“Old men?” Jameson asked.
“You’re robbing the cradle with that one,” Gunner added then took a slug of beer.
“Fuck you. We could say the same for you three and Gia. What is she, like twenty-one?”
“Twenty-four,” Garrett replied as he glanced toward where Gia and Mariana sat talking to one another.
Jax was relieved that she felt comfortable here. She was quiet and untrusting.
“Gia and Mariana are the same age,” Jameson said.
“Exactly and Jax is what, like forty?” Gunner teased.
“Go to hell. I can still whip your ass,” Jax said very seriously. He knew his friends were teasing, and truth was, Jax felt really relaxed being here. Casper’s had an atmosphere that reminded him of good times, close friends, and family.
“I can still shoot better than you,” Gunner replied.
“Don’t let your name go to your head. You’re not the best shot around here. I am and always will be,” Jax stated.
“Think again, bro. I’ve got you all beat,” Jameson added this time, and they all laughed.
“Sounds like a challenge to me,” Wes said.
“You’re on, Jameson and Jax. We can hit the shooting range tomorrow and see,” Gunner stated.
“All bets are on,” Wes said, and they starting carrying on until Jax noticed Mariana and Gia coming toward the table. Gia walked over toward her men, and Garrett grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap. Jameson did the same to Mariana as he lifted her up and wrapped his arms around her tight. Jax couldn’t help but smile at her as he placed his hand on her knee.
“If it’s okay with you and Jameson, Jax, I’d like to pick Mariana up tomorrow around ten and bring her to the dojo. I’m helping to run a training class there. Then we can grab a light lunch.”
“That sounds like a great idea. While you two young ladies are at the dojo, we’re going to the shooting range to solve a little misunderstanding,” Garrett said as he emphasized the word “young.” Jax and Jameson shook their heads and chuckled.
“What misunderstanding?” Gia asked.
“Don’t worry, baby, I have to put these men in their place and prove to them that I’m still the best shot out of all of them,” Gunner said as he leaned back in his chair, appearing confident and cocky.
“Not going to happen. You’ll see,” Jameson added then kissed Mariana’s shoulder. Jax smiled to himself. He could get used to this. Relaxing with old friends, seeing Mariana look content with hopefully a new friend, and living out in the country and away from the chaos and aggravation. With thoughts of the city came concerns over the company and over Mariana’s safety. Perhaps learning a few self-defense moves or some martial arts wasn’t such a bad idea for Mariana after all. His chest tightened at the thought. He and his brother were her protectors now. No one would ever hurt her again.
Chapter 13
I’m not sure about this,” Mariana said as she attempted to get out from under Shane, a friend of Gia’s and Sensei Lee’s. She was definitely in a precarious position as they all attempted to teach Mariana self-defense moves.
“Just keep the pressure on his ribs. Tire him out. Then when you have the opportunity, you strike,” Sensei stated.
“Gunny, don’t!” Mariana heard Gia yell and as she glanced behind her, she saw Gunny taking a picture of her.
Mariana felt her cheeks warm even now, in the shower. After listening to Shane and Duke tell her stories about Jax and Jameson, she felt kind of guilty. Not like she intended to end up in a middle of a self-defense training session. She had a feeling Gia wanted her to learn a few moves. It must have had something to do with her past. Jax and Jameson mentioned how Gia had been attacked and defended herself.
Mariana was having a fun time the last few days. She had to admit, despite the little Shane incident, she was impressed at the dojo with Gia and Sensei Lee. She met Duke and Shane, who initially hit on her until finding out from Gia that she was taken. Then of course the guys told her stories about Jameson and Jax that had her rolling with laughter.
Then they mentioned the friends that were lost during their time in the Marines and about how Jameson and Jax saved a lot of fellow soldiers’ lives.
“You should hear the way the men still talk about Jax and Jameson. Those guys talk about how they thought their lives were over. A group of seven men, all injured, all caught in the middle of a fierce fight on the ground in Afghanistan,” Duke had begun to say and then shook his head and closed his eyes as if he remembered the other soldiers’ recollection of events so vividly himself.
Then Shane continued telling the story.
“Jax and Jameson came out of nowhere. The guys said all they could see was smoke, and all they could hear were rounds and rounds of gunfire, when Jameson and Jax emerged from the smoke like two angels to the rescue. Those two men are brave. They’re special.” She had felt the tears in her eyes right then, just as she felt now, recalling the emotion Shane and Duke expressed.
Then of course they started telling her she should be with Shane and Duke.