Page 66 of Done Waiting

Dropping her hand, I spin around, my feet pounding down the stairs, my hands balled into fists. When I reach the bottom, I head directly for the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water and another beer. As I straighten and spin around, Maddie is in front of me, a guilty look on her face.

“Jagger.” She reaches out a hand, gently grabbing my uninjured arm. “You didn’t do it, did you?” She bites her lip, fear in her eyes as she blinks, staring at me.

“You’re asking if I raped and strangled that woman in the woods.” Looming over her, she drops her hand from my arm, taking a step back and another as I keep advancing, matching her step for step. She stops when she bumps into my table. Averting her eyes, she swallows hard. “You already know the answer, Maddie.” Thrusting the bottle of water toward her, I spin around, heading for the door just as the doorbell rings.

As I walk away, I say, “I went after a drug dealer tonight. He infiltrated Falls Creek with fentanyl laced drugs. Only, his second-in-command was also there, as well as two bodyguards.I didn’t count on all four of them being there, hence the stab wounds.

Her voice trails after me. “Isn’t that dangerous as hell?”

“Clearly.” I throw her a look, pulling my phone from my pocket, entering the code to deactivate my alarm and unlock the front door. Grabbing the doorknob, I pull it open, my sister’s scowling face the first one I see. Her husband and my best friend, Bryce, stands directly behind her. Beside him is Jason, my brother, grinning like the betraying fuck-face asshole he is.

“Hey, Abby. Bryce.” I don’t greet Jason, still pissed he called Abby. She’s pregnant and didn’t need to be woken up at this ungodly hour of the morning. Opening the door wider, I step back so they can come in.

“I’m so damn mad at you, Jagger.” Abby’s finger pokes me in the center of my chest. “You’re lucky I love you so much or I’d hit you right now.”

Glancing at Maddie, who has moved closer, I grin. “Seems to be a common theme tonight for me.”

Abby’s head turns, brown ponytail swinging as she takes in Maddie, who shifts her weight from foot to foot under her scrutinizing gaze. “I like you, already.” Strolling forward, she immediately heads to Maddie, extending her hand. “Hi, I’m Abby. Jagger and Jason’s sister. I work as an emergency room nurse at Falls Creek Hospital. Many times, I nurse these three fools back to health when they get injured from the shit they do.” She throws an annoyed glance at the men, staring each one down for a few seconds, before turning her attention back to Maddie. “Although Bryce is the tech guy and usually avoids the crazy situations the other two fools get themselves into.” She rolls her eyes, then smiles.

Maddie glances at me, then at Abby before taking her extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Abby. I’m Maddie.” She shakes Abby’s hand. “I’m not sure what to say about thefoolishness they get into, since I don’t know much other than Jagger was stabbed tonight.” She throws me an angry glare before her her gaze drops to Abby’s very pregnant belly. “Looks like you’ll be welcoming a new addition, soon.”

Abby’s face glows, her hand rubbing over her belly. “Bryce and I will get to meet her around Christmas. We’re so excited.” She turns around, smiling at Bryce and beckoning him closer.

“Hey, Jagger.” He pats my shoulder. “Told you that you couldn’t keep your injuries from Abby.” As he heads to Abby, Jason steps up to me.

“Bryce knew you were stabbed before you told me? Fucking asshole.” Jason grumbles.

Laughing, I clap my hand against his shoulder. “You’re always the last to know everything.”

“You’re an asshole.” Jason shakes his head, his gaze moving to Maddie, Abby, and Bryce. As I turn my attention to the three of them, my eyebrows raise when I see Abby hugging Maddie. A small gasp of surprise leaves her mouth before she hugs her back. Her eyes meet mine before she steps back, as though gauging my reaction.

Then Abby opens her mouth and pisses me off. “You’re lucky, Jagger. Maddie looks pretty good, considering the ketamine.”

I frown at Abby, shooting her a warning look. She’s not at all intimidated.

Maddie draws back like someone slapped her. Her disbelieving eyes lock on me and for a brief moment, I feel my heart squeeze inside my chest at the look of betrayal on her face. She stiffens, angrily shaking her head as her mouth forms a round “O.” Her stare is intense and cold as she snaps, “What the hell is ketamine?”

Fuck. I hadn’t told her about it yet. I was too busy arguing with her or fingering her.

“Jagger,” her voice is full of warning.

Abby speaks before I say one word. “It’s a dissociative drug that can cause hallucinations or a dream-like state. It often makes users feel happy and relaxed—”

“That’s enough, Abby.” My voice cuts through the room as I glare at my sister. Turning my gaze to Maddie’s pale face, I say, “I had to do it, Maddie. You were panicking—”

“I just saw a woman raped and strangled to death. Of course I was panicking.” Tears are in her eyes. “I can’t believe you, Jagger.” Her hands press against her trembling lips, a faraway look in her eyes. I know she’s remembering the moment I grabbed her, then injected a needle into her shoulder muscle.

She pushes past Abby and Bryce, a deeply pained look on her face. “How could you?” The look of betrayal on her face nearly kills me. She tries to rush past me but I reach out, my grip like iron as my hand curls around her arm.

“Excuse us,” I say to the Abby, Bryce, and Jason without taking my eyes from Maddie. I drag her down the hallway, then push her into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. Removing my hand from her arm, I run my fingers through my hair, hating we are having this discussion right now. “Look, I know you’re upset.”

“You’re damn right I’m upset.” She blinks, tears rolling down her cheeks. Disbelief is on her face as she crosses her arms, as though shielding her body. “I trusted you.”

Her words piss me off. “Do you?” Stepping into her space, I tower over her. “You thought I was capable of raping and strangling a woman in the woods.”

She blanches, trying to take a step back, but I push her against the counter, caging her in with my arms. “No, Maddie. You aren’t going to run from this. You’re going to hear me out.”

She shocks me when her hands cup my face. “I’m sorry for thinking it was you. I didn’t remember—”

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