Page 117 of Done Waiting

Tears course down my face. In the short time I’ve known Abby, she’s not only become a friend, but she’s like the sister I never had.

Shooting up from the bed, horror fills me as I get to my feet. The room tilts, spinning violently. I ran to the bathroom, feeling sick.

Gripping onto the counter, my breaths heave in and out of my lungs as I try to control the nausea swirling inside me. Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow hard, fighting to keep it down.This is all my fault. I was the one who dated Ben, and now look what’s happening.

I smell his leather, cinnamon, and cigarette smell seconds before his arms wrap around me. “Baby girl. Please, don’t.” His head lowers to my shoulder, raining kisses against it. “We’ll get her back. I promise.”

We may, but will she be unharmed? Or will that bastard torture and rape her, doing irreparable damage to her before we can rescue her?

And if they don’t give in to Ben’s demands, we may not get Abby back.

Turning into his embrace, I cling to him, unable to say a word as my body shakes, unable to see him clearly because of my tears. His arms cage me, holding me tightly as his face lowers to my hair. His body trembles, and I hear him sniff.

God, stop it, Maddie. Jagger needs you. That’s his sister.

“Jagger, we have to make the trade. There’s no other op—”

“No,” he roars, his voice so loud my ears ring. “What fucking good will that do? I don’t fucking trust him.”

“She’s your sister,” my eyes pleading. “I can’t… If anything happens to her…”

“I know she’s my sister.” The rage in his voice is barely constrained. “Have you considered this could be a trap? That he won’t give up Abby and will only take you, too?”

My heart stutters inside my chest. “I don’t think that’s the case. I think he’ll make the trade—”

“Why?” Jagger roars. “Because you know him so well? Maddie, you didn’t even know you were fucking a serial killer.”

My loud gasp fills the room, and I rear back as though he slapped me across the face. “How dare you?” My entire body shakes from my rage and the sting of betrayal from his harsh words.

Jagger’s expression is contrite, but it’s too late. Anger flows through my veins like lava. I try shoving him away from me, but he doesn’t move. When he doesn’t release me, the loud sting of my hand across his cheek punctuates the room. His body goes still before he slowly raises his hand to his cheek. His eyes drop to mine, and I shake from the fear coursing through me as he glowers at me.

My trembling hands cover my mouth. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“What I said was uncalled for. But so was that slap.” He moves his hand from his cheek, an angry red handprint shockingly bright against his pale skin.

Wrapping my hand around his wrist, my eyes beseech him to forgive me. “That was wrong. I just… Freaked out.” My head hangs in shame, regret heavy in my heart. Taking a breath, I can’t fill my lungs with air because of the self-loathing that runs through me.

His hand moves to my neck, drawing my eyes to his. “I’ll forgive you—this time. I know you’re upset. I’d never hurt you, and even though the hit stung, it hurt my pride worse than my face. Don’t do it again.”

I nod as best I can, considering his hand is around my neck. He releases his hold, his arms sliding around me. Collapsing in his arms, I cling to him, raining kisses over his heart. “I’m sorry,” I whisper over and over. The last thing we need is to bedriven apart by this. Abby’s life—and the life of her unborn child—hangs in the balance.

His arms tighten around me, and his finger moves beneath my chin, lifting my face to his. “It’s okay, baby girl.” He peppers my forehead with kisses. “But consider that your only warning.”

The tension in my body releases, gratitude filling me. “I love you. I…” Pushing a lock of hair from my face, I clear my throat. “I need to get it together. I’m just… so fucking scared for her.”

“I know.” His face is drawn and pale. “I am, too.” His arms shake around me, ratcheting up my fear… Seeing his confidence slip shakes me to my core.

“What do we do?” I whisper.

Jagger’s eyes meet mine. “Let’s get dressed and go downstairs. Jason is on his way to Bryce’s house. I want to call him and see if he knows how to proceed.”

Following Jagger out of the bathroom, my hand clasped in his, he leads me to the bedroom. As I hurriedly dress, I shoot looks at this terse expression. His muscles are tightly coiled. I’m surprised they don’t explode.

“Thank you for moving my clothing up here with yours. It means a lot to me.”

Jagger’s expression softens, and a small smile tugs his lips up. “Of course. What’s mine is yours, baby girl.”

A smile crosses my lips as I study him. My words did what I needed them to do. I need Jagger back in control, coming up with a plan to get Abby back.

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