Blood Doesn't Decide (Coalition Training Academy Book 2)

by Stephani Hecht

  “You are such a bastard,” Alvus spat out.

  Reaper cocked his head to the side. “Oh, look. Jax has himself a pretty boy. Isn’t that cute? Your dad would flip out. He already hates you as it is, but once he finds out you’re gay, there’s no going back.”

  “There’s going back, already,” Jax snapped. “Call me bitter, but I’m a little ticked about the bounty he put out on my head. Now, stop playing games. My mom needs help. If you have any idea of where they may have gone, you need to tell me. If you hate me, that’s fine, but don’t let her suffer because of it.”

  “Do you actually think your father would let her come here?” his uncle asked, incredulously. “He hates Mitchell, and he hates you. He would rather see her die than take help from either of you.”

  Jax sighed. He knew he was fighting a losing battle. Even if his uncle did know where Jax’s parents were, there was no way the sleaze ball would tell them. He was getting a kick out of mocking them.

  “You know what? It doesn’t matter,” Jax said in a firm voice. “Mitchell will find my parents on his own. He doesn’t need your help. When he does get them, then my father will be down here with you. Maybe they’ll even put you in the same cell. Then you guys can spend the rest of your miserable lives together.”

  He turned away from the bars then looked at Shane. “Let’s go. He’s not my family. Neither is my father. I don’t want or need them.”

  “You got that right because you have us.” Shane glared at Reaper. “You sure you don’t want me to rip his tongue out?”

  “Nah,” Jax scoffed. “I want him to be able to talk. That way he can really annoy my dad once he’s locked down here too. It will be a fitting punishment for both of them.”

  Shane gave a savage grin. “There you go with that vicious streak again. I’m loving it. See, Dr. North, I can be a good example.”

  Dr. North gave a soft chuckle. “Yeah, who would have thought it? Then again, you’ve done an amazing job raising Ava, so I guess we shouldn’t be surprised at all.”

  Jax walked away from the cell. Not once was he tempted to glance back. As far as he was concerned, he had no uncle. Wait, check that. He had several–Mitchell, Keegan, Logan and Shane. They were his new uncles. They may not be related by blood, but Jax wouldn’t trade any of them away for the world.

  Chapter Ten

  Once they reached the hallway leading to the Academy dorms, the adults waved goodbye to Jax and Alvus. The pair were still holding hands. Alvus had been true to his word and had stood by Jax the entire time. Alvus may not have said much, but he didn’t need to. All that mattered to Jax was the knowledge that his friend had his back.

  They were almost to the dorms when Alvus tugged Jax into a nearby bathroom. For a moment, Jax was surprised, but he allowed himself to be dragged away. There was nobody else in there. Jax guessed that must mean most of the students were either in the lounge or studying.

  “What’s up?” Jax asked, confused.

  Alvus faced Jax. For the longest moment, they just gazed at each other. Then Alvus slowly reached up and ran his finger down Jax’s cheek. Jax froze, not able to speak. His breath hitched in his chest, and he found himself nervously licking his lips. He didn’t dare move for fear that the spell would be broken and Alvus would step away. Jax didn’t want that to happen. In fact, he would do anything to keep that moment going.

  “I just wanted to see if you’re doing okay,” Alvus said as he brushed Jax’s hair from his forehead. “You went through a lot today. First you had Erin manhandling you and then you faced your uncle. Do you need to talk about it? I understand what you’re going through, being scared from the attack, wondering if it will happen again.”

  “Well, then we’ll just have to stick close to each other, so we can protect each other,” Jax suggested.

  “Yeah, I’ll admit it won’t be a hardship to have to be by your hip all the time.”

  Jax nervously swallowed. His throat was so dry he was surprised his voice didn’t croak.

  “That is what friends are for,” Jax said.

  Alvus frowned. “Is that what you think we have here?”

  Jax’s stomach did a nice little flip as the implication of Alvus’ words sank in. Jax could hardly believe it, but Alvus actually seemed to be implying that they were more than just buddies, that they had crossed the shaky bridge from friendship to something so much more.

  “What do you think?” Jax asked, artfully turning the question around.

