Page 2 of Jagger

She huffed and jerked up, her body swaying from the amount of wine we’d consumed. “More wine and ice cream. That’s what the doctor ordered.”

“I need to go home.”

“Cally is already asleep and I refuse to allow you to drive. Besides, with you determined to leave in the morning, I need to spend as much time with my bestie as possible. Where the hell are you going again?”

“Just someplace special.” I’d thrown a dart at a map of the surrounding states, hoping to land somewhere I’d find happiness.

If that was possible.

“Well, you’ve got guts, lady. I’ll give you that, but my offer to have him taken out like the bastard he is still stands.”

“And I love you for it.”

After she walked from the room, I pulled my phone from my jeans pocket. I’d watched the ugly video at least fifty times and every time pulled me further into darkness and hatred. If he released the raunchy video to the press or the hospital administrators, my career would be over anyway. I’d been so stupid to trust him. I’d been blinded by his wealth and good looks, falling into the predator’s lair.

The only thing I could do was to start a new life.

And pray my past wouldn’t follow.

CHAPTER 2

Jagger

“I fucking hate holidays,” I snarled as Shephard and I walked from the elevator toward the lobby of the resort. Foxhead Resort and Winery was exploding with business, which did little more than irritate the hell out of me.

I hadn’t been born or raised to be responsible for the financials of a multimillion-dollar operation.

I’d been born to fight.

And to kill.

“All of them in general or just Christmas?” My older brother Shephard had amusement in his tone.

The Fox brothers had been mandated to leave our lives, accepting our father’s ‘gift’ of controlling the business in exchange for our full inheritance. It was basic blackmail, but the three of us, who’d barely gotten along as kids as it was, had been forced to work together.

I’d loathed almost every day since.

I gritted my teeth as we moved through a large group of guests. They’d all headed for the resort for the winter festivities and the goddamn festive atmosphere in the tiny town. We were packed to the gills, every snow lover in the world landing in Danger Falls.

“Every single one of them,” I answered. I was used to traveling the world, indulging in the finest foods and liquors, not babysitting tourists determined to get lost in the mountains or break a fucking leg. Plus, I’d lived alone, never forced to deal with people.

At least as long as they were alive.

“What’s his problem?” Hunter asked as he walked toward us from another direction.

My younger brother had sipped too much of the small town’s Kool-Aid, enjoying living in such a confining space. It shouldn’t piss me off that he’d sold out for a better way of life, but it did. We weren’t close, barely burying the hatchet, but agreeing to run the resort and winery. But they both thought they could butt in whenever they felt like it.

Fuck them.

“He’s grousing about the decorations and the lively guests, I’m assuming,” Shephard told him.

Hunter laughed. “He’s more of a pessimist than you are.”

“Stop fucking with me. I don’t need to like shit.” Yeah, I was grumpier than ever. Maybe it was because some kid had run into me with his damn hot chocolate, nearly scalding my arm. I smelled like one big chocolate factory.

“Oh, come on. The snow has brought us more guests than ever.” Shephard had become the head of the resort, his adoration of the place driving me bat shit crazy. “Plus, our profits are up fifteen percent. According to the financials you just provided anyway.”

I glanced in his direction, shaking my head. “Yes. We are making money hand over fist at this point.”

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