Breaking Point

The sound of silverware clinking against plates filled the tense silence.

Grace pushed a piece of food around her plate, barely paying attention. Jax, sitting across from her, had barely touched his meal either. The air between them was thick—like there was something waiting to be said, but neither of them knew how to start.

Until Jax finally broke the silence.

"Why does it bother you so much?" His voice was quiet, but there was something sharp beneath it.

Grace blinked, looking up. "What?"

"All of this." He gestured vaguely between them. "Sienna, the messages, the fight. Why does it matter so much to you?"

Grace inhaled sharply. She knew this conversation was coming, but she hadn't expected it now.

She set her fork down, staring at him. "Because... even if this started as a fake relationship, I felt something. And don't even try to tell me you didn't." She shook her head, her tone growing stronger. "Yeah, we kissed because we had to. Yeah, this whole thing was set up. But don't act like it was just that."

Jax opened his mouth, but Grace wasn't done.

"We're friends, aren't we?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "Or at least I thought we were."

Jax's jaw tensed, his fingers tightening around his knife. He didn't answer immediately, but his expression gave something away.

Before he could speak, a sudden bang echoed through the apartment.

Both of them froze.

Another bang. This time louder.

Jax pushed his chair back, standing up just as the front door slammed open.

Grace's breath hitched. Her body went rigid as heavy footsteps stormed inside. The door banged against the wall, shaking from the force.

Jax's entire expression shifted.

From confusion—to fear.

Grace barely had time to react before three figures entered the room, their presence sucking the air out of the space. Dressed in dark clothing, their movements were precise, controlled. One of them, a man with slicked-back hair and a scar down his cheek, stepped forward. His cold, calculating gaze landed on Jax.

"Long time no see," he said smoothly.

Jax's fists clenched. "Luca."

Grace's stomach twisted. Who the hell is Luca?

Jax looked... different. Not just tense, not just angry—but like he knew exactly who these people were. Like he knew why they were here.

Luca's gaze flickered to Grace, then back to Jax. His smirk widened.

"You didn't think you could ignore your debts forever, did you?"

Grace's heart pounded.

Debts?

She looked at Jax, waiting for him to deny it—to call Luca a liar. But Jax didn't move. His hands curled into fists at his sides, his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful.

Luca stepped further into the apartment, his two men following close behind. They didn't speak, but their presence alone sent a wave of unease through Grace's body. They were too calm. Too controlled. Like they knew they had the upper hand.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jax said, his voice even. But Grace wasn't stupid. She caught the slight edge in his tone—the one that meant he was lying.

Luca chuckled, shaking his head. "Come on, Riot. I thought we were past this. You owe me."

Jax didn't respond.

Grace looked between them, trying to piece together what the hell was happening. "Jax?" she asked hesitantly.

His jaw twitched, but he still didn't answer.

Luca smirked. "Oh, she doesn't know, does she?" His eyes flickered to Grace, like he was seeing her in a whole new light. "That's interesting."

Jax took a step forward, his body blocking hers. "Leave her out of this."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? Because from where I'm standing, she seems very involved." He tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "Let's see... fake relationship, right? To clean up your image? I gotta say, Jax, I didn't think you had it in you to play house."

Grace's breath caught in her throat.

Luca knew. He knew everything.

Jax barely reacted, but she could see the way his fingers twitched—the slight shift in his stance, like he was ready for a fight.

"I said, leave her out of this," Jax repeated, his voice lower now. Darker.

Luca sighed dramatically, as if he was disappointed. "Fine. Let's get back to business, then." He took another step forward, lowering his voice. "The money, Riot. You were supposed to pay up weeks ago."

Grace's eyes widened. Money?

Jax was in debt?

She tried to process it, but nothing made sense. Jax was a rockstar. He had more money than he knew what to do with. Why the hell would he be borrowing from someone like this?

Jax's entire body was rigid. "I told you. I just need more time."

Luca clicked his tongue. "See, that's the thing. I don't do extensions. You knew that when you came to me." He took another step forward, his voice turning cold. "And yet, here we are."

Jax didn't move. Didn't flinch.

Grace, on the other hand, felt like she couldn't breathe.

What did you do, Jax?

Luca sighed, shaking his head like he was disappointed. "Alright," he said. "If you don't have the money, we'll take something else."

And then—his gaze shifted to her.

Grace's blood ran cold.

Jax immediately stepped in front of her, his entire body tense. "Don't."

Luca smirked. "Relax. I'm not unreasonable. I just think we need a little... insurance."

Jax's breathing was heavy now. "You don't touch her."

Luca lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Fine. She stays—for now." He turned slightly, nodding to his men. "But if you don't have my money by the end of the week?" His eyes darkened. "You will regret it."

Jax didn't move.

Didn't speak.

He just stared.

The silence stretched. Then finally, Luca took a step back, adjusting his jacket like he had all the time in the world.

"Well," he said smoothly. "It was nice catching up." His eyes flickered to Grace one last time before he turned for the door. His men followed without a word.

And then—just as quickly as they had come—they were gone.

The apartment was silent.

The only thing Grace could hear was her own pounding heartbeat.

She turned to Jax, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What the hell was that?"

The front door had barely swung shut when heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"Sir! Mr. Riot!"

Jax whipped around just as two security guards rushed inside, their expressions frantic. They were too late. Way too late.

"Are you kidding me?" Jax's voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy silence. His entire body was still tense, his hands curled into tight fists at his sides. "Now you show up?"

One of the guards hesitated. "We—we were stationed at the entrance. No one reported anything—"

"No one reported anything?" Jax let out a harsh, humorless laugh. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing like he was about to explode. "So what, you just let three guys walk right past you? You just let them into my home?"

The guards exchanged nervous glances. "Sir, we—"

Jax didn't let him finish. "You're fired." His voice was low, dangerous. "Both of you. Get the hell out of my sight."

One of the guards opened his mouth to protest, but Jax's glare was lethal. He didn't give them a chance.

"Now."

The room fell into an eerie silence as the two guards hesitated for a second before nodding stiffly and backing away. The moment they were gone, the door slamming shut behind them, Jax exhaled sharply, his hands still shaking with rage.

Grace was still standing in the same spot, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She had never seen Jax like this. Not this furious. Not this broken.

But right now? He wasn't just angry.

He was scared.