Page 25 of April 5

The vein near his temple pulsed in the glow from the dashboard. She swallowed the lump of emotions threatening to drown her. How had they wandered so far from each other?

She wanted to be there for him, but he'd pushed her away. Even now, he closed himself off—the indestructible president of Havlin. Strong and solid for everyone. But who would take care of him?

His men stood behind him. They protected his back.

Jagger needed someone to stand beside him and hold his hand. The others would never see how news of his mother's heart attack had affected him. He wouldn't allow others to see the fear of losing his mom.

The rest of the trip dragged on. The sun rose in the east as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. Shedding the blanket, she slipped on her shoes and followed Jagger out of the van.

His long strides headed straight to the front door of the white building. She jogged to keep up with him.

When he slowed down to inquire at the front desk where he could find his mom, Katrina grabbed his hand. He squeezed hard enough to make her wince, but she refused to let go.

A whistle pierced the quiet morning inside the hospital. Katrina raised her head and found Brady, a Havlin member, motioning them through. She tugged Jagger's arm and stepped away from the desk.

They both jogged down the corridor. Her emotions made it impossible to breathe deeply enough, and she held on to Jagger as she swayed.

Brady motioned for them to go through the door. As they entered, Hatchet stepped away from the nurse's station.

Sadness gazed back at them through a stoic expression. The slight shake of Hatchet's head destroyed all hope. A scream of anguish caught in her throat. She covered her mouth, looking at Jagger.

He dropped her hand and stepped back. She reached for him, but he turned away in anguish.

Brady jumped in, wrapping both arms around Jagger as he swung wildly, fighting the loss of his mother. Hatchet jumped into the fray. Together, the two men struggled to contain Jagger as he fought the truth.

Katrina fell to her knees, hugging her middle, as the devastating loss hit home.

Mama Sue was gone.

Never again would she feel her gentle hand stroke her face or her quick laugh fill the room. The woman who'd rocked her to sleep, chased away her nightmares, and helped her shop for her school clothes every year was gone.

Her heart shattered. Pain radiated through her upper body. Grief made a permanent scar on her. She would never be the same. She would never have another mother figure who loved her like Mama Sue.

She wanted one more hour. One more minute to touch Mama Sue's face. To hold her hand and memorize the softness of her touch.

Big hands encircled her upper arms, lifting her to her feet. She raised her head and, through blurry vision, found her dad. She buried her head in his broad chest, letting him hold her.

Ruger's hand palmed the back of her head. From the safety of her father's arms, she watched Jagger struggle with the pain of losing his last parent all alone.

She cried for him.

And, she cried for herself.

"Get the fuck off me." Jagger broke free of the men.

Wild and disheveled, Jagger had black circles under his eyes from the worry and lack of sleep as he drove home. He could've gotten here in half the time on his motorcycle, but he'd brought her, hoping they'd get here in time.

They were too late.

"Take a minute, brother." Hatchet patted Jagger's chest.

"I need to see her."

His raw, hoarse voice broke Katrina. She stepped out of her dad's arms and reached him before anyone could stop her.

"Let me go with you," she whispered. "Please."

She had a million things to tell Mama Sue, but nothing more important than wanting to be with Jagger as he said goodbye to his mom.

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