Chapter 8 - UNLIKELY ALLIES

At dawn, thick fog hung low over the dense forest floor.

Jax stood near the window of the cabin, stitching a deep cut on his own forearm with a needle and thread.

He didn't flinch despite the burning pain, his focus completely consumed by the battle ahead.

Suddenly, the faint sound of a twig snapping sounded outside the cabin.

Jax instantly dropped the needle, grabbed his pistol, and pressed himself flat against the wall beside the door.

He waited, listening carefully to the rhythm of the footsteps outside.

It was just one person, moving slowly and awkwardly.

The door handle jiggled slightly, and the wooden door creaked open.

A tall figure stepped across the threshold, holding a blood-stained sidearm.

Before the intruder could raise their weapon, Jax slammed the door shut, grabbed the person by the throat, and pinned them hard against the wall.

He pressed the muzzle of his gun directly under the intruder's chin.

"Give me one good reason not to blow your head off right now," Jax hissed.

The intruder coughed violently, gasping for air.

"Jax... wait... it's me!" a woman's raspy voice choked out.

Jax squinted through the dim light, recognizing the blood-soaked face before him.

It was Sophia, Elena’s personal bodyguard and loyal confidante.

Jax slowly lowered his weapon, releasing his grip on her throat.

Sophia slid down the wall, clutching her bleeding abdomen where a gunshot wound oozed crimson blood.

"Sophia? How did you find us?" Jax asked, quickly grabbing a clean towel to press against her wound.

"Elena... Elena gave me your safehouse coordinates before they dragged her away," Sophia panted, gritting her teeth in agony.

"She knew Marcus was going to betray you."

"Why didn't she tell me sooner?" Jax demanded.

"Marcus had a gun to her back the entire time you were in the ballroom!" Sophia revealed, coughing up blood.

"Elena acted to save your life, Jax! She forced you to leave so you could get Lily out of there!"

Jax stood frozen, a wave of profound guilt washing over his entire soul.

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Elena hadn't given up on them.

She had intentionally sacrificed herself to buy them time to escape.