Page 113 of Done Waiting

When the silence drags on, and I still haven’t spoken, Jagger’s obsidian eyes flit to mine, and he levels me with that intense look that never fails to make me shiver with excitement despite my concern for him. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine.” He stifles a yawn.

“No, you’re not, Jagger. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard since Ben sent that video and called a week ago.”

He opens his mouth, but the ringing of his cell phone beside him interrupts whatever he’s about to say. Grabbing it, he presses the button to answer. “Hey, Jason. Any updates?”

The sound of a vehicle engine drifts through the phone. “Unfortunately, yes. We found the girl’s body that was in the video. She was brutally tortured, with multiple stab wounds,contusions, and burns on her body.” Jason lets out a long sigh. “We took pictures and a video. Bryce is working on sending it to you now.”

“Where did you find her?” Jagger’s eyes are locked on mine, watching my expression. His face wrinkles with worry.

“In the woods about an hour and a half from your cabin.”

“Nowhere near campus, his previous stomping ground,” Bryce says into the phone. “He knows the campus is being scrutinized. He’s not taking any chances.” We hear Bryce’s fingers flying over the keys. “I just sent the pics and video. Maddie, it’s gruesome as hell. I’d suggest letting Jagger look at it before you view it.”

Leaning back in my chair, guilt gnaws at my chest. “Thanks, Bryce.” My stomach churns at the horrors that my mind conjures up.

“It’s not your fault, baby girl,” Jagger whispers. “This is on all that sick fucker.”

I know he’s right, but I can’t help feeling guilty.

“Mads. How ya doing?” Jason’s voice is teasing, trying to distract me from the morbid conversation. “I have Bryce watching your friend Ashlynn’s apartment. She’s a hottie.”

I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face, which widens when I hear Bryce protest. “I’m not watching her, Maddie. Jason is the one stalking her, not me.”

Grabbing my coffee mug, I take another sip before answering. “This isn’t going to end well. Jason’s probably going to get punched in the balls before the police take his ass to jail for stalking.”

Bryce laughs while Jason immediately protests. “Come on, Mads. I have more skills than that. Jagger’s been giving me lessons—”

Jagger snorts. “I have not, asshole. If I were giving you lessons, it would be on how not to be an annoying fucker.”

The three of us laugh as Jason whines, “That hurts, brother. Everyone is ganging up on me.”

Shaking my head, I steer the conversation back to the most pressing topic—my crazy ex. “Did you figure out why my psycho ex dumped her body there? Any cabins or anything nearby?”

A growl draws my attention to Jagger. “I fucking hate that he’s your ex,” he complains. “I hate that you were involved withanyoneexcept me.”

My body heats from his possessive stare. I immediately get up and walk about the table. He shoves his chair back as I get closer, and I straddle his lap, feeling his dick thicken beneath me. “You’ve erased everyone before you.” My hands cup his face as I kiss him, feeling his muscles loosen as he responds to my words and touch.

Bryce’s voice breaks through my lust-induced haze. “We didn’t see anything in the immediate area, but we didn’t get a chance to look. Two guys were running on a trail through the woods. When they saw her mutilated body, they freaked out. One was puking while the other nearly passed out when they spotted her remains. Jason and I snuck off as they were calling 9-1-1.”

My body slumps against Jagger, my lips against his neck. “I hate this,” I whisper against his skin. “Innocent people dying because of… me.”

“I know, baby girl. But they aren’t dying because of you. It’s because ofhim.” His hands soothe me, rubbing my back. “We’ll find him and stop him.”

Still slumped against him, I let his words wash over me, his promise hanging in the air. I know Jagger will eventually get his hands on Ben, but at what cost?

“Did Ben send you any more texts or videos, Jagger?” Jason asks, the sound of his engine coming through the phone.

Jagger shifts, rechecking his phone. “Nope.”

I pull back, my gaze landing on his phone. “Can I…” I swallow hard. “Watch the video? Maybe I can see something that might help.”

Ebony eyes bore into me, silence hanging between us, making me shift uncomfortably on his lap. Usually, that would get Jagger wound up, but not today. He’s too focused on whatever is in the horrific video and my possible reaction to you.

Finally, Jagger says, “As long as you focus on studying Ben and the background more than what he’s doing to her. Look for anything you recognize or something that seems out of his character based on what you know about him.”

“Okay.”

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