“If he went to the Academy, then why wasn’t he a soldier? Did something happen?” Jax asked.
“He flunked out,” Mitchell said.
“He couldn’t handle the physical part?” Jax pressed.
“No, he was a crappy student. He got caught cheating on a test, and they booted him. He’s been bitter ever since,” Mitchell said.
“So, that’s why he hated the Coalition,” Jax surmised. “It all makes sense now. I still don’t know why he’d go as far as trying to murder his own son, though.”
“He was jealous of you,” Andrew said. “You’re everything he ever wanted to be.”
Jax looked down at his hands. It was just so much to take in. He’d already been floored by the whole “my dad hired an Assassin” thing. Now that there was other stuff piled on, Jax honestly didn’t know how to feel. He knew that he should be angry or that he should want revenge, yet all he felt was a sad emptiness.
“Where’s Ava? Can I see her?” he asked.
She was the only normal he had left. Sure, he had his friends from the Academy, but he’d only known them a short time. Ava had been by his side for years, and Jax desperately needed her at that moment.
“I’ll go get her. From all the shouting I’ve been hearing, she wants to see you, too,” Andrew said.
He got up then left the room. For a moment, an awkward silence fell over Jax and Mitchell. Jax couldn’t even bring himself to meet the leader’s gaze. Lord knew what Mitchell must think of him. Mitchell was probably wondering if Jax was as messed up as his father. Or worse, he questioned whether Jax was some kind of awful kid to have his dad hate him so much he actually wished him dead.
“Look at me,” Mitchell ordered.
It was one of the hardest things Jax had ever done, but he obeyed. He fully expected to see pity or anger in Mitchell expression. Neither were there. All Jax saw were warm, friendly eyes and a smile.
“You have a new family now. We will always be here for you, and we won’t let you down. I vow this to you,” Mitchell said. “Your father is a fool. He should be proud to have a son like you. Any parent would be so happy to have you as their own. This is his loss, but our gain.”
“You really mean that?” Jax asked, a huge lump in his throat.
“Yes, I do. I, also, promise that we’ll find your father and he’ll pay for what he did. Nobody messes with those that I care about.”
“What about my mother?”
Jax knew it was foolish of him, but he still loved her. Maybe that made him the fool, but it couldn’t be helped.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, I want you to concentrate on getting better. You still have a lot of training ahead of you, although after today, I can tell you show great promise. You’re going to make an amazing soldier.”
For the first time ever Jax actually believed it. He had managed to hold off an Assassin and had managed to get help. What’s more, he’d managed to save Alvus. Being small hadn’t stopped him from doing any of that. Someday, Jax knew he would be just as kickass as Andrew.
“Thank you,” Jax said.
That time he had no trouble at all meeting Mitchell’s gaze.
“Oh, my God! You’re alive,” Ava called.
She rushed over and threw her arms around Jax. It hurt a bit when she made contact, but he held back his wince of pain. Instead, he returned the hug. He held her tight, breathing in her scent. It was so familiar to him and represented safety. He knew that he wouldn’t be letting her leave anytime soon.
“They said I’m going to be okay. Have you talked to Alvus?” he asked.
She pulled back. “Yeah, he’s really ticked the Assassin got the drop on him. He thinks that he let you down.”
“He didn’t. Tell him,” Jax urged.
“You can tell him yourself,” Mitchell said. “They’re moving you to the same room as him. I just wanted to be able to talk to you privately first.”
“I appreciate it,” Jax said. “And I mean for everything.”
“You may not say that once you start training again. You still have a long road ahead of you,” Mitchell warned.
Jax knew it was true, but he would have both old and new friends by his side. Plus, he no longer doubted himself.
“I can’t wait,” he replied.
Until that moment, he would rest up, keep Ava by his side, and try his best to get over his wounds. Someday, Jax would be facing his father again. He was determined to be ready.
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: [email protected]
Jax's Rebellion (Coalition Training Academy #1) Page 8
