Page 81 of Done Waiting

I nod. “I was definitely daddy’s girl.” Images of my dad’s face roll through my mind, making me sentimental—and sad.

As I look around Jagger’s enormous garage, I raise my brows at him as he exits the Mustang. “I didn’t realize you had a motorcycle.”I wonder how many times he stalked me on his bike?

He grins, his eyes moving to the motorcycle. “Yup. I’ll take you for a ride sometime if you want.”

“Hell, yes. I used to ride on the back of my dad’s bike.”

“I know. I saw the two of you going for ice cream.”

Laughing as he approaches, I swat his chest. “Stalker.”

He gives me a shit-eating grin before growing serious. “Do you need anything from your car?”

“Yes, my backpack with my laptop is in there.” I point to the passenger seat. “Also, remember when we discussed the roses and note?”

Jagger nods, already moving to the passenger side of the car. Opening the door, he grabs my backpack, handing it to me, then slides the seat forward, revealing the withered roses on the floor. Jagger squats down, examining them, probably to determine if they look like the melody roses from the rosebush behind my childhood home.

Jagger stands, taking my backpack from me and swinging it over his shoulder. He grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers, leading me toward the house. We head inside, Jagger filling Jason in on what I told him about the roses and note, as well asthe article about Falls Creek having a serial killer. “I’m sure it was Ben. The question is, why?”

Jason’s face is concerned. “Show me the article and note.”

Handing Jason the newspaper article from my backpack, I tell him about the incident at the bookstore, coming out of the restroom to find it lying on my purse. I gave him an overview of Ben telling me Katie Michaels was in his class and he was working on a group project with her. Then I tell Jason about the roses left on my windshield and hand him the note that simply says, “Soon.”

Jason examines it. “Regarding the newspaper article…” He holds it up. “It sounds to me like Ben was taunting you.” Jason’s gaze moves from me to Jagger. “Do you agree?”

“One hundred percent.”

My head moves between the two of them, and I see them exchange a look.

“What is it, guys?” Trepidation courses through me.

Jason nods at Jagger.

Jagger’s eyes drop to mine, his hand squeezing my thigh. “We’re nearly certain he was stalking you.” Taking a deep breath, he exhales. “You’re his end game, Maddie. We just aren’t sure exactly what game he’s playing.”

Fear slithers through me like a sidewinder. “Obviously, the girls he… assaulted… resemble me.”

Jagger nods. “We think he was ‘practicing’ on the others. He has a bigger goal in mind, and it involves you. We don’t know exactly why he was targeting others when he was not only dating but living with you. You were an easy target.”

Bile rises in my throat as the word, “target” repeats over and over inside my head like an echo in a cave.

Swallowing hard, I stare at the floor for a few minutes before my gaze lifts to Jagger. “I don’t know why I’d be his end game.”

Jagger’s hand tightens on my leg. “We’re working on that.” His eyes reassure me he’ll do anything to keep me safe. “We’ll figure it out and stop him, baby girl.”

As I burrow into his chest, it’s not just because I’m terrified of Ben’s plans for me.

For the first time since I’ve met Jagger, there’s a seed of doubt that he won’t be able to keep me safe.

32

MADISON

Leaning my head back on the sofa, I stare at the orange and blue flames in the fireplace, my mind spinning from Jagger’s words about Ben. The same question keeps echoing inside my head.Why me?

Jagger comes back inside, having walked Jason out to the rollback. His boots thud over the hardwood floor, coming closer.

Leaning over the back of the couch, his hot breath flows over my ear as he whispers, “You better run.”

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