Page 55 of Jagger
I laugh at her answering for me, but she's right. Nicole looks wounded, and I have the urge to make her feel better. She was only trying to help.
"It's okay, Nicole," I say with a smile. "Colton and I…no." I wince at the memory of the classroom scene with him and Jagger, then focus on Nicole. "I don't really know Hunter, but the last thing I want is an Archer High boy, no offence to you two."
"None taken, I don't fucking blame you." Aphrodite rolls her eyes. "I had zero intention of ending up with one either."
"But then he saved you in the wilderness!" Nicole gushes, like it's the most romantic story. She sighs and rests her chin on her hand.
Aphrodite's eyes grow misty, and she smiles. "He did."
"And now you're like, a mafia queen," Nicole whispers, her eyes wide. "But I know it must be hard with your parents and all…"
Aphrodite stiffens and nods, rising to her feet. "I need to nip to the ladies." She smiles faintly before heading toward the restrooms, her bodyguard half a step behind her.
I watch her go and then turn to Nicole who looks panic-stricken.
"She isn't ready to talk about them yet," I state, reaching out to rub her hand. "She won't even see a therapist, yet she's forcing me to see one."
Nicole shakes her head and lifts her glass to her lips. "It's so fucking sad. You're both such beautiful, lovely girls. You don't deserve this."
Nicole's lower lip trembles and her eyes water, so I squeeze her hand again. "Hey, look at me." She does, tears spilling from her beautiful eyes. I can't believe how much this upsets her—she barely knew me a month ago.
"Those girls…" Nicole whispers, shaking her head and scrunching her eyes shut. "I see them every night."
My heart aches for her; I see them too.
"How many more are out there?" She shakes her head and knocks back her cocktail. "I'm sorry, you of all people don't need this."
I smile, hoping it reassures her, but I can't find the words.
"Sorry," Nicole apologizes as Aphrodite strides back to the table, a smile fixed on her face.
Aphrodite waves Nicole off. "It's fine!"
The expression on her face is one I've grown to know as her 'war' face. One that means she won't break if you ask her about her family. But neither of us do. Instead, we drink our margaritas in silence before heading to the airport.
28
JAGGER
Wolfe gazes at me from across the room, his eyes hooded as he inhales his spliff. We’re both high as fuck, drunk as skunks and lost to the world. Hours have passed by in silence, but Wolfe has something to say, and alcohol and weed won’t hinder his words.
“Tell me what happened.”
I’m so fucking tired. I’m tired of pretending Molly doesn’t exist, and that we didn’t just murder a load of bad guys. Not that I give a fuck about that—every one of those fuckers deserved to die. But I can’t stop thinking about Molly, and maybe talking to Wolfe is what I need.
Or not.
But I know telling someone will ease my guilty conscience.
“So Lawson took her because I fucking invited him here.”
God, I’m a prick. I suck on my spliff, letting it wash over me, calming my fraught senses. I exhale before continuing. “I made a call to find out where he was.”
“And?”
“And I went to the address. He had a hire car; he’d registered it to the address.” I wave my hand, but my movements feelsluggish. I’m too fucking drunk for this. “He was there. Molly was there too.”
Wolfe’s eyes narrow. “At the address?”
