The night felt like it had dragged on forever as they left the clubhouse. The sounds of the motorcycle engines and the rush of the city night had faded as they made their way back to Dani's apartment. The weight of the day still hung over them, thick and suffocating. The MC meeting had been tense, full of unresolved issues, but for Jax, it was still Dani’s anger and distance that consumed him.
Dani was quiet as they entered the apartment. She walked ahead, her movements stiff, as though she were trying to hold it all together. Her walls were up, and Jax knew it. He had seen her shut herself off before, but this time it felt different. This time, it hurt more.
He closed the door behind them and stood there for a moment, just watching her. He wanted to reach out, to pull her close, but he
