Bound by my blood

Chapter seven

Jaxon's POV:

The neon lights flicker above me, bathing the room in a hazy red glow. Smoke lingers in the air, swirling above the slow, rhythmic beat of the music. The bass thrums through my chest as I lean back in my chair, swirling the amber liquid in my glass.

Onstage, a dancer twirls around the pole, her body bending and flexing in ways that earn roars of appreciation from the men in the club. She locks eyes with me as she swings upside down, her golden hair spilling toward the floor like liquid fire.

She's beautiful. But not her.

Not Lexi.

A sharp pang pierces my chest, an ache I've grown too used to. If only she wasn't so damn selfless. If only she'd run away with me like I've begged her to. If only she saw herself the way I see her—beyond the duty, beyond the cage she's locked in.

I've loved her since I was ten.

Giving her up is unbearable, but giving her up to him is a special kind of hell.

Vincenzo Lombardo—the bastard who collects women like trophies, using them, discarding them without a second thought. He doesn't respect them. He doesn't deserve her. And yet, somehow, she looks at him like he's the only man in the room.

That thought alone makes my blood boil.

She's never looked at me like that. Never with that same hunger, that same desperate, aching need. No matter how much love I pour into her, it's never been enough.

My grip tightens around my glass. If Vincenzo ever hurts her, if he so much as lays a cruel hand on her, I will put a bullet between his goddamn eyes.

Lexi is light itself. She walks into a room, and it brightens. She laughs, and the whole world turns toward her like she's the goddamn sun. The way her brown eyes sparkle when she sees chocolate cake, the way she snorts when she laughs too hard—it's intoxicating. She's oblivious to the effect she has on people, and somehow, that makes her even more breathtaking.

But she's slipping through my fingers.

I toss back the whiskey, the burn scorching down my throat as I scan the club. Ryder's done a good job with this place. He keeps the dancers protected, enforces rules like a goddamn tyrant, and ensures the men who step out of line regret it.

In the farthest booth, Nico sits with a dancer draped over his lap, his large hand splayed possessively across her thigh. Hayley. She's the only one who's ever mattered to him. She always finds her way back to him, but he keeps her at arm's length, like he's too afraid to pull her in all the way.

And then, my stomach turns.

Vincenzo.

He lounges next to Nico, as smug and untouchable as ever, his dark eyes scanning the room with an air of superiority. At his side, Angelo Catalona—his right-hand man and equally dangerous.

My jaw clenches. Why the fuck is he here? If Lexi were mine, I wouldn't leave her side, not even for a second.

Almost as if he feels me staring, Vincenzo turns his head. A slow, knowing smirk spreads across his lips. Then, with deliberate ease, he lifts a hand and waves me over.

Trapped.

I set my glass down with a clink, knowing I don't have much choice now. His gaze is locked on me, a challenge lingering in the air between us.

I move toward their booth, sliding into the seat beside Nico. Hayley doesn't even glance up, her fingers tracing idle patterns on Nico's arm. He, in turn, ignores everyone but her.

Vincenzo leans back, his eyes glinting with something sharp.

"Jaxon," he drawls smoothly. "Didn't know you were here. We were just talking about Alexa."

My stomach knots at her name leaving his mouth.

"She's going dress shopping tomorrow," he continues, voice dripping with amusement. "For the wedding." He pauses, watching me. Then, in a lower, more mocking tone, he murmurs, "I'm looking forward to our wedding night. Maybe you could give me some tips on what she's like in bed?"

My fingers twitch, itching to curl into a fist and drive straight into his smug fucking face.

He knows.

He knows about me and Lexi.

He's doing this on purpose.

I school my expression into one of indifference, meeting his gaze head-on. "I know," I say smoothly. "She messaged me about it this afternoon. Wanted my opinion on what kind of dress would look best."

A lie.

But the momentary flicker of irritation in his eyes is so worth it.

He hums, tilting his head. "Hmmm. That's odd. She was with me this afternoon. I don't remember her messaging you."

I smirk. "Oh, she did. Didn't mention you at all, though." I glance at my watch, feigning distraction. "Actually, I should go. Heading to her place for a movie night."

I grab my coat and stand, watching in satisfaction as Vincenzo's grip tightens around his glass. A single crack splinters through it.

Before he can respond, I turn and walk out.

Happiness courses through me as I push through the doors and step into the cool night air. I slide into my car, adrenaline thrumming through my veins.

Time to see Lexi.

---

Alexandria's POV

The first knock is quiet. Then silence.

I pull my duvet tighter around me, padding toward the window, my heart hammering as I push the curtain aside.

Jax grins at me from the other side of the glass, his dark eyes filled with mischief.

I sigh, unlatching the window. "Jax, what the hell are you doing here? Babbo is next door."

He slips inside effortlessly, brushing past me before collapsing onto my bed like he owns the place. "Your dad's not gonna catch me. Besides, I found this great movie. Thought we could watch it."

I sigh, fixing the blanket before lying back down beside him. "If someone finds out you're here—" I pause, anxiety twisting in my chest. "I'm getting married in less than a week, Jax."

His jaw tightens slightly, but he hides it with a nonchalant shrug. "Vincenzo already knows I'm here," he says casually, flipping through the movie selection. "Told him myself when I saw him at the club."

I freeze. "You saw him?"

"Yup." His lips twitch. "Didn't seem to care much, though. He was too busy getting cozy with a dancer."

My stomach drops.

He lied to me.

He told me he had a business meeting tonight. But after leaving me hot and flustered, he went straight to a strip club. The heat rushes to my face—not from anger, but from the memory of his words, his touch.

I shake my head. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Jax watches me closely. "Hey," he murmurs. "You okay?"

I nod quickly, looking away. My gaze lands on the screen as a group of teenagers stand in a circle, the movie beginning to play.

"So that's why you're here," I whisper. "Jax, I don't need your pity. I knew what I was signing up for when I agreed to this marriage. I just hope he's careful. I don't want to be humiliated."

Jax scoffs. "It's not okay, Lexi. You deserve someone who's loyal. Who'd sacrifice everything for you." He exhales sharply. "Not a fiancé who's a complete jackass."

I sigh, my exhaustion winning over. "Let's just watch the movie."

I rest my head against his chest.

He presses a soft kiss to my hair, murmuring an apology I pretend not to hear.