Page 109 of Jagger

“Level two.”

“You’re certain.”

Joel would be destroyed, giving a clear warning, but would be allowed to live. I’d prefer he wallow in sanctimonious bullshitand the loss of his reputation and maybe his career. Prison wouldn’t be bad. “Yes.”

“Then so be it. Just remember the deal you made.”

“Yes, I will.”

The veil of secrecy was required to be kept. It was written in blood by those who’d joined the organization. That same blood would be spilled if any treachery occurred. It was my cross to bear, but right now, one I would do so without issue.

Salvation wasn’t in my vocabulary.

The call ended and there would be no further discussion until the deed was done. What I’d done would come back to haunt me in weeks, months, or even years.

One day I’d be dragged into the past.

If only for a little while.

I only hoped it would be something Bella could forgive.

CHAPTER 30

Bella

“Secrets,” a former teacher had told me, “will always end a relationship.”

I had too many of them to count.

So did Jagger.

We were mired in them. For all the joy I’d been able to experience over the last couple of weeks, a heavy weight was coming close to crushing me.

“Stop fidgeting,” I told Jagger as I adjusted his tie. “You look debonair.”

And he did. In fact, he looked as if he’d just walked from a hot male magazine meant to drive women nuts. It was working for me.

“Yeah, right. Why the hell am I wearing this shit?”

“You mean a jacket and tie? Because the event is slightly more formal.”

“Do you think Shephard isn’t going to know something is up? He ain’t wearing a tie.”

I grinned and stood back, admiring the look on him. He’d even shaved, allowing me to watch as he’d cut off his long beard. “You look much younger and sexier without that Brillo pad on your face.”

He yanked me into his arms. “I thought you adored my beard. The way it scratched that sweet pussy of yours. Huh? Tell the truth.”

“I’m not saying a thing.” When he pushed me over the back of the couch, swatting my behind, I squealed, which caused Xena to bark like crazy. I had to laugh. He was much more playful lately, although I still sensed there was a darkness in him that would haunt him for many years to come.

“I can’t believe you roped me into this,” he grumbled as he returned me to a standing position.

“It’s good for you to get out. Makes Mr. Grumpy a nicer guy.”

He rolled his eyes, not something he normally did. “Let’s go. Where do they think we’re going?”

“A fabulous restaurant.”

“And how did you convince them to go?”

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