  “I think that I like holding you at night, and not just because I need the comfort from a pal. I think that I adore the way you smile, the sound of your laughter, the way you move so beautifully when we spar in the training center. I can’t get enough of your touch, your smell.” Alvus stopped then looked down at the ground. “Damn, I’m sounding like some sappy love song or something. I’m making an idiot of myself.”

  Jax reached out then ran his fingers down Alvus’ arm. Just having the freedom to touch Alvus gave Jax a heady thrill. Joy soared through him, making him feel as if he were floating on air. Well, crap. Now he was sounding like a love song too.

  “You’re doing just fine,” Jax said. “Nobody has ever said anything like that to me before. I honestly didn’t think any guy would ever be interested in me, let alone somebody as great as you.”

  Alvus blinked a few times, a look of astonishment crossing his face. “Why would you think that? You are so wonderful, kind, and hot. You have to know that.”

  Jax shook his head. “I’m just the same scrawny, nerdy Lion that I’ve always been.”

  “Stop it,” Alvus admonished. “That’s your father talking. He has you thinking so little of yourself that you have no idea how perfect you are.”

  “I happen to think you’re pretty special too,” Jax replied, his fingers still going up and down Alvus’ arm.

  “He was wrong,” Alvus finally said in a firm voice.

  “Who?” Jax asked.

  “Erin. You don’t belong to him.” Avlus reached out then wrapped his arms around Jax’s waist. “You’re mine. You always have been.”

  Jax opened his mouth to reply, but Alvus jerked him in even closer. Alvus dipped his head down then captured Jax’s lips into a kiss.

  It was so sweet. So tender. So perfect. It was everything Jax had imagined a kiss would be. It was his first one. To know that it was shared with Alvus’ made Jax’s heart sing.

  Alvus began to playfully nip at Jax’s lips. Each pass sent waves of pleasure through Jax. He brought his hands up and rested them on Alvus’ shoulders. He titled his head back farther and let himself get lost in the moment.

  When Alvus finally pulled back, they were both panting for breath. Alvus kept his arms around Jax, keeping him in the warm embrace. Jax let out a happy sigh as he rested his cheek against Avlus’ chest. Jax couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt that happy, relaxed, and so at home. He never wanted it to end.

  “Does this mean we can’t snuggle at night anymore?” Jax asked.

  “No, we’re still sleeping together,” Alvus said as he ran his hand up and down Jax’s back. “We’ll just have to be more careful not to get caught. As soon as Ava and Philip see us they’re going to know we’re together. If they catch us bunking together, too, then things will get messy quick.”

  “Okay.” Jax let out a pent-in breath. He still needed to have Alvus nearby at night so he could chase away the nightmares. “I guess we should get going before somebody walks in on us.”

  “We can in just a moment. I want to savor this for a bit longer.”

  “I can get behind that plan,” Jax agreed.

  He inhaled deeply, relishing the scent of his friend…no make that…boyfriend? Jax liked the sound of that. He liked it a lot.

  But he also knew that once the word got out that they were officially a couple, everything would change. Things were about to get interesting at the Academy, but Jax knew he could handle it. With Alvus by his side, things would work out.

  Jax coul
dn’t help but still worry about his mother. Plus, he still had that damn bounty on his head. Jax closed his eyes then let out a sigh. No, he could worry about all that later.

  He refused to let all that taint what had just happened with Alvus. It was special, and Jax was determined to savor every moment of happiness he could get. Lord knew he was due a break.

  For now, Jax would allow himself to be like any other student—well, one who was also giddy with happiness because of that kiss. Jax smiled to himself. Who knew that a day that had started out so crappy would end with one of the best moments of his life?

  About the Author

  Stephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. Go Wings! You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book or gorging on caffeine at her favorite coffee shop.

  When she’s not running around like crazy, trying to get her kids to their various activities, she’s currently working on numerous projects. Not only is now beginning to self-publish, but she has several series with several publishers. When asked why she works so hard, her answer always remains the same, “Work? I love to write. I just can’t believe that they’re paying me to do this. It’s a dream come true.”

  Visit Stephani on the web at: www.authorstephanihecht.com

  Email her at: stephani@stephanihecht.com