with his long blonde hair and beard. Omar can be more intense, a near permanent scowl etched into his jet black beard that he keeps as neatly trimmed as the equally dark hair on top of his head.

"I want everyone checking in once a day with either myself, Colt, or Omar. Patrols will be increased too, and I don't want anyone stepping into business they don't belong in. Oh," Uncle Rob's cold blue eyes find us again, "and no illegal racing or fighting either. We need to keep a low profile for a while." He nods. "Now go on, if you're on patrol tonight you need to get to it. Anyone's got any questions, you know where to find me."

People start to spread out, some leaving completely while others stick around to drink and blow off steam. The side door is opened for the women waiting outside or just arriving, a few chicks already claimed by Guardians but mostly ones looking for a ride on more than just a bike.

The ladies trying to score switch their hips as they enter. Hoping to draw someone's attention. A petite brunette I'm more than familiar with flips her hair as she heads my way.

Without even thinking, I shake my head, turning her down before she gets more than a few feet.

"Not feeling Sophie tonight?" Travis mocks.

"Just not in the mood." I shift in my seat.

Wilder chuckles. "When are you not in the mood for pussy?"

A knowing smile slips across Kade's face. "He means he's not in the mood for Sophie. Now if Lexi were here, that'd be a different fucking story."

The three of them watch me closely, I can feel it. They're trying to see if I'll crack, if I'll admit that maybe Alexis is getting under my skin more than I thought. Thing is, I already know how far under my skin she is, it's getting her to admit the same that's the problem.

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I shake my head, hoping I come off as calmer than I feel. "I don't know what y'all are talking about. I just don't want Sophie's worn out tricks tonight."

"Mmhmm, sure." Kade nods.

"No, what he really means," Wild sits on the edge of his seat, "is that Sophie's gonna have to move on because Lexi's not the sharing type. Ain't that right, Jace? She's gonna lock your ass down as soon as she stops bullshitting."

"Why don't you worry about your own sex life, Wild. When was the last time you got some?" I grin, knowing from the smile on his face that he's already been hooked. No guy likes to be challenged when it comes to what they're capable of, and Wilder's no different.

He leans back in his seat, his face stretching as his smile grows wider. "Shit, I already snagged two cheerleaders today after school."

"Oh, that's why you were late." Kade shakes his head.

Wild's not wrong though, Alexis isn't the type to share. If I were to ever get her back, she'd be the only one in my bed, and honestly, I wouldn't complain. But I'm not gonna have to worry about that. Nothing can happen between us, not now.

Might as well wave Sophie over.

With a deep sigh, I turn to see if Sophie's still hanging around. Instead, I see Josie strutting into the barn like it's just a normal day.

My gut sinks just looking at her. She has no fucking idea, if she did, she wouldn't look so calm.

I nod in her direction. "Someone's gotta break the news."

Kade's face drops as he notices the feisty redhead. If I'm feeling sick just thinking about her hearing the news, I can't even imagine how he must feel.

"I got it." Kade's voice darkens, as he controls the emotions showing on his face and pushes up from his chair.

He bee-lines it for her, but his dad must've had the same idea. As Uncle Rob comes down the stairs he finds Josie and pulls her to the side before Kade can reach her.

"Think she'll be okay?" Wilder stares at the private talk being held across the room, all his joking from a few seconds ago whipped away.

I shrug, unable to look away as Kade finally joins Josie and his dad. "I hope so."

"Probably not." Travis shakes his head but there's a twist to his mouth that says he couldn't care less. A mix of a grin and a sneer that makes me wanna knock his teeth out.

Wilder gets to his feet and back hands T in the head as he walks to the bar.

"Fucking asshole," Travis grumbles beneath his breath as he rubs his head, but he doesn't move to retaliate.

"You better watch your mouth, T." I stare down at him as I get up from my seat. "We have your back, but you start saying shit about Jo and it's gonna be more than just Wilder kicking your ass in practice."

I don't spare him another look but I still feel the flames he's burning into my back as I walk away.

Travis has always had a thing for Josie, but she's only ever had eyes for Kade. It's messed with his head, hardened him in a way when it comes to her. He tries to act like he doesn't care anymore, but I know if she were to really go to him, he'd cave.

Not that I think that'll ever happen.

By the time I make it across the room, Kade and Josie are in each other's faces.

"You can't stop me!" Jo shouts before she stomps up the stairs and straight into Uncle Rob's office, slamming the door behind her.

My uncle places a sturdy hand on Kade's shoulder and squeezes. "Relax, son. This is her choice. You gotta respect that."

Kade pulls away and jets for the side doors. My uncle catches my gaze and nods for me to follow after my cousin. There's no hesitation. Kade's always been there for me, and I'll always be there for him.

Walking outside, I don't have to go far to find him. Towards the back of the barn he paces circles into the ground, a nervous habit he picked up from his dad. As I get closer, I can hear him mumbling under his breath before he finally strikes out and punches the side of the building, the sound of vibrating metal ringing in the air.

"Woah, careful, man. Don't wanna fuck up your right hook."

Kade looks at me from the corner of his eyes as he backs away from the building.

I get closer, hoping to step in if he tries to punch anything again. "You wanna tell me what's going on?"

"Will you leave if I say no?"

"No." I shake my head. "Not until you cool down."

He heaves a sigh and runs his hands through his shaggy hair, pulling at the ends like a mad man.

"Is this about Josie?"

Kade releases a painful groan. "Josette...stubborn woman."

