The weight of their plan hung heavily in the air, a tangible presence that neither Ava nor Jaxon could ignore. They spent the next few hours meticulously going over every detail, mapping out possible scenarios, and anticipating Veronica's moves. The tension between them was palpable, but so was their determination. They were in this together, and there was no turning back.
As the clock edged closer to midnight, Jaxon finally pushed back from the table, his face etched with exhaustion. "We've done all we can for now," he said, his voice thick with fatigue. "You should get some rest, Ava."
Ava looked up from the notes she had been poring over, her eyes lingering on Jaxon's tired features. He was pushing himself too hard, she could see that, but she also knew there was no convincing him to slow down. Not with so much at stake.
"Only if you promise to rest too," she replied, her tone soft but firm. "You can't afford to burn out, Jaxon. We need you sharp."
Jaxon gave her a wry smile, the corners of his mouth lifting just slightly. "You're right," he admitted. "But it's hard to switch off when every minute feels like it could be the one that changes everything."
Ava stood up and walked over to him, resting her hands on his shoulders. "I know. But we're in this for the long haul. You have to take care of yourself, or you won't be any good to anyone."
Jaxon's smile faded into something more genuine, more appreciative. He reached up, covering her hand with his. "You always know just what to say."
Ava squeezed his shoulder gently. "Come on. Let's call it a night."
They shut down their makeshift command center, the adrenaline that had fueled them for hours slowly dissipating. As they made their way to the bedroom, the silence between them was comfortable, filled with a mutual understanding of the path they were on.
Ava changed into something more comfortable while Jaxon pulled off his shirt, the taut muscles of his back rippling as he moved. She couldn't help but admire him, the way his body was both a testament to his strength and a reminder of the burdens he carried. There was something raw and primal about the way he moved, something that drew her in even when she was exhausted.
When they finally settled into bed, Ava found herself lying awake, staring at the ceiling. The darkness around them was thick, pressing in on her, but it was Jaxon's presence beside her that kept the fear at bay. She turned on her side, facing him, and was surprised to find him watching her.
"Can't sleep?" he asked, his voice a low murmur in the dark.
"Not really," she admitted. "Too much on my mind."
Jaxon shifted closer, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against him. His warmth seeped into her, grounding her in the moment. "You're not alone, Ava," he said quietly. "We'll get through this. I promise."
Ava closed her eyes, letting herself be lulled by the steady rhythm of his breathing. But just as she was about to drift off, the shrill ring of Jaxon's phone shattered the quiet. Her eyes flew open, and she felt Jaxon tense beside her.
"Who the hell could that be at this hour?" he muttered, reaching for the phone on the nightstand.
Ava watched as Jaxon's expression hardened when he saw the caller ID. Without a word, he answered the call, his voice cold and controlled. "What is it?"
Ava couldn't make out the other person's words, but the tone was unmistakably urgent. Jaxon listened for a few seconds before his eyes flicked to hers, a silent warning passing between them.
"I'll be right there," he said before ending the call. He swung his legs out of bed and began dressing quickly, his movements sharp and precise.
"What's going on?" Ava asked, sitting up, her heart pounding.
Jaxon pulled on his shirt, his jaw clenched. "Something's come up. I need to handle it."
"At this hour? It must be serious."
Jaxon met her gaze, his eyes unreadable. "It is. But it's something I need to deal with alone."
Ava felt a pang of unease. "Jaxon, if this is about Veronica..."
"It's not," he cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But it's connected. I need to keep this contained. I can't risk dragging you into it."
Ava wanted to protest, to insist on going with him, but she knew Jaxon well enough to recognize when he had made up his mind. "Be careful," she said instead, her voice laced with concern.
Jaxon leaned down, pressing a quick, hard kiss to her lips. "I will. I'll be back before you know it."
Ava watched as he strode out of the room, the sense of foreboding deepening in her gut. She trusted Jaxon, but the fact that he was keeping something from her especially now made her uneasy. Something was happening, something that went beyond Veronica and the plans they had made. And whatever it was, Jaxon was walking straight into the heart of it.
Left alone in the silence, Ava tried to push the worry from her mind, but it gnawed at her, refusing to be ignored. The darkness of the room seemed to close in around her, thick and suffocating. She turned over, clutching the pillow in Jaxon's place, willing herself to believe that everything would be fine.
But as the minutes ticked by, the unease only grew. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that Jaxon was facing something far more dangerous than he was letting on. And as much as she wanted to respect his need to handle it alone, a part of her knew that she couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
With a heavy heart, Ava reached for her phone. She hesitated for a moment, then typed out a message to Caleb.
"Something's wrong. Jaxon's gone. I need your help."
She stared at the screen, her finger hovering over the send button. Part of her felt like she was betraying Jaxon's trust, but another part of her the part that knew how dangerous his world could be pushed her to do it. She needed Caleb's help, needed someone she could trust to watch her back.
With a deep breath, Ava hit send.
The moment she did, she felt a weight lift from her chest, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever was happening, she wouldn't face it alone. She couldn't afford to.
She lay back down, her heart still pounding in her chest, and stared up at the ceiling. The path ahead was uncertain, and she knew that the decisions she made in the coming hours could change everything. But for now, she had to focus on the present, on the choices she could control.
Jaxon had gone into the fire, and Ava knew she would follow him if necessary. Whatever it took, she would be there. The storm was closing in, but she was ready to face it head-on, with everything she had.