Chapter 16 - THE LAST STAND IN THE GARAGE
The blast struck Jax’s shoulder, tearing through his tactical armor and sending him crashing against the side of an armored sedan.
Jax dropped his rifle, gasping in severe pain as blood began pooling through his shirt.
Marcus stepped closer, racking the shotgun once more, a psychotic smile plastered across his face.
"It ends here, Jax," Marcus said, aiming the shotgun directly at Jax's chest.
"Say goodbye to your daughter."
Jax looked up at Marcus, his face covered in sweat and grime.
Instead of fear, Jax’s eyes burned with cold, calculating composure.
"You forgot one detail, Marcus," Jax whispered.
"What's that?" Marcus sneered.
"The car behind you," Jax said softly.
Before Marcus could turn around, the engine of a heavy armored SUV roared to life with a deafening rumble.
The bright high-beam headlights snapped on, blinding Marcus instantly.
It was Elena, sitting behind the wheel of the heavy vehicle.
She slammed her foot all the way down on the accelerator.
The massive SUV surged forward, slamming into Marcus with devastating speed and pinning him forcefully against the concrete wall of the garage.
The shotgun flew from Marcus's hands, clattering harmlessly across the floorboards.
Marcus gasped for breath, crushed from the waist down, his eyes wide with sheer disbelief.
Elena put the vehicle in park, stepped out of the driver's side, and ran straight over to Jax.
"Jax! Oh God, you're bleeding!" Elena cried, dropping to her knees and tearing off her gown's sleeve to press against his shoulder wound.
Jax groaned in pain, but managed a faint smile as he looked at her.
"Nice driving," Jax panted heavily.
He slowly pulled himself up, using the side of the car for support, and walked over to where Marcus was pinned against the wall.
Marcus looked up at Jax, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"Finish it..." Marcus choked out, coughing weakly. "Do it..."
Jax picked up the fallen shotgun off the concrete floor, racking a shell into the chamber.
He stared at his former best friend, his eyes filled with profound sadness rather than anger.
"You sacrificed everything for a chair at Victor's table," Jax said quietly. "Look where it brought you."
Jax didn't shoot. He tossed the weapon onto the hood of the vehicle.
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"I'm not like you, Marcus," Jax said. "Living with your failure is a far worse punishment."
Jax turned his back on Marcus, grabbed Elena’s hand, and pulled her toward the driver's seat of the armored SUV.
