Page 60 of The Spy Ring

“Let him go,” I said.

With a smile, Jagger turned his attention from Henrik to me. The grin didn’t last as he sighed and released Henrik, getting up.

“Fine.” Jagger lifted his hands in the air as if to surrender.

Henrik slowly rose from the floor and I thought he was hurt, but based on the red of his cheeks I realized it was only his ego that took a hit.

“You two act like boys, not men,” I said and turned to leave the bedroom when I saw David standing just inside my room.

“David. How was your night with the guys?” I went over to give him a hug but he stiffened as I came near. “What’s wrong?” I asked as I pulled away from him.

“What’s going on in here? What happened to you?” David touched my arm.

I closed my eyes and sighed. As shaken up as I was from the attack, I was more worried at how I would explain it to David. The way he was glaring at Jagger, I knew I had to explain what happened right away. I didn’t want David to think anything bad about the man who saved me.

“I was mugged.”

“No,” David yelled as his eyes began to water.

He stuffed his hand into his pocket and took something small and black out, rubbing it like it would help will away the tears. I couldn’t tell what the object was, perhaps one of his little ninja action figures he collects.

“What?” I heard Henrik from behind.

I turned but kept my hand on David’s shoulder. “I’m fine. Just got a scratch on my arm. Luckily, Jagger was nearby and saw what was happening.”

All eyes turned toward Jagger as he stood by the back wall.

“He stopped the guy, and the police arrested the attacker. Jagger saved me.”

Henrik’s hands ran through his hair as he shook his head. He turned to Jagger. “I’m sorry. When I saw that she was hurt and you were here, I thought the worst. Thank you for helping Tiffany. We’d be lost without her.”

I heard a gasp and turned to find my son with tears streaming down his face. Pulling him into an embrace, I held him as tight as I could.

“I’m fine, David. It’s okay.” I ran my fingers through his soft wavy hair and kissed the top of his head.

He was growing and becoming stronger every day, but David was always sensitive to other’s feelings. I remember him as a toddler watching cartoons, and anytime the characters started to cry, he did too.

“You need to leave this neighborhood.” Henrik put on his demanding voice.

“This is my home. Even if we did move out, our lease isn’t even up until the late autumn. Besides, this building has an elevator.”

“But you don’t need an elevator anymore,” Henrik added.

“But what about—” I stopped myself as I pulled away from David and stared at him.

“About me? I can walk now, remember?” David said fisting the object in his hand and shoving it back into his pocket.

That was true, but it wasn’t like he was running up and down stairs. His gait was still slow and he needed to continue to build his core for balance.

“I don’t know,” I said watching David with unease.

It was surprising how quickly David went from sad to irritated, but I should get used to it. He was a teenager now.

“Really? You know I’m not crippled anymore, right?” David raised his voice.

“David! Don’t say that. Don’t you ever say that. We don’t use that word here.” I pushed my hands on my hips.

“You don’t think I heard what everyone called me?” David turned to leave the doorway and walked toward his bedroom.

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