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Run? The combination of Jessa’s broad smile, raised eyebrows, and bright, shining eyes popped that idea like an eighteen gauge needle. Seyla bit her lip, guilt washing over her, and pasted a smile on her own face. “I’m good.”
“Thanks again for doing this.” Jessa squeezed Seyla’s forearm. “I appreciate it.”
“What are friends for?” Seyla offered her another overblown smile.
Jessa’s phone pinged. She glanced at it. “I texted Nate. They’re here. Once we meet his friend’s parents to go over somedetails, we can find the guys.” She grabbed Seyla’s hand, her eyes sparkling. “Ooooh! I’m getting nervous!” She fanned herself with the other hand. “We’re going to have fun. I promise.”
People milled around them like ants.
Seyla frowned, her spirits wilting. “Sure.”
/////
Jax wasn’t sure which slowed them down more, Matt’s injury or popularity. He gritted his teeth when yet another group of passersby grabbed Matt’s arm and launched into a conversation.
In school, Matt’s welcoming friendship, along with his elevated social status, had been a lifesaver to an angry, wounded kid in a new school.
Now? His skin itched to move. It made no sense; he had no reason to be in a rush. Yet every cell in his body hummed with the desire to hurry.
To where?
Victor Soros passed by them with a nod, a smirk on his thin lips. Jax eyed the man, careful to keep a blank expression.
When Victor strolled out of sight, Jax glanced in the direction of the sanctuary fence. He found himself hoping nothing went wrong today for Seyla’s sake. Immediate shock followed the thought. That land was perfect for the training center’s purposes. And the sanctuary posed a danger to the public as a result of the “accidents” that kept occurring. So why the concern?
Seyla would be fine if the sanctuary relocated. She’d simply relocate with it. If she didn’t, he was doing her a favor.
So why did he feel like such a heel?
He engaged in small talk with Matt’s friends, managing to evade the unwelcome touch of an underdressed redhead intent on flirting with him. He had no time for romance right now.
There it was again. That feeling that he needed to rush somewhere. Where?
Jax glanced at Matt. What would happen to their friendship if he bought out the sanctuary? Would it survive Seyla’s hatred? Doubtful. He wrestled with the thought, uncomfortable with losing a friend. Matt maintained a fierce loyalty to Seyla, and although it’d be for the best, she wouldn’t see it that way. He’d briefly mentioned the rumors and his idea to Matt already. The man had brushed it off, assuring Jax the sanctuary was fine.
It wasn’t.
Jax also had to think of his business partners, especially his mentor, Rich Menendez. They were counting on him to secure the sanctuary lands for their new training facility. Fellow ex-Rangers, they were as close to him as brothers. How could he let them down? How could he let Rich down?
Matt kicked Jax’s foot with a crutch, knocking him out of his thoughts. “Hey, I got a text from Jessa. They’re here.”
“Did they say where?” Jax perked up, ready to go.
“She said she’d meet us by the food pavilion in ten minutes.” Matt flipped the hair away from his eyes and readjusted his sunglasses. Subtle cues to the guy’s nervousness.
Jax smiled.
Matt remained one of the kindest, most lighthearted men he knew, not embittered by the past or the battlefield.
Yet.
The smile dropped from Jax’s face. What if he destroyed that? Was it possible their buyout plan would hurt him that way? Could he live with himself if he hurt Matt like that?
A cackling laugh erupted to Jax’s left. He caught sight of Travis Yoder, a slight stagger to his gait, rounding a corner. Jax shook off the hand of the redhead, which had somehow landed on his forearm while he’d been lost in thought. He scanned the crowd, intent on getting Travis back in his sight.
No luck.
Was Travis drunk? Where would he have gotten alcohol? Jax hadn’t seen any at the fair. Had the man driven here that way?