Shit, Kade's only ever called Jo by her given name when he's pissed and she's driving him up the damn wall. For two people that aren't together, they sure as hell fight like they are. They're always going back and forth, at each other's throats before ripping each other's clothes off, but there's something different this time. Whatever's going on it's more serious than usual.

"Pops told her about Victor." Kade grits his teeth as he stares at the ground like he can see straight to hell. "She...she wants to be a Guardian."

"What?" I jerk back from the news. "Why the hell would she wanna do that?"

Currently, we have at least five female Guardians and one female prospect, so it's not unheard of. I just never imagined Josie wanting to join up. She's been around, connected to the group in one way or another since before I showed up. Never has she showed any interest in becoming one of us, always satisfied with the way things were.

I know Victor getting out must be a shock for her. It was a shock for all of us. Son of a bitch plead guilty to "rape through gross negligence" to keep his brother from having to do time with him. A bullshit way of saying he didn't know she didn't consent to taking turns with the Valentine brothers. His brother, Vince, got two years probation cause he was a minor. Victor coulda got five years plus another two since Jo was only fifteen, but they gave him four for saving the court time. It's barely been two since he went away.

But we all knew he'd get out one day.

"Why now?"

Kade juts out his chin as he looks at me, flexing his fingers repeatedly like he's dying to throw another punch. "What?"

This is the side of Kade only so many get to see. Most of the time he's chilled out, in perfect fucking control, and acting like an idiot with the rest of us. But he has demons. His anger, or the mood swings he gets when he's not taking his meds and winds up staying in bed for days. That's the shit he hides.

I brace myself, if he goes for the wall I'll have to step in. If he goes for me, I gotta duck. "Why does she wanna join now? She's had years to do it. What's changed?"

Kade looks through me. "She wants to be a Guardian because she wants to protect herself! Because she thinks I," he thumps his hand on his chest, "can't keep her safe!"

"You sure that's it?"

His eyebrows pinch together and the tension in his body slacks. "What else could it be?"

"Maybe she's worried about the times you can't be there." I step forward. "Maybe she needs to do this to feel like she has some kind of control or some shit."

Kade's lips thin, his face pulling with concentration as he watches the ground. Each breath he takes growing lighter as the seconds tick by.

"You think that could be it?"

"I don't know." I shrug. "You'll have to ask her, but standing out here beating up the clubhouse isn't gonna give you any answers."

Kade looks at me, a hint of a grin on his face. "Like you haven't tried punching out answers before."

This time it's my turn to look away. "I have all the answers I need."

And just like that, we switch places. Kade becomes the older cousin again as concern fills his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I shrug and step away. "Nothing."

"Bullshit, Jace. Start talking."

A sigh shakes free from my body while I finally look my cousin in the eyes for the first time since he's turned the tables.

"I see." He nods. "This is about Lexi."

I give a short laugh. "Look at us, torn up out here about some chicks."

"Stop evading." Kade shakes his head, his hair falling in his face. "What answers you think you got? You still tryna win her back?"

My lip curls back, the realization of my decision hitting me like a foul-tasting dose of reality. "No...I gotta back off."

"Don't start that shit again." Kade pins me with a glare. "Just cause Vic is out doesn't mean you gotta push her away."

"It's not like she wants me anyway." I shrug it off despite the sharp pain in my chest. "It'll be easy. She won't get hurt if I back away now."

"You're a stubborn ass, little cousin." He closes the gap between us and places his hand on my shoulder like his dad did to him inside. "You can't keep her away anymore, it's too late for that. Guardians are in her school, which makes the chances of Vipers showing up that much stronger. Wouldn't she be better off with you if that happened?"

I can't deny it, he has a point. If something happened at school, I could protect her if she was close. Right now, she doesn't trust me worth a shit. She wouldn't let me help her even if her life depended on it, and truthfully, it could. Just us being at F.H.S. could put her in danger.

"Just think about it...prospect."

"Man, shut the hell up with all that prospect bullshit." I laugh and shake my head.

Kade cracks a smile so big I know he's already feeling better about the whole Jo situation. "Aww, don't be mad I got patched first. You and the boys will get yours soon...maybe."

Kade passed his prospecting period over the summer. No more plain leathers, now he carries the Guardians' patch on his back just like his dad. It's not all that surprising. He's a year older and joined long before me.

When he found out he couldn't graduate last year and had to repeat his senior year, he put all his effort into earning that patch. He needed to feel like he accomplished something. Even took a break from fighting for a little while. He's damn proud of it, and likes to brag some.

I don't mind so much. I'll get there one day too.

Kicking at the ground, I send a cloud of dust and rocks his way. "Get the hell outta here. Go find Josie and tell her you were being an ass."

He nods, already heading towards the doors. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, and you go chill the fuck out. Do some more thinking about that girl of yours."

"Alright. Catch up with you in a minute." I call back.

Maybe he's right. Maybe I need to win Lexi back more than ever...or would staying away be better?

I lean against the side of the building and take a deep breath. Nothing would make me happier than getting her back, but I gotta be smart. I can't be selfish and have it come back to hurt her. I just don't know what the hell I should do. 

💋____________________________________💋

So happy to finally give you all a taste of the Guardians! I tried not to dive so far into the Guardian's business right now and make the story drag. Though as this goes on, you will be seeing a lot more of them!

Now for my questions!

What do you think of the Guardians or Jace's uncle? Do you have any questions about them or what was being discussed? How do you think this will impact Jace and Lexi's relationship?

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

A teaser for chapter 7 will be posted on my Instagram in a day or two. Make sure you don't miss it!