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“Fuck off, asshole. It’s not about that.”
“What? You got a problem with the kid or something?”
“Jesus, Rhys,” Jax said in irritation then fell silent before admitting, “He’s the one who has a problem with me.”
Rhys tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Look, I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but up until yesterday, Dane thought you shot Rollins in cold blood.”
Jax stiffened. Shit, if that were true then no wonder Dane kept looking at him like he was a monster. Not that it made much of a difference since his admission about his role in Rawlings’ death had obliterated any respect Dane might have had for him in the first place. “Doesn’t matter,” he finally responded. “Don’t let him know I was here, okay? I’ll stay on him after you drop him at the garage and make sure he gets back here okay. Then I’ll see where things are at.”
“You sure?” Rhys asked.
Jax nodded. “Good luck with things, Tellar. Looks like you’ve found a pretty good life here.” Rhys’ whole face softened and Jax had no doubt the man was thinking about his lovers.
“Maybe we’ll be seeing you around,” Rhys said with a grin as he drove past Jax and headed down Dane’s driveway.
“Not likely,” Jax whispered as soon as he was sure Rhys was out of hearing range.
* * *
Jax gave Rhys a quick nod as the man drove past him in his ancient truck. Rhys had dropped Dane off a couple minutes earlier at the garage and Jax could see Dane’s fixed SUV sitting in the driveway near the entrance. He had to wonder if the mechanic or crime scene guys had at least managed to get the blood and gore out of the upholstery before returning it to the vet.
Dane came out of the garage and carried Emma’s car seat around to the passenger side, giving Jax an unobstructed view of Dane’s gorgeous ass as he worked to get the base attached to the seat. He was too far away to see Emma’s face, but he could tell she was awake by the occasional arm movement and leg kicking. Jax couldn’t believe it but he actually missed the little rug rat.
A motion in his peripheral ripped Jax from his thoughts and he was reaching for his gun as the familiar black sedan from the previous day came to a screeching stop at the edge of the driveway. The same man who’d been following Dane jumped out of the passenger seat.
“Hey!” Jax shouted just as the guy reached Dane and slammed what looked like the butt of a revolver against his head, knocking Dane to his knees. Jax knew he couldn’t risk firing directly at the guy with Dane and Emma in such close proximity so he raised the gun above his head and fired. The stranger who’d been about to strike Dane again looked up and then took off running and jumped into the waiting car.
“Dane?” Jax shouted as he dropped down next to Dane who was holding his hand against his forehead.
“Emma?” Dane shouted as he tried to right himself.
“She’s fine. Right next to you,” Jax reassured him as he helped Dane turn so he could see his daughter for himself. The baby had gone quiet with the commotion, but promptly burst into tears.
“Dane, let me see,” Jax said as he gently pulled Dane’s hand away from his head. A nasty gash was oozing blood from his temple.
“Dr. Winters?”
Jax instantly whipped his gun up at the sound of the strange voice, then lowered it when he recognized Jimmy, the mechanic.
“Call the sheriff!” he ordered the startled young man who ran off to do as he was told.
“What happened?” Dane asked as he lowered himself until he was sitting on the cement. His free hand automatically went to Emma’s car seat and he began rocking it back and forth.
“Fucker hit you with a gun,” Jax snarled as he tried to get his rage under control.
“I didn’t even see anyone,” Dane mumbled. “Was he trying to take my car?”
Jax figured now wasn’t the time to get into details so he grunted non-committedly and began searching through the diaper bag until he found a small towel. He dropped down next to Dane and carefully pressed the cloth to his head. His heart nearly stopped when Dane’s eyes met his. “What are you still doing here, Jax?”
God, he would never get tired of hearing Dane say his name. It was like the man was stroking him with his tongue every time he said it. He was saved from having to answer when he heard a siren blaring down the street. Since the police station was actually within walking distance, it was no surprise when Sheriff Granger pulled up less than a minute later.
* * *
Dane nearly laughed as he leaned back against the passenger seat. It seemed like he’d spent more time in Jax’s car in the last two days than out of it. And having the big, dangerous, stunning man sitting next to him once again after Dane had finally managed to get him out of his life – if not his thoughts – was some kind of colossal joke that the cosmos was playing on him.
“How many is this now?” Dane asked as he closed his eyes and tried to will the throbbing in his head to go away.
“How many is what?” Jax asked.
