Chapter 14

Maya’s Pov

"Just one night, Maya, please?" Ava’s voice was full of hope, her eyes wide as she gripped my sleeve. "It’s just a small gathering at a friend’s place. No drama, no Worth family, no engineering stress. Just music and normal college students. You need this."

I hesitated. I had spent so much time looking over my shoulder lately that the idea of a normal night sounded like a dream. But the second I even thought about stepping out without Jax’s approval, a wall of anxiety rose up. I walked into the living room where Jax was sitting, looking cool and detached as he scrolled through a tablet.

"I’m going to a student party with Ava," I said, my voice firmer than I felt.

Jax didn’t even look up at first. "No. It’s too dangerous. You stay here."

I felt the familiar heat of anger flare in my chest. I marched over and stood right in front of him. "I am not your daughter, and I am definitely not your property. I am going."

He looked up then, his dark eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. The air in the room grew heavy with his silent, terrifying authority. "You are naive, Maya. You have no idea who is out there watching you. I won’t let you walk into a target zone."

"I am living my life, Jax," I snapped, crossing my arms. "Either you let me go, or I walk out that door right now and you can try to stop me."

We locked eyes, and for a long moment, the tension felt like it could snap the windows right out of their frames. Finally, he let out a frustrated, low growl and tossed his tablet onto the sofa. "Fine. Go. But don't expect me to be happy about it."

He didn't mention that he’d have his security detail watching from the shadows, but I could feel his presence looming over me even as I left.

The party was exactly what I needed—loud music, dim lights, and people who didn’t care about corporate contracts or family legacies. Ava led me to a group near the snacks, where I was quickly introduced to Saige Higgins. Saige was a star basketball player with a warm, easy smile and a grounded vibe that put me at ease immediately.

"So, you’re the one everyone is whispering about?" Saige asked with a wink, handing me a drink. "I heard you embarrassed the entire engineering department this week. That’s legendary."

I laughed, feeling genuinely light for the first time in forever. "It wasn't that big a deal. Just basic physics."

"Basic to you, maybe," Saige replied, leaning in to hear me over the music. "I love fixing up old cars in my spare time, but I’ve never seen anyone handle those hydraulic problems like you did. How did you get so good at it?"

For the next hour, Saige and I sat in a corner, talking about engine parts, torque, and the sheer joy of hearing a machine roar to life. It felt wonderful to talk to someone who didn't look at me like a project or a threat.

But suddenly, the mood in the room shifted. A ripple of nervous energy moved through the crowd near the entrance, and the music seemed to drop an octave. I looked over and saw him. Jax was standing by the door, wearing a sharp suit that made him look like he belonged in a boardroom, not a student house. His face was a mask of cold fury.

He didn't say a word as he scanned the room, but the moment his eyes landed on Saige and me, his expression darkened even more. He moved through the crowd like a predator, parting the sea of students who scrambled to get out of his way.

"Jax?" I stood up, irritated and shocked. "What are you doing here?"

He didn't answer my question. Instead, he stopped right in front of us, his gaze locking onto Saige. There was something so raw and intense about the way he looked at the basketball player—it wasn't just protective; it was territorial. He looked like he wanted to pick Saige up and throw him through the wall.

"We’re leaving," Jax said, his voice clipped and freezing.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said, stepping between them. "I’m having a conversation."

Jax looked down at me, his eyes burning with a mix of frustration and something that looked suspiciously like raw, unmasked jealousy. "This conversation is over."

Saige stood up, looking between us, clearly confused but not wanting to back down. "Hey, man, she’s just talking to me. Relax."

Jax stepped forward, invading Saige’s space. He didn't raise his voice, but the threat was clear. "I suggest you find something else to do, Higgins."

The tension was so thick I could barely breathe. I looked at Jax, really looked at him, and for the first time, it clicked. He wasn't just being a "protector" or a "jailer." He was genuinely jealous. He couldn't stand the idea of me talking to another guy, of me finding happiness with someone who didn't have his name or his dark baggage.

I was annoyed, but deep down, a traitorous part of me felt a rush of adrenaline. He was possessive. He was spiraling. And he didn't care who saw it.

"I’m going home with Ava," I said, putting my hand on Jax’s chest to keep him from stepping closer to Saige. "You can follow us if you want, but I’m not playing your games tonight."

Jax stared at me, his chest rising and falling. His jaw was so tight I thought it might crack. He seemed caught between wanting to drag me out by the arm and wanting to stay and make sure no one else even looked at me.

"Fine," he ground out, turning around and walking toward the door without another word.

I turned back to Saige, feeling embarrassed and breathless. "I'm so sorry. He’s... he’s complicated."

Saige gave me a sympathetic, lopsided grin. "Complicated is an understatement. That guy looks like he’s ready to start a war over a simple chat. You okay, Maya?"

"I think so," I said, though my hands were shaking.

I didn't tell him that for the first time since this nightmare started, I felt powerful. Jax was losing his grip, and I was starting to see that I had more control over him than he’d ever admit. As I walked out into the cool night air, I felt his eyes on me the whole way. He was waiting in the shadows of the parking lot, his silhouette dark against the city lights.

He was watching me. He was jealous. And I knew, with a certainty that made my head spin, that this was only the beginning of our real fight. I didn't know where it would end, but as I got into the car, I realized I didn't want to be anywhere else. I was scared, I was frustrated, and I was caught in his web—but I was the one pulling the strings now, and the game had just become much more dangerous.