He waved me off without raising his head. What a prick. I withdrew my cell as I exited, and a strong breeze carrying the familiar scent of fresh water and a hint of fish rustled my hair. Scrolling to Jax’s name in my contact list, I pushed the call button and waited for him to answer, all the while searching the area. This wasn’t a conversation I wanted overheard, but I needed something fast and my instincts told me he could get it for me.

“What’s up?” he answered.

I darted my gaze around the parking lot once more, satisfied that I was completely alone. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Depends.”

“I need a gun.”

“Come again?”

“You heard me. Can you get one?”

“Well, yeah, but why? What’s going on?”

“It’s Alex. She showed up on the island today. I don’t wanna go into details, but she’s scared. I need a weapon.”

“Whoa…you need to back up there. What the fuck is going on?”

I sighed in exasperation. “Her brother is psychotic. He’s the one who shot me, Jax. Can you get me a gun or not?”

“Are you gonna use it to protect yourself or her?”

I narrowed my eyes. “What does it matter?”

“You’re doing it for her then.”

Not a question. “So what if I am?” I shot back, tiring of his inquisition. “If you don’t wanna do it, just say so. I’ll find someone else.” Though Jax was the only one I trusted even marginally with this. I was a felon. If I went down for getting my hands on a gun, well that would be tragically ironic.

And dangerous because Alex would be left on her own.

“You sure she’s worth it?”

“Why do you hate her?” I asked, the disdain in his voice bothering me.

“I don’t hate her.” He lowered his confrontational tone by a few degrees. “You did, for the three years we shared a cell.”

“There’s a reason she did what she did.” I kicked a rock and watched it ricochet off a bright blue curb. “She’s trying to make it right, and she’s fucking terrified, Jax. I won’t stand by and do nothing.”

He sighed. “You wouldn’t be you if you did. Saving people is your MO.”

I glance around again, tapping my foot. “So you’ll get it for me?”

He didn’t say anything at first, and I thought I heard him let loose a curse. “Yeah, I’ll get you what you need. Tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll get it to you tonight.”

20. Uncaged - Alex

20. UNCAGED - ALEX