The Unseen Face

Jax stared at Romano, his body aching from the fight, his ribs throbbing with every shallow breath. The crime boss sat across from him, calm and confident, sipping his whiskey like nothing had changed.

But everything had changed. Jax had won a fight he wasn't supposed to win. And now, he was paying the price.

Mason stood beside him, tense, fists clenched. He knew, just like Jax did, that they were walking a razor's edge. Romano leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Let's make this simple, Mercer. You fight for me, and your little stunt tonight? Forgotten."

Jax clenched his jaw. "And if I say no?" Romano's smile didn't fade. "Then we have a problem." Silence. Jax could feel the weight of every set of eyes in the room. Romano's men were ready. One wrong move and this wouldn't end in words.

Mason took a step closer. "You expect him to just bow down to you?"Romano turned his gaze to Mason. "I expect him to be smart."

He looked back at Jax, his expression hardening. "You don't win against me, Mercer. Not in the ring, not in life. You either work for me or you disappear."

Jax exhaled slowly. He had known this was coming. Romano wasn't a man who let things slide. Winning had made Jax more valuable—but also more dangerous.

Romano wasn't offering a deal. He was making a threat. Nowhere to run. Jax knew there was no easy way out.

If he agreed, he'd be trapped—fighting for a man who controlled everything. Romano would own him. If he refused?

Romano wouldn't just let him walk away. Mason's voice was low, urgent. "Jax, we need to go." Jax didn't move.

Romano's smirk widened. "Go where exactly?" He gestured lazily. "You think you can run? You think there's a place I can't reach?" He shook his head. "Be serious."

Jax's stomach turned. Romano was right. He had men everywhere. Contacts in every part of the city. There was no hiding.

But that didn't mean Jax was going to roll over. He met Romano's gaze. "I don't work for anyone." Romano chuckled. "Oh, Mercer. You still think you have a choice."

He snapped his fingers. The two men behind Jax moved. One grabbed Mason, shoving him against the wall. The other seized Jax's injured arm, twisting it behind his back.

Pain shot through his ribs. Jax gritted his teeth. Romano stood slowly, adjusting his cufflinks. "You need a reminder of who's in charge?" Jax didn't answer. So Romano nodded.

And the first punch landed. Pain exploded through Jax's ribs as the enforcer's fist crashed into his side. He staggered, but the man held him up—just to hit him again.

Mason struggled against the second guy, yelling. "Get your damn hands off him!" Romano ignored him, watching Jax with cold amusement. "You're strong, Mercer. I'll give you that."

Jax coughed, blood dripping onto the floor. "But strength without loyalty?" Romano sighed. "That's just wasted potential."

He nodded again. Another punch—this time to Jax's stomach. Jax choked, his legs buckling. His body was already wrecked from the fight with Vargas. This? This was punishment.

Mason thrashed against the grip holding him, rage and fear in his eyes. "Romano, stop this! You made your damn point!" Romano tilted his head. "Did I?"

He gestured, and his enforcer drove a knee into Jax's ribs. Jax let out a sharp grunt, collapsing to the floor. Mason shouted, trying to break free. "You son of a—" Romano held up a hand, and his men finally stepped back.

Jax lay on the floor, breathing hard, pain radiating through every nerve in his body. He could barely move. Romano crouched beside him, voice eerily calm. "I don't enjoy this, Mercer. But I need you to understand."

He leaned closer. "You are mine." Jax's vision blurred. His body was giving up—but his mind wasn't. Romano stood. "I'll give you one night to think it over."

He straightened his jacket. "Come to me tomorrow, and we'll make this official. If you don't…" His smirk returned. "Well. You won't like the alternative."

He turned to his men. "Let them go." Mason rushed forward, dropping to Jax's side. "Jax. Talk to me." Jax forced his lips into a bloody smirk. "That all you got?"

Mason let out a shaky breath. "Dumbass." Romano chuckled. "I like your spirit, Mercer. I really do." He stepped back, nodding to his men.

"See you soon." Then he was gone. Mason helped Jax to his feet, supporting most of his weight. "We need to get the hell out of here," Mason muttered, half-carrying Jax toward the exit. "Before they change their minds."

Jax could barely walk. His body was breaking down, and Romano had made it clear—this was just the beginning. They stumbled into the alley outside, the cold air hitting Jax like a slap.

Mason dragged him to the car, shoving the door open. "Sit. Don't argue." Jax didn't have the energy to fight him.

Mason started the engine, gripping the wheel with white-knuckled tension. "We're leaving. We're getting out of this city." Jax swallowed hard, trying to push through the pain. "We can't run."

Mason shot him a glare. "We don't have another choice." Jax exhaled. Yes, they did. They could fight back. Jax closed his eyes, his mind racing.

Romano thought he had already won. He thought Jax was just another fighter he could control, another piece in his game. But Jax had spent his entire life fighting.

And he wasn't about to stop now. He turned to Mason, his voice rough but certain. "We're not running." Mason frowned. "Then what the hell are we doing?" Jax wiped blood from his mouth, his eyes dark with determination. "We're taking Romano down."