He looks down at my hand on his chest before bringing his eyes up to meet mine. His jaw twitches as he reaches up and grips my mouth, pulling my face to his. He blows his foul breath into my face and smiles. “Get the f**k out of my way.” He shoves my face, pushing me out of the way and reaching out for Jax.

“No! Don’t touch my baby,” Jen screams while walking backwards to get away from him. “You’ve had too much to drink. Let me make you some food and take care of you. You look tired, baby.” She reaches her arm out and Nate grabs it, pulling her and Jax into his reach.

“Shut the f**k up and give me my son.”

I start to panic at the thought of Nate hurting little Jax, so I do the only thing I can. I reach for the lamp on the nearby table and swing it into the side of Nate’s head, causing him to fall to the floor.

“Fuck you, Nate!” I reach my arm out for Jen to grab it. “Come on, Jen. We need to get out of here right now.”

We both look down at Nate as Jen rubs the back of Jax’s head to comfort him. “It’s okay baby.”

“You stupid bitch!” Nate reaches up to touch the side of his head and pulls his hand away to see blood. “You just made a huge mistake. Jen, you can thank your friend for what I’m about to do now.”

I push Jen toward the door and we both take off running as Nate scrambles to his feet. Right as we reach the door, he grabs on to the back of my shirt and pulls me backwards hard causing me to land on the ground. Jen stops to check on me and I wave my arm at her to go, while grabbing a hold of Nate’s pant leg. “Get out, dammit! I'm fine.”

Nate leans over me and grips my face in his hands, crushing it between his fingers and spits. “Stay out of Jen’s life. She is mine. I own her.”

The screen door swings open, causing all of us to stop and stare. Nate looks horrified as he looks up at Kellan towering over us.

As soon as I see him standing there, relief floods my body. His fists are clenched at his sides and his eyes are black from the dilation of his pupils as he takes in the sight in front of him. I somehow know he will stop at nothing to protect us. In this moment, I love him for that.

Kellan pushes Nate out of his way, causing him to land on his ass and reaches down to pick me up. His jaw clenches as he looks me in the eye and rubs his hand over my face. His touch is so soft and caring, but protective at the same time. “Are you okay?”

I nod my head and swallow.

“Are you serious?” Nate laughs, but I can tell he’s nervous. “This ass**le again.” He gains his balance back, standing to his feet again.

“Ladies, get outside.” Looking straight at Nate as if he’s about to kill him, Kellan screams, “Now! I will take care of this.”

Jen looks at Nate with tears staining her face before walking outside with me following right behind her. As soon as we’re out the door, she breaks down in more tears. “Oh shit! What is Kellan going to do to him? This is all my fault. I should have told you a long time ago. I was scared. I was so scared.”

I pull her and Jax into my arms and squeeze them close to me in a hug before walking her down the stairs and over to Kellan’s truck. “I’m not even going to stand here and pretend like I’m not mad at you for not telling me. I am furious, trust me.” I take deep breaths, inhaling through my nose while looking out into the empty street. “You could have gotten you and Jax both killed. Do you get that?” My voice comes out harsher than I meant it but it's out of sheer terror. I pull her back into my arms and rub the back of her head. This woman has no idea how broken I would be if something were to happen to her and Jax. I love them to death. They’re my family.

She just nods her head and cries into my arms. She doesn’t say anything and I don’t expect her to. How can she?

Minutes later, the door to the house bursts open to Nate flying to the porch on his face. Kellan steps out behind him and walks over to stand above him. He crouches down next to his head and grabs his chin, pulling back and twisting it to face him. “If you ever put your hands on anyone again you'll regret it. I don’t care if it’s Jen, Phoenix, your child or anyone else. I will f**king kill you. That's a promise. You think I'm bull shitting, just try me and see. I will kill, for my family especially and I don't break a promise.” He stops and yanks his head back further, causing Nate to growl. “Do you f**king hear me, you piece of shit? Your days of abusing women are over!”

Nate spits blood onto the porch but doesn’t respond.

Kellan turns in our direction and raises his chin to us. “Get inside my truck and turn the other way.” His jaw stays clenched as he watches me open the door and push Jen and Jax into the back of the truck before I jump in myself.

Jen’s breathing quickens once I close the door behind us. “Shh! It’s okay.” I try to comfort her as I watch Kellan drag Nate over to his Jeep and throw him into the driver seat. I’m not really sure what is happening, but I can see Kellan leaning into the Jeep as if he’s having some private words with Nate. I shouldn’t be watching, but I can’t pull my eyes away. I see Kellan’s muscles flexing, but I can’t see anything else.

I don’t allow Jen to look up again until Nate’s Jeep is started and he’s hauling ass out of the driveway. I am happier than hell to see Nate gone. The only thing I’m worried about now, is him coming back to hurt them when they're alone.

We stay seated in the truck until Kellan walks over and opens the door for us. He instantly reaches inside and pulls me out, setting me down on my feet. He runs his hands over my face, examining me, while breathing heavily. “Are you hurt? Did that ass**le hurt you?”

I shake my head and force a smile. I hurt a little, but he doesn’t need to know. Right now, my concern is with Jen and Jax. “No, I’m fine.”

He runs his hands over my face one last time before gripping my hair in his hands and leaning in, crushing his lips against mine. He kisses me long and deep before turning his head sideways and pulling away from the kiss. When he does, my heart stops. “Okay, good.”

He exhales before looking past me and walking back over to the open door. Jen is still inside holding Jax while crying. Taking notice of Jen’s bloody nose, he yanks his shirt over his head and grabs a bottle of water out of the front seat, pouring it onto his shirt. “Don’t worry, Jen. I won’t let that piece of shit hurt you again.” He presses his wet shirt to Jen’s face and brushes a piece of hair out of her face. “I can promise you that.”