Chapter 3The Title I Promised to Give

I decided to leave the city.

But first, I took the keys to the villa and went to Jax's club.

No makeup, no fancy dress. Just jeans and canvas sneakers.

When I walked in, most of the guys didn't even recognize me.

It was only when I took off my cap that the crew—the same guys who used to eagerly call me "boss lady"—fell silent.

They all knew about Jax and the new girl. The ones who were still loyal to me started trying to stir things up.

"Sandy, for what it's worth, we all think you and the boss are the perfect match."

"This new girl… she's a lightweight. Can't exactly show her off, can you?"

"Why don't you go talk to him? You know he always listens to—"

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

Ten years with Jax.

I had an innocent face, but with a slash of red lipstick and a bit of eyeliner, I could look deadly. Plenty of men had their eyes on me, but Jax was always there to protect me. Anyone who dared to touch a hair on my head ended up hauling sandbags in some godforsaken desert outpost.

If I shed a single tear, Jax would drop everything to comfort me.

That was a privilege once reserved only for me.

But this time, the guys didn't get to finish their sentence.

A porcelain cup shattered against the wall, right next to one of their heads.

Jax's face was dark with fury.

"Anyone listening would think Sandy runs this place."

"Is this how you watch my business when I'm gone?!"

The sprawling room went dead silent.

That was the power Jax commanded.

Only now, that power was being used against me.

I started to explain, to defend the guys, but the girl behind him peeked out, her tone deceptively innocent.

"Jax, is this the Sandy you told me about?"

"She's dressed just like me!"

Jax's brow furrowed as he looked me up and down.

Jeans, canvas sneakers. It was a mirror image of Ava's style.

He looked at me with suspicion in his eyes.

"Sandy, did you look her up?"

If you looked closely, Ava did look about five parts like I did at eighteen. Especially in this outfit.

I saw right through the girl's little game, but I refused to defend myself.

Instead of me investigating Ava, wasn't it more likely that someone had investigated Jax's tastes?

After ten years together, he couldn't even trust me on this…

I pressed my lips into a stubborn line.

Jax let out a short, sharp laugh. A sneer.

"No matter how much you dress the part, you're not eighteen anymore."

"Sandy, what are you fighting me for?"

I blinked, unable to believe what he'd just said.

"How about this," Jax said, licking his lips, his voice devoid of any emotion.

"Ten years. Name your price."

I froze.

I had been with Jax for ten years.

I'd taken a bullet for him. I'd taken a knife for him.

But nothing, not a single moment, had ever hurt more than this.

My nails dug into my palms, my voice trembled.

"Jax, what did you just say?"

"I said, I wasted ten years of your youth."

"Name your price."

He stood there, hands in his pockets. Even as a storm of emotion raged in his eyes, he forced the words out.

I felt like I was going to collapse.

Ava tugged on his sleeve, whispering, "Jax, don't be so mean."

"Sandy didn't do anything wrong."

He looked down at her, his expression softening as he gently brushed his nose against hers.

"It's okay, baby. Be good." He pushed her behind him. "I'm not going to let anyone bully you."

That's how he used to protect me.

I couldn't watch. A bitter bile rose in my throat.

I looked down and saw the silver bangle on my wrist.

The year he gave it to me, it was a snug fit.

But the deeper I fell in love with Jax, the looser it became.