Losing Control : His Madness, His Cure Chapter 274

The door swings open, and Jax steps inside....shoulders tense, eyes scanning.

But he’s not alone. There’s someone behind him. A guy who looks like he got first pick at the genetic lottery. Dark hair, sharp jaw, green eyes that are so stupidly bright they’re almost unreal. That has to be Kieran.

My gaze snaps back to Jax. He glances around...Dorian, Nate, then me....and something faint but unmistakably wary flickers through his eyes. Dorian rises from the couch. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Jax echoes. There’s this taut, electric tension between them, the kind that makes the air feel heavy. It’s quiet, but it’s there. Kieran steps forward, smoothing a hand through his already perfect hair, eyes glinting as he gestures toward Jax.

“I told him he looks nothing like he used to. Isn't that right, Dorian?”

Dorian huffs a laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah...he’s definitely not the same guy I remember.”

Jax shoots him a look. “You didn’t say you were bringing anyone.”

Kieran shrugs, unbothered. “My idea. Figured you’d chicken out if you knew we were all coming.”

Jax sets the beer on the table, just as Nate pushes up from the couch. He strides toward Jax, arms spreading, and before he can get close, Jax plants a palm to his chest and shoves him back.

Nate just laughs, delighted. “One of these days

....”

A soft, thoughtful hum rises behind me. I turn just in time to see Kieran prowling closer, same height as me, same physical space occupied. His grin is wicked, fascinated, as his eyes sweep me head to toe. He stops a little too close, tilts his head, and says, “Nate, you undersold him. And you know I don't like being in the same room as anyone who can steal my spotlight.”

My eyebrows lift, then he suddenly leans in....way too close, too fast....and I stiffen when his breath ghosts over my neck.

“And he smells nice too,” he murmurs.

I blink at him, my brain does a full blue-screen. What the fucking hell is happening right now? He reaches out, fingers angled like he’s about to test the texture of my skin, when Jax’s hand snaps around his wrist mid-air.

“Don’t.”

A low warning that slices clean. Kieran lifts both hands instantly, stepping back with a delighted laugh, like he’s just discovered a new toy he’s not allowed to touch. His eyes stay on me anyway, bright and curious with his head tilted.

Everything is giving me whiplash. Maybe it’s because I’ve barely seen anyone for over two weeks, maybe it’s the sudden flood of strangers. Apart from Layla and Addy, I haven’t interacted with anyone long enough to recall how weird humanity can get.

“If I’d known you were all coming,” Jax says tightly, “I definitely wouldn’t have asked to meet up here.”

Nate frowns like Jax just accused him of arson. “Why not?”

Jax turns to me and doesn’t look away. “Xander was told to avoid stressful situations.”

“Absurd,” Nate says immediately, waving a hand. “Xander loves me.” Then he leans forward, eyes narrowing on me. “If you’re still in pain, I can hook you up with something really effective.”

Before I can respond, Kieran chimes in, looking far too entertained. “Are we stressing you out.... Xander?”

His tone is playful, but he’s studying me like he genuinely wants the answer.

I open my mouth,

“Jax is right. We should go somewhere else,” Dorian cuts in, voice deep and decisive. “Let Xander rest.”

“Good idea,” Jax says.

“It’s fine,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “Really. You can stay. I don’t mind.”

Jax keeps staring at me like he can see the truth beneath the truth. Then he steps closer, voice softer but edged.

“Can I talk to you for a second?”

Before I can answer, his hand is already at the small of my back, guiding me toward the bedroom with a quiet urgency that tells me this isn’t optional.

He closes the bedroom door behind us like he’s trying to hold back a tide. The soft click of the lock feels too loud. He turns to me, shoulders lifting with a long, tired exhale, as if he’s finally somewhere he can breathe.

“You okay?” he asks.

I try for a laugh. It comes out crooked and off-key. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

He flicks a hand toward the living room. “Because they’re.... a lot,” he says. “And I didn’t know they’d all be here.”

“Yeah. I know.”

I step in and rest my hand on his cheek. His skin is warm, his pulse jumpy beneath it. “Are you okay?” I ask. “That must’ve hit you hard.”

He wraps his fingers around my wrist and turns his head to kiss my palm. It’s warm, reverent, like he’s steadying himself with the taste of my skin.

“It’s just.... I haven’t seen them in a long time,” he murmurs. “I ran into Kieran outside the building. He caught me off guard.”

Before I can respond, something crashes somewhere....glass, maybe, and Nate’s dramatic cursing follows. Jax and I both glance toward the door. He shakes his head, jaw tightening. “I’ll get them out of here. Take them to a diner or something. You stay and rest.” He touches my arm

“I’ll be back soon.”

I shake my head. “Jax, it’s fine. Let them stay. I’ll just hang out in here until they’re done.”

He goes very still. Studies me like he’s trying to read between the lines, trying to decide whether or not to override me.

“You sure?” he asks quietly.

“Positive.”

I step closer, into his space, into his gravity. My arms slide around him, and I feel the way he reluctantly melts, like someone allowing himself to lean on a warm wall. “ It's you they came to see. And if they weren’t so overstimulating, I’d be out there with you,” I say against his collarbone. “But I’d rather you stay close.”

Something in him gives then. He dips his head, pressing a long, lingering kiss to the side of my neck.

“Okay,” he breathes.

He doesn’t move. Doesn’t let go. I feel his heartbeat, steadying itself against my chest like it’s trying to match mine.

A couple of minutes pass before he finally exhales and murmurs, “I should stop stalling and actually go.”

I pull back just enough to meet his eyes, my hands still resting on him. “If any of them upset you,” I say, “I’ll kick them out.”

His smile breaks through, full of warmth. He leans in, kisses me once, soft but lingering at the edges.

“I’ll bring you something to eat and drink first,” he murmurs, thumb brushing along my jaw before he finally steps away.