Jaxson Read Free

tight as he rotated, forcing Sione off-balance. Then Jax formed a fist with his free hand, aimed at Sione’s exposed ribs . One … two … t hree rocket jabs into his rib cage ! The third time it made a sick, wet , meaty crunch . He rotated before Sione could even fully register what was going on, and threw him over his body in a flying mare .
    Sione landed flat on his back with a WHUMP . His fist was still trapped inside the crook of the injured arm as Jax dropped to a knee and twisted, taking Sione's arm with him . There was a vicious CRACK and a ripping sound that made her eyes water all over again.
    The young man screamed in agony, his arm and shoulder pointing in the wrong direction , with an extra bend in it that hadn't been there before.
    Looking over his should er at the trainer holding a phone, Jax spoke once more . "Call the police and an ambulance . Stupid here is gonna need it."
    He looked back down at Sione lying on the ground , mewling softly and crying through the pain .
    "I'm gonna kill you , " Sione gasped.
    Jax didn’t respond at first. Reaching up with his right hand, he pulled the switchblade out of his arm. Blood coated the blade in a dirty red film as a dark patch started to grow on the sleeve of his sweater “You’re supposed to twist the blade as it goes in, that way it doesn’t bind on bone or muscle.”
    He looked down at Sione as if speaking to an ignorant child.
    “And never buy cheap. Not when lives are in the balance.” A flick of his wrist sent the knife flying through the air. It hit the wall, blade shattering against the concrete like cheap glass.
    Jax squatted down beside him, pulling his arm out of the sleeve of the sweater . He rotated it in front of Sione's face, displaying intricate Polynesian tattoos etched into the skin of his massive bicep . Sione's eyes went wide . Jax noticed this and commented , "So you recognize 'em?"
    Sione swallowed hard.
    "Know what they mean , boy?"
    A nod . Whatever those tattoos indicated, it was not something Sione wanted to mess with. Kehau had to agree too.
    "No matter where you go, I got family on both sides of the bars." He grabbed Sione by the ear, yanking his head around to lock eyes with him once more . "So, anytime you think you're feeling lucky, go ahead and make my day."
    "I'm won’t do anything , " Sione stuttered through trembling lips.
    "You're damned right , " Jax snarled . He stepped back and Sione stayed quiet un til the police arrived.
    One of the gym's trainers had given Kehau a bag of ice for her swelling cheek and she held it there, slowly taking away the burn and the sting. Hopefully it could negate some of the bruise . Jax answered questions from a police officer in a voice almost too quiet for her to hear . At length, the cop seemed satisfied with what he was being told and told Jax to have a good day . The officer approached her politely .
    "Ma'am, we've taken statements and pulled the surveillance footage as well . That boy’s going down for a while , if you want to press charges."
    "Yes . I don't want to be hurt again."
    "Good for you . We'll have detectives in touch with you later this week." He handed her a business card with his name on it.
    She smiled through the pain . "Thank you . What's his name?" As she nodded toward where Jax was having his arm looked over by a paramedic . He'd told Sione “Jax”, but she was hoping to get his full name.
    "Jaxson Kuznia . Your ex picked a bad man to start a fight with." He threw a thumb toward the barely-sweating man-machine on the bench . "Dealt with guys like him before . Pissing them off is stupid . Sione’s lucky he didn't get killed."
    She considered mentioning the tattoos, then thought better of it . Some things stay between God and the A ngels.
    At length, the police and ambulance left . Kehau walked over to where Jax was flexing his arm .
    "Hi."
    He looked at her, then stood up languidly .
    "You okay?" h e asked.
    "Sort of , " she said absently as she checked him