SARAH “I can’t believe you did that.” Jaxon has his hands wrapped around my waist while I clean the blood off his forehead. He pulls me even closer, sniffing my scent. Over and over again, he tried to lean into my body, but I try to hold his face upwards. You know, to avoid blood on my shirt. There’s a bump and a bruise there from where his head collided. Each bloody cotton ball hits the bottom of the waste bin. I peep into it for a second, and my mind counts ten already used balls. Sheesh. That’s really a lot of blood. I’m surprised he isn’t dizzy or light headed yet. Jaxon HawkThorne is anything but a normal man. I remember his kill count, and I heaved a sigh. Of course, what’s a little bruise on the head and knuckles compared to other things he would have done? “I’d do it again,” he says calmly, earning him a throaty laugh from me. “I’m serious.” “Okay.” I chuckle, even though I know he means it. I’m holding his jaw with my right hand, dabbing at the split skin with my left. His knuckles are a mess, and I worry he might need stitches. “You don’t even want to know what Ronan’s going to do to him when he finds out.” He shakes his head as he speaks, and I heave a long sigh. “Maybe you should let me handle this one, baby. There are cameras in my office. He was stupid enough to try to assault me right there on camera.” “You tried to handle it yourself, baby. Look what happened.” “Jax, I…” “Sarah!” The loud screen from outside cuts me off. I freeze. Jaxon lifts his head. “That’s Ronan and Malachi.” We step out of my bathroom and there they are. I can almost swear they ran up here. But how did they find out? I hadn’t called them yet. Then I find Nel standing behind them, clutching his phone in his right hand.“You called them.” My tone drops, as if he did me a disservice, or betrayed me. If I’m being truthful, I am happy they’re here. Knowing that they’ll come running at the first call that I’m in danger, it does something oddly sweet to me. I’m a queen in this kingdom. I love it here. “And it’s a good thing he did,” Ronan fumed. “Were you really going to keep this from us?” “Jaxon almost killed him. I had it under control.” “With good enough reason. It wouldn't be a case of ‘almost’ if it had been me. He’s lucky.” Malachi steps forward and touches my cheek. His gaze softens, as though all his worry fades away the second his skin meets mine. “Are you alright?” God. They’re so amazing. I lean into his hand. For a second, everything else fades. “I’m okay.” “What happened?” Ronan asks. “Tell us everything.” So I do. Julian walking in, locking the door, backing me against the wall, trying to kiss me. I do leave out the part where I knee him in the balls. I need to continue to be as demure as possible. Jaxon might already know though. Whatever. I do not let myself worry about the specifics. I’m safe. That’s all that matters to both them and me. With every sentence, Ronan gets more and more irritated. “You’ll think he would have some sense after I spoke to him yesterday.” Wait, what. I blink in surprise. “You met him yesterday?” Ronan clears his throat. His slumped shoulders grow tense as he adjusts his neck tie. “I did.” “Fuck it,” It all makes sense now. “I knew there was a reason he lost his mind. Did you go there to bait him?”“Maybe.” Ronan says. No apology. I’m torn between amusement and annoyance. Ronan might have pissed Julian off, but he didn’t plant any thoughts in his head. What Julian did—what he tried to do to me—that’s really who he is. Once again, I’ve been fooled by a man. I know better now. Much better. “He took the bait and crashed out.” “It’s good he did,” Ronan says. “Now he’s off our backs. And this should be enough to get him fired.” “I need to check the CCTV footage,” I say. “Make sure everything was captured.” ~ The security office is cramped with all four of us inside. Marcus, head of security, pulls up the footage from my office. “I already flagged this for the disciplinary committee, Ms. Wellspring. But I wanted you to see it first.” He hits play. I watch myself working. Julian enters, locks the door, moves closer, I try to dodge, back away, he corners me against the wall. I knee him in the balls. Jaxon bursts out laughing, I wonder how his head doesn’t hurt. “That’s what I’m talking about,” “Rather perfect form.” Malachi winks at me. Ronan stays silent. The footage continues. Jaxon bursting in. The beating that follows. Julian trying to crawl away. Jaxon dragging him back. Over and over until security tears them apart. “Can you send this to me?” I ask Marcus. “I want to submit it to the disciplinary committee myself.” “Already in your inbox.” “Actually,” I say, pulling out my phone. “I’m going to do it right now.” I forward the footage to the head of the disciplinary committee with a brief explanation. She should know what it is once she sees it. “There,” I say, hitting send. “Done.” “He’s finished,” Ronan says. “Good.”Back in my office, Nel brings in food. I’m having Thai food this time. My babies must have something for spice. Lunch is in a makeshift office, and with my men surrounding me. “The board meeting is in five days. I’m guessing Julian won’t be there anymore.” “A win is a win.” Malachi mutters with his mouth almost stuffed full. “Yes. But I still need to prepare. Still need to make sure the other board members are on my side.” “We can help with that,” Jaxon offers. “I know. But this part is mine to fight.” Ronan nods. It’s the first thing he’s said in about one hour. “We understand.” In no time, lunch is over, and I have to return to work. “We’ll be at the house when you’re done.” Ronan says as he kisses my forehead. “Okay, goodbye.” They leave. The office is quiet again. I look around and sniff in, feel the cold air rattle my lungs. Standing up against Julian seems to have left me with a different aura, a strength I never knew I had until now. And I know just who to attack next. A small smile tugs at my lips. Aaron Connor, I guess I’ll see you again after all.