Chapter 14 - The Ledger in the Ashes
The flames were spreading fast now, licking up the dry cedar walls toward the remaining rafters. The heat in the chapel had become unbearable, thick black smoke rolling across the ceiling, threatening to choke out what little breathable air remained.
Jax turned back toward the altar, his chest heaving, his legs trembling from the agony of his bullet wound and the sheer physical toll of the fight. He reached out a hand to Toby, who stood on the edge of the dais, coughing into his small sleeve.
"Come on," Jax said, his voice hoarse. "We have to get out of here before the whole mountain comes down."
"The box!" Toby pointed toward the open crypt beneath the ruined statue.
Jax looked down. The heavy stone slab had been cracked open by the falling beams. He didn't care about the money or the distribution routes, but he knew that as long as that ledger existed, someone else from the Dead Pines would come hunting them. It had to end here.
Jax dropped into the shallow pit, his boots crunching on broken glass. He hauled the olive-drab lockbox out into the light. The metal was scorched, but the heavy latches held. Using the edge of his combat knife, Jax jammed the blade into the locking mechanism, applying all his weight until the brass tumbler sheared with a sharp snap.
He threw the lid open.
Inside, resting on top of stacks of hundred-dollar bills, was a leather-bound notebook filled with Elena’s meticulous handwriting—names, dates, wire transfers, and the addresses of safe houses across five states.
Tucked into the front cover was an envelope with Jax's name written in faded blue ink.
With shaking fingers, Jax tore open the envelope. Inside was a single photograph: a young, smiling Elena holding a newborn baby wrapped in a hospital blanket, sitting on the porch of the trailer they had shared.
On the back was written: He has your eyes, Jax. Teach him how to ride.
May you like
Jax stared at the photograph as a tear cut through the soot on his scarred cheek. He carefully folded the picture and tucked it into his leather vest beside the other half.
Then, he tossed the ledger and the stacks of dirty money straight into the roaring flames at the back of the church.
