Page 75 of Jagger

“What do you mean, a monster?” The tension immediately shifted into every joint in my body. I fisted my hands even though I made certain to keep her close.

“He wants custody of Cally and he didn’t adopt her, but he’s threatening to force the adoption papers through without me being there to sign them.”

“He was the one who hurt you, wasn’t he?”

She looked away.

“Bella. Tell me the truth. Did he hurt you? The bruises. The pain you had. He did that. Didn’t he?” I couldn’t even recognize my own voice. I held her face again, forcing her to look in my direction. “Didn’t he?”

“Yes, Jagger. He did. And he’s still contacting me. That’s why I can’t stay here. That’s why I can’t care about you. If I do and he finds out, he’ll kill you too.”

Kill.

Some snot-nosed lily-white surgeon thought they would take the life of such an incredible woman? And try to take me out in the process for standing in his way? The fucker had another think coming. “Fuck that. He’ll get a bullet in his brain.”

“Don’t do this. This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you,” Bella said sharply.

“I won’t let him hurt you or Cally. Not a chance on this fucking earth.” I wasn’t certain if I’d ever been so angry in my life. I was pacing the deck, already on another glass of bourbon. All I could see was blood in my eyes.

“Please, Jagger. Just calm down. Joel is in Baltimore.”

“But you think he’ll manage to find you so he can ruin your life? Let him come here.”

“You just don’t know what he’s capable of or what his father is capable of. Plus, they have police and even members of the FBI in their back pockets. I won’t be safe anywhere.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, lady. You’re safe here. With me.” Yeah, I had plenty of guns in the house, all of which I’d need to ensure were locked up because of Cally.

She moved away, holding her glass close to her face. Soon we’d perfect the art of silence. I was beginning to hate it with everything I had inside of me. “I don’t want you hurt. Your brothers either.”

“You don’t know my brothers very well. Maybe we’ll have to change that. There are things that can be done to ensure Joel won’t be able to find you and if he does, I assure you the sheriff will have his ass locked up.”

“I don’t know if I can do that.”

“Then you’re going to allow him to win by running.”

“Which is exactly what you did, right?”

Ouch. “I deserved that.”

“No, you didn’t.”

Yeah, I did. I closed my eyes, rubbing my hand through my beard. “I have friends who can help.”

“No one can help. No one.” When she turned around to face me, she tilted her head to the side. “Is the hot tub on because I’m freezing.” She took a purposeful step away, crossing her arms over her chest and making a ‘brr’ sound.

Lord, God above. We could go from having a frank, difficult conversation to overheated in the matter of seconds. That intrigued the fuck out of me. She had two distinct sides.

Just like I did.

And tonight, I planned on taking full advantage of this one. Who wouldn’t?

But after tonight, I would hunt the fucker down.

“Yeah, it’s on. And very hot. Just like someone standing in front of me.” To prove a point, I moved to the cover, flipping it off in two moves. Steam rose into the air.

She cocked her pretty little head, daring to fold her arms. I reached down to the controls, turning on the colorful lights and the jets. Within a few seconds, the water was bubbling.

“Do you think that’s hot enough for you, little lady?”

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