Chapter 2 - THE TORN PROMISE
Jax's eyes flashed with lethal intent as Victor's enforcers stepped forward.
"Touch her and you die where you stand," Jax threatened, stepping into a combat stance.
The armed guards in the hall remained frozen, caught between their allegiance to Jax and their fear of Victor.
Elena rushed forward, placing herself between the enforcers and her child.
"Father, don't do this!" Elena screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You promised to leave us in peace!"
"Promises are tools for the weak, Elena," Victor replied coldly, not even blinking.
Lily clutched the fabric of Jax’s trousers, crying out in terror as the atmosphere turned deadly.
"Daddy, I'm scared!" Lily sobbed, pulling at his suit.
Jax reached down, scooping Lily into his left arm while keeping his right hand ready to draw his sidearm.
"Don't worry, my sweet girl," Jax whispered softly into her ear. "Daddy won't let anyone hurt you."
One of the enforcers lunged forward, extending a hand to grab Lily’s shoulder.
Jax’s reaction was instantaneous and brutal.
He side-stepped, grabbed the enforcer’s wrist, twisted it until the bone cracked, and drove a vicious elbow into the man’s sternum.
The enforcer collapsed to the marble floor, gasping for air.
The remaining bodyguards drawn their weapons, aiming them directly at Jax.
Red laser sights danced across Jax's chest and forehead.
"Lower your weapons!" Elena shrieked, throwing her hands up in desperation.
Victor remained completely unfazed by the violence.
"Jax, you are a fool," Victor said quietly. "Look around you."
Jax slowly scanned the room, noticing that even his own loyal men were lowering their eyes in shame.
They had families too, and Victor controlled their lives.
"You can't fight an entire syndicate while holding a child," Victor observed with a cruel grin.
"Watch me," Jax hissed, taking a step back toward the exit.
"Wait!" Elena cried out, looking frantically between Jax and her ruthless father.
"Victor, I will do whatever you want!" Elena shouted, sacrificing her own dignity. "I'll return to the family business! I'll sign the assets over!"
Victor raised an eyebrow, clearly interested in her desperate offer.
"Just let Jax take Lily away from here," Elena begged, falling to her knees on the cold floor.
Jax stared at Elena in shock and horror.
"Elena, no! Don't bargain with him!" Jax shouted.
May you like
Victor smirked, pulling a gold pocket watch from his vest.
"An interesting proposal, my dear daughter," Victor murmured. "But I have a better condition."
