Page 102 of Broken Pact

I raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate. “The serial killer rumors?”

“Yeah, that. Prez is having a field day with this serial killer shit,” he drawls, taking a sip. “Reapers playin’ cops in a town that’s not Rosewood—never thought I’d see the day.”

I snort, shaking my head. “Yeah, well, Avalon Falls PD came to us for help. What else was he gonna do?”

“Nah, he’d never jeopardize our truce,” Hawke says.

“Or turn down a chance to help make sure Rosewood stays safe.” It’s a lot of conjecture right now without all the information. It hasn’t officially been declared a serial killer, despite what Coraline’s ma said yesterday. Could turn out to be one of those one in a million coincidences.

Hawke chuckles. “Still, feels a little weird, you know? Like the world’s gone upside down or something.”

Reapers usually keep to ourselves in Rosewood. We learned that lesson the hard way back when we were in the thick of an attempted hostile MC takeover years ago.

Before I can respond, Hawke pulls his phone out of his pocket, glances at the screen, and swears under his breath. “You’re not gonna believe this,” he says, holding up the phone. “My guy inside the local FBI division just dropped a bomb. They’re taking over the investigation into the murders, and guess what? The two victims found in the park near Carter’s place? Chad Fell and Ernie Slater.”

My stomach drops, and I clench my jaw. “Are you fucking with me right now?”

“Nah, bro. See for yourself.” He hands me his phone.

I read through the text exchange between him and his contact, Ethan, and fuck me. He’s right.

“Fuck.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Hawke says, rocking back on his heels. “But it’s fucking wild, right? What are the fuckin’ odds that they both kick the bucket the same day we fuck ’em up a little?”

“Although,” I muse, tilting my head and handing his phone back. “Now I’m less convinced it’s a serial killer.”

Fell and Slater were small-timers. Two punks working for Falcone, who’s a slightly bigger punk, trying to make a name for himself. But if someone took them out, it means there’s something bigger going on. “Maybe Falcone fucked with the wrong people in his little power trip since his uncle died.”

“Most likely.”

Before we can delve deeper, Rocks pops his head in the garage from the office. “Hey, Jagger, there’s some chick asking for you in here.”

A smirk tugs at my lips, and I head toward the office.

Hawke’s hand lands in my gut with a laughing taunt. “Damn, bro, you got it so fuckin’ bad.”

I grunt and keep walking, flipping him off over my shoulder. “Get some work done, asshole,” I taunt him back.

All thoughts of serial killers and MC politics fall away, my mood lifting at the thought of seeing her. But when I push open the office door, my smile fades.

Naomi, my half-sister, stands in the middle of the office, hands clasped together and a wide smile on her face. “Oh good. I was hoping you would be here today. I thought I knew your schedule, but then you didn’t show up a few days ago, so I wasn’t sure anymore. But it doesn’t matter, because you’re here.” Her words come out faster and faster, and by the end she’s rocking from heel to toe, like she can’t contain her excitement.

I grab her by the bicep and walk her further into the office, closing the door behind me. It takes effort to keep my expression neutral. “I thought I made myself clear last time you dropped by unexpectedly, Naomi.”

“Yes, well, you’re still not answering my texts.” She leans into my touch just as I remove it. “And I don’t think I like being ignored. Not from you.” She bats her lashes at me like some kind of cartoon, this strange expression on her face I can’t quite name.

I fold my arms across my chest and glare at her. “That’s because I don’t want to talk to you.”

She shuffles forward a step, batting her lashes at me. “But we’re family, Jasper.”

My lip curls, loathing the way my name feels when she says it. “It’s Jagger to you.”

“Right,” she says with a chuckle. “Silly me. I’ll remember for next time.”

“There will be no next time, Naomi. I’m busy.”

“Oh, I know. That’s why I’m here. My car needs some repairs, so I brought it in and requested you.”

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