Page 91 of Jax & Knox

"Knew what?" I ask.

"That you were special. That you mattered to them." She opens her arms. "Can I give you a hug? A real one this time?"

This time, I don't hesitate. I step into her embrace, and it's warm and soft and maternal in a way I've never experienced. She smells like vanilla and comfort, and when she holds me, something inside me cracks open.

"I'm Bella," she says, pulling back to look at me. Her hands are still on my shoulders, and her eyes are shining with genuine warmth. "And I am so happy to finally meet you properly."

"You… you are?" I stammer, my voice cracking.

"Of course I am!" she says, laughing. "My boys have been talking about you nonstop. And this little angel must be Owen."

She reaches out and gently touches Owen's cheek. He giggles and leans into her touch, and something inside me cracks wide open.

"He's beautiful," Bella says, her voice soft. "Just beautiful."

"Thank you," I whisper, tears threatening to spill over.

"Come on," she says, looping her arm through mine. "Everyone's inside. They're dying to meet you."

The inside of the house is just as warm and inviting as the outside.

There are family photos lining the walls, pictures of Jax and Knox as kids, pictures of Bella and a man I assume is Switch, pictures of what looks like family gatherings and holidays. The living room has a massive sectional couch, and the smell of something delicious is wafting from the kitchen.

It smells like home.

"Switch! They're here!" Bella calls.

A man steps out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel.

He's tall, taller than Jax and Knox, with broad shoulders and a presence that commands attention. His dark hair is streaked with gray, and his eyes are sharp and assessing.

This is Switch. The MC Treasurer. The man who helped build the Iron Reapers from the ground up.

And he's looking right at me.

My heart pounds in my chest, and I have to fight the urge to take a step back.

"So this is her," he says, his voice deep and gruff.

I swallow hard. "Yes, sir."

He raises an eyebrow. "Sir? What am I, a drill sergeant?"

"I… I didn't mean⁠.”

He laughs, a deep, booming sound that fills the room. "Relax, kid. I'm just messing with you."

He steps forward and extends his hand. "Switch Carter. It's good to finally meet you."

I shake his hand, and his grip is firm but not crushing. "It's good to meet you too," I say quietly.

He looks over at Jax and Knox, then back at me. "My boys have been different since they met you. In a good way."

"They have?" I ask, surprised.

"Oh yeah," he says, grinning. "Used to be they couldn't commit to the same bar for a weekend. Now look at 'em. Settled down with a woman and a kid. Never thought I'd see the day."

"Dad," Jax groans.