Page 94 of The Spy Ring

THIRTY-TWO

Tiffany

“Where are they?”I pleaded for answers for the twentieth time in the last hour.

I kept glancing back at the wall of windows that looked out onto the street. All I could see were police, men and women in suits, and cars parked along the side. No pedestrians and no one driving by. It had been like that for a while.

“I wish I knew,” Evaleen said just as her phone buzzed.

She glanced down as her eyes widened. When her head lifted they were focused past me, out the window.

“You got something. What is it?” I asked, grabbing her wrist.

“It’s nothing. Just something about a coworker. I’ll be right back.” She scurried off to the front of the café and I watched her put her phone to her ear.

Coworker? Evaleen worked for herself as an author. Did she recently hire an assistant?

“I’m going to go check on Henrik. Oh, I forgot to give this to you yesterday at the rehearsal dinner. Jagger gave it to me over a week ago, but I haven’t had time pass it on.” Edgar removed a wrinkled envelope from his tuxedo trouser pocket and slid it toward me before getting up.

“How’s Henrik doing?” I took the envelope but stared up at Edgar.

Edgar frowned and shook his head before turning toward Henrik. I felt guilty. I was too lost in my thoughts and hadn’t asked about Morgana.

Evaleen told me after she called Jagger that Morgana was missing. She tried to get as much information as possible from Tenn but was having a tough time. She wasn’t happy about that and neither was I.

But when Evaleen set her mind to something, she made things happen.

Henrik was huddled in the corner, by himself, his fingers curled in his hair. As Edgar approached, Henrik seemed to shrink.

Sighing, I glanced down at the envelope and decided to open it. Much had changed in over a week and I wondered if what he had to say was even relevant anymore.

Dear Tiffany,

I know you hate me and I don’t blame you. Even if you never want to see me again, I wanted you to know that you are a wonderful mother. David couldn’t ask for a more caring mother that only had his best interest at heart.

I brought my hand to my mouth, forcing the cry back as I continued to read.

It’s me that’s a terrible friend. I assumed the worst in you when I first met you. I thought you would reveal all my secrets so I kept them hidden. I spied on you like a coward, assuming you needed me to protect you and your son when it’s clear how intelligent and strong you already are.

The tears ran down my face as it was hard to believe he saw me this way. Would Jagger say the same right now, as I allowed a deranged woman to take my son at gun point? Probably not.

That’s right, I spied on you. You see, I was too spineless to tell you that I planted listening devices in your apartment because you were the best person I had ever had the chance to fall in love with. I was afraid you would get hurt because I let you into my fucked-up world. And then I was too afraid to tell you I removed those devices.

If you are going to hate me I wanted you to know that I love you. I may not know how to give you my heart without breaking a few pieces first, but I wanted to write you so that if you should ever need some comfort, some help, and anyone to fall at your feet, then I will be there.

I promise to love you always. I will be there to protect you if you should ever give me the chance. And I will always admire your quiet strength.

Forever Yours,

Jagger Chance

I stared at the paper, rereading it a few times. He was admitting to me about the spying well before I found out. While that gave me some comfort, it wasn’t enough to forgive him. He never should have done it to begin with. But it made me realize Jagger was as new to love as I was to letting my son be independent. We both stumbled and made mistakes.

I folded up the letter and put it into my purse. Looking around I saw Aria—standing alone in the front—staring out the window.

We should be together. I got up and went over to her.

“Hey. How are you doing?” I put my hand on her shoulder.

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