Page 93 of Jagger

I could tell he was surprised my tone was biting. So what? I was finished with being told what to do.

He took his time, acting as if what he was about to tell me was gospel. “My advice is to get out of town when you can.”

Admittedly, I hadn’t planned on laughing, but since I’d never met him, I wondered why he felt compelled to assert whatever authority he had. “I’m curious, Sheriff. Why?”

“You seem like a nice girl, Bella, although it’s obvious you’re hiding a dubious past. Everyone knows that.”

“There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t harbor some dark secrets. I have a feeling you have more than one.”

The man didn’t like my answer, his entire face darkening more than his eyes had before. “I know you’re shacking up with Jagger Fox. You should learn to choose your companions more wisely. The man is bad news.”

“And why is that?”

“Because he’s killed people. Lots of innocent people.”

“Haven’t you, Sheriff?” As before, he was put off by my question.

His anger exploded and even though he was fighting to keep from making a scene, he threw his index finger in front of my face. “If you don’t want your entire life destroyed, I suggest you heed my advice. You have a little girl to consider.”

I’d been challenged so many times by arrogant pricks who thought they were holier than thou that my reaction was second nature and done without thinking. I was in his face, only a few centimeters away. The man was repulsive, his strong aftershave disgusting. While parts of my body were shaking, I refused to allow him to know he’d bothered me to any degree.

“I suggest you back off, Sheriff. I’m not the wayward waif you might believe I am. I can take care of myself and the people I care about, including Jagger Fox. And especially my daughter. No one will ever try and hurt them, or I will retaliate. And no, that’s not a threat. That’s a promise.”

He took a deep breath, but it took him a few seconds to do so. “Be very careful, Ms. Winters. I have family in Baltimore. But you should really be careful of Jagger. The man is a true monster.”

The last threat stole my breath. He grinned since he obviously noticed the sudden fear creeping into my system. With that, he backed away, tipping his ugly cowboy-style hat.

“Have a good day now, Ms. Winters. Just remember what I said.”

Oh, I would. Only nothing was going to stop me any longer from getting what I wanted.

At least the asshole helped me make my decision. As he walked away, I took another deep breath of the air in the small town. I deserved happiness. I was more determined than ever that no one was going to derail my world.

Not for another second.

CHAPTER 26

Jagger

Bella was late.

No, I hadn’t tried to call her. I’d given her space, which was what she said she needed. More. Fucking. Space.

Meanwhile, I was ready to burn down the entire town in order to find her.

I’d been pacing the floor, my mind drifting to the worst possibilities. Had something happened to her?

The moment the door was thrown open, utter relief flooded through me.

“What the hell is it with this town?” Bella huffed as soon as she walked inside the front door of the cabin. She walked toward the kitchen with a pie in her hand, grumbling the entire time.

“Not sure what you mean.”

“I mean some of the people are amazing, but not all of them.” She’d returned to the room, her entire body as tense as mine.

All I’d thought about the couple of hours she’d been gone was how to protect her. I’d even put in a call to an old contact, an act I considered one of desperation.

Or a telling moment I was in extreme danger.

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