Page 95 of Jolt's Vengeance

It's gone before I can place it.

"Ah, well," she says, forcing a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes, "I'm just enjoyin' the peace while it lasts. Ye know how wild it gets with my family."

I chuckle, but inside, my mind is racing.

Something's off with her, has been for a while now.

Is it the holidays?

Being back in Montana?

Or is it from what she went through back in Vegas?

I want to ask, to pry open whatever's troubling her, but I hold back.

Aggie's tough as nails, a firecracker who can handle herself.

If she wants to talk, she will.

Instead, I pull her closer, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

"Well, I'm glad I get you all to myself for now. Though I gotta say, I'm a little nervous about tomorrow. Your family's... intense."

Aggie laughs, a genuine sound that eases some of my worry. "Aye, that they are. But they'll love ye, Jack. Just be yerself. Hell, Conrad will adore you. He’s vastly outnumbered."

Conrad, her little brother.

I think Aggie said he’s about six now.

"You mean the charming, devastatingly handsome biker?" I wiggle my eyebrows at her, earning me a playful swat on the chest.

"I mean the sweet, caring man I fell in love with," she says softly, her fingers tracing the tribal tattoos on my arm.

Her words warm me more than the fire ever could.

I cup her face gently, marveling at how this fierce, independent woman has captured my heart so completely. "Ilove you too, Aggie. More than I ever thought possible. I love you enough to tell something’s bothering you."

Aggie's gaze meets mine, and I see a flicker of something. "Aye, just... rememberin', I suppose."

I wait, giving her space to continue if she wants.

After a moment, she does.

"Christmas Eve is always a weird day for me. Tomorrow is one of the days I remember my biological father beating my mother. I think I remember because of the bloody holiday, and it's tainted Christmas for me ever since."

My gut clenches at her words. I knew Aggie had a rough past, but hearing her say it so plainly.

"Jesus, Aggie," I breathe, pulling her closer. "I'm so sorry."

She shakes her head, blonde hair brushing against my chest. "Don't be. It's in the past."

But I can feel the tension in her body, hear the slight tremor in her voice.

This isn't just in the past for her.

It's still raw, still haunting her.

I run my fingers through her hair, wishing I could erase those memories for her. "You don't have to pretend it doesn't affect you, Ghost. Not with me."

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