Page 108 of Done Waiting

Jagger hits the button on his phone, his voice full of rage and annoyance when he snaps, “Do you find talking to me more interesting than playing with your newest toy, you sick fuck?”

Ben releases an evil laugh that chills me to the bone as his voice booms through the phone. “You received my video message, huh?”

Jagger grips the knife in his other hand so tightly his knuckles are white. “Get to the fucking point. What the fuck do you want?”

Ben makes a tsking noise. “Impatient, Jagger.” His evil chuckle cuts off and his voice changes, becoming hard. Stilted. “Are you enjoying Maddie?”

A wide smile curves Jagger’s lips. Setting the knife on the counter, he turns to me. Victory is in his eyes as he says, “Every fucking second I’m with her.” He winks at me. “And she’s enjoying me immensely if the permanent smile on her face and her screams and whimpers of pleasure are any indications.”

I slap my hand over my mouth, trying to keep my laughter from escaping since Ben is on speakerphone.Sick burn, Jagger.

Ben growls through the phone, reminding me of a wild animal ready to attack. My eyebrows shoot up as I look at Jagger. Ben was never this into me when we were together.Why now?

Jagger’s smile is smug as he says, “What the fuck do you want, Ben? You aren’t getting Maddie, so you’re wasting your time there.”

“I wouldn’t get too cocky, Jagger. This is only the beginning.” Ben growls.

“The beginning of what? You calling and making idle threats? Why don’t you man up and face me?”

“Patience, Jagger. Good things come—”

He cuts him off. “I already have the best thing.Her. And youaren’ttouching her asshole. She’smine.” Seething from rage, Jagger’s chest rises from his heavy breathing, his white knuckles clenching the phone. I’m surprised he hasn’t broken it. The look on his face is animalistic, as though he’s ready to attack and destroy the whole damn world.

Moving closer, my hand gently glides up his bare chest, stopping over his pounding heart. “Don’t let him get to you,” I mouth. “I love you.”

Jagger’s nod is subtle, his coiled muscles loosening as he mouths to me, “I love you.”

Ben’s low, threatening tone brings me back to the reality that my psycho ex-boyfriend wants to murder me. “That’s what you think, Jagger.” His malicious laugh fills the kitchen, making me tremble.

I hate it.

I hatehimfor taking away my safety.

“Iwillhave her. She’s part of my plan… Just like she’s a part ofyours.” Then the line goes dead.

Jagger takes a deep, pained breath, closing his eyes. My gaze bores into him, willing his eyes to open so I can see the truth in his dark orbs.

After a few beats, his eyelids open, obsidian eyes clashing with mine. He shoves his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants. His shoulders draw up as he stills, the silence heavy between us.

My jaw and fists are clenched, my eyes narrowed accusingly. “What the hell did Ben mean byShe’s a part of my plan… Just like she’s a part of yours?”

“I can’t speak for his plans… But I need to tell you something.” The guilty look on his face makes my stomach twist in knots.

This can’t be good.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I glower at him. “Tell me.”

“When I first started stalking you… You were a part of my plan to destroy the one person who hurt me worse than anyone. The person who deserves my wrath more than anyone else.”

My mind swims from confusion, baffled over who I may know that is somehow connected to him.

“I wanted revenge against the person who ruined my life. Stole my innocence. Set my world on fire and was prepared to watch it burn.” Pausing, he adds, “The social worker that betrayed me…”

Shifting my weight, I lean forward slightly. “Yes?”

His Adam’s Apple bobs as he audibly swallows. “Maura Hendricks, who later became Maura Jacobs. Your mother.”

The world tilts and wobbles as I grab onto the counter, darkness edging my vision.

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