A Secret No Longer

The silence was suffocating.

Jax stood there, his smirk lazy, amused.

Ethan stood beside me, his fists clenched, his entire body coiled tight.

And me?

I was shaking.

Because I knew.

The moment Jax had spoken, the moment the words had left his mouth—I had known.

This wasn't a game anymore.

This wasn't about love or loyalty or even survival.

This was about power.

And I?

I was just a piece on the board.

One that had been played without my consent.

Jax let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.

"You should see your face, sweetheart."

I clenched my jaw.

"Don't call me that."

His grin widened. "Still got some fight left in you, huh?"

He tilted his head, studying me like I was some experiment.

"Guess we'll see how long that lasts."

My stomach twisted.

Because I still didn't know what the deal was.

I still didn't know what Ethan had traded.

But I had a feeling I was about to find out.

And I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it.

I turned to Ethan, my chest tight, burning.

"What did you do?"

His jaw clenched.

"Liv—"

"No." My voice was sharp, edged with something I barely recognized.

Desperation. Fear. Rage.

"Don't protect me. Don't lie. Just tell me the truth."

Ethan exhaled slowly.

And then—

"I made sure you were safe."

I let out a harsh, bitter laugh.

"Safe?" I shook my head. "I don't feel safe, Ethan."

Jax hummed in amusement.

"Well, that makes two of us."

I shot him a glare.

But Ethan?

He wasn't looking at Jax.

He was looking at me.

Like he was waiting for me to understand.

And maybe, deep down, I already did.

But I needed to hear him say it.

I needed to hear him admit it.

Jax sighed, rolling his shoulders.

"Guess I'll do the honors, then."

Ethan's jaw ticked.

But he didn't stop him.

And that?

That told me everything.

Jax took a step forward, his gaze sharp, unforgiving.

"Ethan didn't get out of lockup on his own, sweetheart."

My hands curled into fists.

"I figured that much."

Jax grinned.

"Smart girl."

He took another step, lowering his voice.

"But here's what you don't know."

He glanced at Ethan, his smirk widening.

"The deal wasn't just about him."

A pause.

Then—

"It was about you."

My breath hitched.

Jax chuckled, watching the realization sink in.

"See, Carter here was willing to do whatever it took to get back to you."

His grin sharpened.

"Even if it meant giving you up in the process."

Ethan moved then.

Fast.

Like a storm breaking loose.

Like he was done listening.

He grabbed Jax by the collar, shoving him hard against the wall.

"Shut up," he growled.

Jax?

He just laughed.

"Hit a nerve?"

Ethan's grip tightened.

But Jax didn't look scared.

He looked pleased.

Like he had been waiting for this.

Like he had been planning for it.

I took a shaky step back.

Because it all made sense now.

Ethan had told me to stay.

Had told me I was safer with him.

But the truth?

The truth was so much worse.

Because I wasn't safe.

I was owed.

A debt. A deal. A trade.

And Ethan?

He had made that choice for me.

"Tell me the truth," I whispered.

Ethan didn't look at me.

His fingers curled tighter into Jax's shirt, his jaw set, his entire body a coil of tension.

But he didn't deny it.

He didn't say Jax was lying.

He didn't say anything.

And that?

That was worse than a confession.

It was an admission.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my throat tight.

Then—

I turned around.

And walked to the door.

Because if I stayed?

If I let Ethan explain?

If I let him convince me that this was okay—

I would never leave.

And I had to leave.

I had to save myself before it was too late.

Ethan finally spoke.

"Liv."

Just my name.

But it wasn't enough.

Not anymore.

I reached for the doorknob.

Jax chuckled behind me.

"Well," he murmured, "this is getting interesting."

I ignored him.

I ignored the way my heart ached.

And I stepped out of that apartment.

Because Ethan might have thought he could make choices for me.

But this one?

This one was mine.

Liv finally learns the truth—Ethan made a deal that involved her.

Jax is enjoying the chaos, but what's his real endgame?

Ethan doesn't deny it, and Liv walks away—but is she really free?

What does Liv do now, and how far will Ethan go to pull her back?