Page 85 of Jagger

“Like an arranged marriage? Is that what you’re thinking?” Shephard wiped his mouth with his sleeve, sitting back in his seat after doing so.

“Yeah.”

“She’s still married?”

I glanced at Hunter. “For now. They are legally separated and the divorce should be final any time, but yeah, still married.”

“You know the fact you’re hooking up could create difficulties for Bella.” Shephard waited so I’d absorb what he was saying.

“We’re not hooking up.” I felt the agitation rising.

“Then what are you doing?” Hunter had a damn smile on his face.

“Trying to learn to live again.” My answer was at least honest. “And I am going to protect her. No matter what it takes or what it means to my life.”

Shephard raised his glass. “A toast, Hunter. To our brother who just returned to life.”

CHAPTER 23

Jagger

Maybe neither one of them understood what lengths I would go to in order to keep Bella and Cally safe.

“The bastard had already texted and called her, threatening her,” I added to the conversation. “I think it’s only a matter of time until he does everything he can to track her down. He had ammunition to try and take Cally away and from what she’s told me, he’ll make good on his threats.”

“Is he the child’s biological father?” my older brother pushed.

“No. And he didn’t legally adopt Cally, but is trying to push that through the court systems as well. I think he and his father own people in Baltimore. They will try and get it shoved through. That will devastate Bella. I won’t allow it to happen.”

“Blackmail is a powerful tool.” Shephard looked away. “You know, maybe Denise can help. She’s from Charlotte but maybe she knows something about the Brockfords.”

“No,” I said way too vehemently. “Not that I don’t trust Denise, but I want to keep this between us for now. Until we see what we’re dealing with.”

Shep was none too happy, but nodded.

“The boy is in love.”

I knew Hunter was just messing with me, but his frivolous attitude was the last thing I wanted to hear. “She’s a good person. She doesn’t deserve to lose her career and her daughter over a two-timing asshole.”

Shephard nodded. “Agreed. What do you need from us?”

“You guys have deeper contacts than I have. I want every scrap of dirt found out on the Brockford family.”

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Hunter was asking himself more than he was of either one of us.

“Big names in Baltimore. I don’t know otherwise. All I’ve found is glow and show. But they’re both associated with some corporate moguls accused of a few crimes of their own. A lot of corruption in Baltimore.”

“Birds of a feather…” Shephard didn’t need to finish the statement.

“What happened to your people, Jagger? Your handler should be able to help provide some information.” Hunter lifted his eyebrows after asking the question.

I twirled the glass on the table. “Let’s just say I burned a bridge or two.” And I had. There was no way I could go back to the organization I worked for as a mercenary and when I’d beendischarged from the Army, pretty much everyone was glad to see me go.

“You do care about this girl. Don’t you?” Shephard gave Hunter a hard look as if cautioning him to lose the jokes.

“Yeah, I do. She makes me feel alive again. I can’t explain it.”

Shephard’s smile was almost embarrassing. “You never will, not really. When you’re used to living alone for so long, having someone invade your space leaves you anxious at first, breathless the next, and finally you find yourself head over heels in love. And you don’t even know how you got there.”

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