The plan

Jax had spent his entire life-fighting. Fighting to survive. Fighting for the next payday. Fighting because it was the only thing he knew how to do.

But this time? This wasn't just a fight. This was a message. If he stepped into the ring and played by Romano's rules, he was owned. If he threw the fight, he was dead. But if he went down on his terms if he took Vargas apart in front of everyone, he could make sure Romano never controlled him—or anyone else—again. And that meant playing a game bigger than fists and blood.

The gym was empty except for Jax and Mason. The old fluorescent lights flickered, buzzing like static in the silence. The scent of sweat, blood, and damp concrete filled the air—a reminder of every war fought in this place.

Jax stood in front of the heavy bag, hands taped, muscles burning. His ribs ached, and his knuckles were still healing, but he welcomed the pain.

Pain meant he was still here. Pain meant he was still fighting. Mason sat on the bench nearby, arms crossed, watching him carefully. "You're gonna tell me what the hell you're planning, or am I just supposed to guess?"

Jax didn't respond. He threw a hard right hook. Thud. The bag rocked back. Mason let out a sharp breath. "Jax—"

"I'm not throwing the fight," Jax said flatly. Mason stiffened. "I figured that much."

Jax threw another punch, then stepped back, breathing steady. "And I'm not just fighting to win." Mason's jaw tightened. "Then what the hell are you doing?"

Jax turned to face him, eyes dark and sharp. "I'm fighting to make sure Romano never controls me again."

Mason stared at him. "You sound like a guy with a death wish." Jax exhaled slowly, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair. "Romano's using me as a pawn. He wants me in his pocket. But the only reason he has power over me is because I let him set the rules."

Mason frowned. "And what? You think you can change the rules?" Jax's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "I know I can."

Mason rubbed his face, frustration leaking into his voice. "Jax, you're talking about outplaying a goddamn crime boss. You got some magic trick I don't know about?"

Jax shook his head. "No tricks. Just a fight." He paused. "But not the one Romano thinks I'm walking into." Mason's expression darkened. "This is getting worse by the second."

Jax grabbed his water bottle and took a slow sip, letting the silence stretch. "Vargas is a monster," he continued. "Romano's banking on me either getting destroyed or taking the fall. But I'm not doing either."

Mason eyed him carefully. "So what's the play?" Jax cracked his knuckles. "I make Vargas my message."Silence.

Mason narrowed his eyes. "You planning to kill him?"Jax smirked. "I don't need to kill him. I just need to make sure Romano doesn't win—no matter what happens."

Mason crossed his arms. "Spell it out." Jax exhaled. "Romano thrives on control. He fixes fights and builds his fighters up like they're untouchable. If I go in and win the way he wants me to win, I'm still in his pocket." Jax's eyes darkened. "But if I go in and expose Vargas, if I make him look weak, if I take Romano's golden boy and break him in front of everyone—Romano loses."

Mason let that sink in. "You're not just fighting to win," Mason muttered. "You're fighting to embarrass them." Jax nodded. "And when Romano realizes he can't control me, that I won't play his game, he'll have two choices."

Mason's jaw tightened. "Either let you walk… or make sure you never fight again."Jax's smirk didn't waver. "That's why I have to make it loud. I need people talking about it. I need to make it so if anything happens to me, people start asking questions."

Mason shook his head, rubbing his temples. "This is insane. You're not just poking the bear—you're setting the whole damn forest on fire." Jax rolled his shoulders. "If I'm going down, I'm taking them with me."

Mason let out a sharp laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Jesus Christ, Jax." He stood, pacing now. "Okay. Let's say you pull this off. Let's say you go in there and make Vargas look like a joke. What makes you think Romano won't just have you killed anyway?" Jax's smirk faded slightly. "That's where you come in."

Mason stopped, his body going still. "Come again?" Jax leaned against the ropes of the ring, crossing his arms. "I need you watching my back. If Romano makes a move after the fight, I need to know before it happens."

Mason let out a low breath, shaking his head. "Damn it, Jax. You're gonna make me part of this mess, huh?" Jax's expression softened just a little. "You're already part of it."

Mason ran a hand through his hair, muttering something under his breath. Then, after a moment, he sighed. "Alright. Fine. But if we're doing this, we do it right."

Jax nodded. "That's the only way it works." Mason looked at him seriously. "One last thing."Jax raised an eyebrow.

Mason stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Are you sure you can beat Vargas?"Jax didn't hesitate. "I don't have a choice."

Mason studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "Then let's make sure you make it out alive."