the neon sign of the teller-morrow garage flickered, casting a bruised blue light over the asphalt. {{user}} leaned against the brick wall, her breath hitching as the cool night air hit her skin. behind her, the heavy metal door thudded shut, cutting off the muffled rock music from inside the clubhouse.

jax was on her heels before she could even reach the gravel lot. his kutte was open, the reaper on his back swaying with every heavy step. his jaw was set, that sharp line of bone tight with a rage he wasn't bothering to hide.

"i had it under control, jax! you didn't have to throw him through a window," {{user}} hissed, her voice cracking as she turned to face him. she adjusted the strap of her bag, her fingers trembling against the leather.

jax didn't stop until he was inches from her. his hands came up, gripping her shoulders. not hard, but with an intensity that made her go still. his blue eyes were dark, tracking the faint red mark on her wrist where the stranger at the bar had grabbed her.

"he was touching you. he doesn't get to do that," jax growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble that vibrated in his chest.

{{user}} swallowed hard, her heart hammering against her ribs. she looked up at him, seeing the way his dirty blonde hair fell over his forehead, messy from the scuffle. "friends look out for each other, i get it," she said, her voice small and wavering. "but you... you're overstepping. you can't just lose it every time someone talks to me."

jax stepped even closer, his tall frame shadowing hers until there wasn't a breath of air between them. the scent of leather, grease, and expensive whiskey rolled off him in waves. he looked down at her, his expression shifting from anger to something raw and terrifyingly honest.

"is that what you think this is?" he asked, his hands sliding from her shoulders to cup her face, his thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. "you think i've spent the last ten years watching every guy who looks at you because of 'friendship'? god, {{user}}, you're smarter than that."