Perfect Illusion (Perfect 1)

THIRTY-ONE

Jax stumbles back from the blow, red splotching his face, but he’s unfazed by the pain. If anything, he seems to relish it.

With a yell Kayden charges straight for Jax, his eyes blazing with unbridled fury. His tackle connects, sending them crashing through the exit door, both of them now scrambling on damp grass. Jax’s smile is savage as he struggles for control, enjoying the challenge.

Sienna, do something! my mind screams at me.

Kayden is on top now, raining punch after punch down on Jax, adrenaline and rage coalescing in his blows.

I’ve never seen him look this enraged before. His eyes are narrowed into deadly slits, his fists ramming into thick flesh and bone with deafening, shuddering force.

Isn’t this what I’ve been training him to do this whole time? To beat Jax? And he’s actually doing it. He’s winning this fight.

And yet, it feels wrong.

The mental tug of war between what I want to do and what I should do is a nail-biting, gripping match. Dosomething, goddammit! The rational part of my brain jabs at me again. Break up that fight before either of them regret it!

But my legs are still glued to the ground.

Jax grabs a handful of dirt and grass and smashes it at Kayden’s face, using that as a distraction as he scrambles away and lands a brutal roundhouse, slamming straight across Kayden’s jaw.

The force sends him crashing backwards, straight into the reception tent.

Kayden spits out a mouthful of blood, his eyes viper-focused on my ex-boyfriend, barely aware of his surroundings. Jax taunts him, moving his right leg behind him and launching into a front kick. But Kayden, already anticipating it, catches his leg and turns it into a takedown, forcing Jax to lose his balance and ram into the reception table, sending champagne glasses and plates shattering everywhere.

Glass shards crunch under Kayden’s feet as he steps over to his opponent, once again on the floor. He brings his fist up for one more blow, but Jax throws an upkick into Kayden’s chin, sending him to the ground.

“What the hell is going on?” Alyson yells, appalled at the mess both guys have created.

Jax ignores her. Just as Kayden struggles to get back on his feet, Jax snatches a flower vase off one of the tables and smashes it against Kayden’s head, the water mixing with the blood from his split lip. Then Jax grabs hold of him, digging his thumbs into Kayden’s eyes.

Kayden struggles under him, roaring in pain, his hands reaching for anything that will help him get out of Jax’s grasp.

His hand closes over one of the broken shards of the vase and he slashes at Jax’s face. Jax immediately releases Kayden and doubles over, hands going to his own face as he feels the blood dripping from the nasty cut searing his check.

Kayden scrambles to his feet and in almost the same breath hooks his arm around Jax’s throat, stepping behind him and pulling him into a rear naked choke.

“You gonna kill me now?” Jax spits out in a gurgling fashion. Blood and saliva curdle in his mouth. “I think I might just let you. Show Sienna who you really are: a true killer.”

Kayden’s bloodshot eyes bulge out at Jax’s words. And Jax, despite choking to near unconsciousness, still manages to muster a smug grin, knowing all too well that he’s got Kayden exactly where he wants him.

Kayden lets go abruptly, immediately diving to his feet.

He stares at the mess he’s created all around him. The ruined reception tent. The shards of champagne glasses scattered across the floor. The seventy or so guests looking at him with shock and disappointment.

Guilt immediately overcomes me. This is all my fault.

And now the wedding is ruined.

“Thanks for showing me your hand, Killer,” Jax says with a bone-chilling, bloodied smile. “Looking forward to our fight tomorrow.”

Kayden—realizing exactly what just happened—looks at me, face contorting in absolute horror.

My eyes flutter closed in defeat. I can’t believe it. Jax got us good. Set the trap up perfectly and we fell right into it, thinking that we had the upper hand.

“I’m really sorry,” Kayden blurts, dipping his head humbly at Alyson and my dad, before scrambling out of the tent.

My head whips in Beth’s direction, who’s helping Jax to his feet.