**Jax**

I flopped over onto my back, fighting to catch my breath. Piper curled onto her side and rested her head on my chest. We were silent for several moments - until I felt a drip of moisture on my bare skin and smelled the unmistakable salty scent of tears.

"Piper, honey. Why are you crying?" I wrapped my arm around her. "Did I hurt you?"

"No." She sniffled. "I'm crying because I know I'm going to hurt you."

Pain sliced through my ...