Page 32 of Jagger
More importantly, he's alone.
The parking lot is empty apart from the desk clerk's car, and another car is parked directly behind Colton. Could it be Jagger?
If I open the door, no one can help me if Colton tries anything.
"Listen, I know you're probably scared, but I won't hurt you." Colton's voice softens. "Let me take you home."
But I've seen enough horror movies to know better. There's no way I'm leaving with him.
I collapse onto the bed, wishing the ground would open and give me another exit. I'm not the sort of girl who climbs throughtiny bathroom windows, but one thing is for sure—I need to leave.
"No." I straighten my shoulders as Colton groans. "No, thank you."
"Alright," Colton says dejectedly. "Listen, are you coming back to school?"
"Yes," I reply. "Can you leave?"
I just want him to go.
I don't know why I said yes when I have zero intention of going back to school. I've given up on the life where I build a career for myself and make a ton of money.
I'm the girl who's been left to fend for herself for years, the one who was abused over and over because she wanted someone to love her.
Even Jagger—no, ofcourse,Jagger did that. Because he's evil. The thought of Aphrodite coming back and finding out that Jagger paid to rape me, that he paid my ex, as far as Aphrodite was concerned, to do that was opening a can of worms I couldn't face.
Iwantto leave. I want to leave and never come back, but the thought of never seeing Aphrodite again kills me. Plus, Lawson knows where I am, and even though he left, I know he can come back at any time. Look how easy it was for him last time.
I need to hide until Aphrodite comes back. But where?
Then I remember the school basement. Could I hide there? Is it too risky? What if Jagger took another girl down there?
How long until Aphrodite comes home?
Questions swirl around my head until I fall back onto the bed, exhausted. My body may have healed from Jagger's assault, but my mind hasn't. I'm still stuck in flight or fight mode, sweat dripping down my back, my stomach clenched. My heart races, but I relax when I hear Colton's car start and leave.
Only then do I sleep.
17
JAGGER
I stare at the motel door, leaning against my car until I can't take it anymore. I push off from the car and stride to the door, slamming my hand against it.
"Molly."
Nothing. What did I expect, her opening the door with a massive grin?
"Molly, open the goddamn door. I'm not going to hurt you, but I will break this door down if you don't open it."
Colton told me she wouldn't leave this fucking room, and she needs to be somewhere safer than this. Anyone could break the door down.
"Fuck off, Jagger!" Molly screams from inside, making me smile.
There's my girl.
No. Not your girl,I correct myself, reminding myself of what I did to her. I relive it every damn day.
"Three," I count, shaking my head as I back up. "Two."
