Final hours

The fight was tomorrow. Jax had been in plenty of fights before—bare-knuckle brawls in underground basements, backroom matches where blood stained the floors, places where no one cared if you walked out breathing.

But this time? This wasn't just about winning. This was about survival. Romano was watching. And waiting. The gym was empty except for Jax and Mason.

Jax's fists slammed into the heavy bag, each punch landing with a dull, punishing thud. His muscles burned, his ribs ached, but he kept going.

He had to. Mason leaned against the ropes of the ring, arms crossed, eyes locked on him. "You're pushing too hard."

Jax ignored him, throwing another combination—left hook, right hook, body shot. Mason sighed. "Jax."

Jax didn't stop. He threw another brutal hook, the impact shaking through his entire body.

Mason finally shoved off the ropes, stepping closer. "Enough."Jax hit the bag again. "Jax!"

Jax spun, chest rising and falling, sweat dripping from his face. His fists were still clenched, knuckles raw and throbbing beneath the tape.

Mason shook his head. "What the hell are you doing?" Jax wiped his face with his forearm and grabbed a water bottle from the bench. "Training."

Mason exhaled sharply. "No. You're punishing yourself." Jax didn't answer. He took a long sip of water, his jaw tight.

Mason's voice was steady but tense. "It's too late for this. You're not gonna get stronger in one night." Jax finally looked at him. "I'm not trying to get stronger."

Mason frowned. "Then what?" Jax exhaled. "I need to be faster."

Mason rubbed his face, frustration clear. "You're already fast." Jax shook his head. "Not fast enough."

They both knew what Vargas was. A machine. A monster in the ring. He didn't just win—he destroyed people.

Mason sat on the bench, running a hand through his hair. "I don't like this, Jax."

Jax studied him. "I know."

Mason's jaw tightened. "I don't trust Romano. I don't trust Vargas. And I sure as hell don't trust that this fight is the only play they're making."

Jax nodded slowly. "Romano's got something planned. He always does." Mason exhaled. "Then why does it feel like we're walking blind?"

Jax leaned back against the bench, staring at the ceiling. "Because we are."

They left the gym close to midnight. The streets were quiet, the city alive in the distance. Jax pulled his hoodie up as they walked, Mason at his side.

Neither of them spoke. Then, someone stepped out of the shadows. Jax's body tensed. He recognized the figure immediately.

Eddie Kane.

Mason stiffened beside him. "You gotta be kidding me," Eddie smirked, but his eyes were sharp. "I figured I'd find you here."Jax studied him. "What do you want?"

Eddie exhaled, glancing around before stepping closer. His voice was lower now. "You don't get it, do you?" Jax narrowed his eyes. "Get what?"

Eddie shook his head. "You think Romano's gonna let this fight happen clean? You think you even make it to the second round?"

Jax's pulse kicked up, but he didn't show it. "What are you saying?" Eddie hesitated. "I'm saying Romano doesn't like leaving things to chance. He's not just betting on Vargas. He's making sure you don't walk out of that ring."

Silence. Mason's fists clenched. "What the hell does that mean?" Eddie looked at Jax. "You think Vargas is the only problem?"

Jax's mind worked fast. The ref. The ringside medics. Romano owned them all. Mason stepped forward. "Why the hell are you telling us this?"

Eddie exhaled. "Because I've been where you are." He paused. "And I didn't listen." Jax stared at him. "And what happened to you?"

Eddie's smirk was bitter now. "I won." Jax's stomach twisted. Mason let out a slow breath. "Shit." Jax clenched his jaw. "What's the play?"

Eddie glanced around. "I don't know. But whatever you think you're walking into tomorrow? It's worse." Silence.

Eddie took a step back. "Good luck, Mercer. You're gonna need it." Then he was gone.

Jax sat alone in his apartment, staring at his hands. The bruises. The cuts. The scars. Every fight is written into his skin.

He flexed his fingers, feeling the stiffness, the ache. His body was exhausted, but his mind wouldn't stop. Eddie's words kept replaying in his head. Romano's not leaving this to chance.

He needed a plan. He needed something Romano wouldn't see coming.

His phone buzzed! A message. No name. No number. Just four words. "Be careful tomorrow, Mercer." Jax exhaled slowly, gripping the phone tight.

The fight was tomorrow. And now, it wasn't just Vargas in the ring with him. It was Romano. The entire system. And Jax was walking straight into it.