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“Yeah.”
My blood chilled in my veins. What kind of father kidnapped his son and forced him to be the bait to capture and sell kids? Nausea swam up my throat, my stomach churned, and I swallowed my fear.
“He’s never going to stop looking for you, is he?”
Jagger licked his lips, and his icy blues flashed darkly. “No. And in some ways, Ari, I’m just as much a monster as he is. I should have walked away when I saw you alive and well. I’m too selfish of a bastard to let you go again, though. I’m risking your safety, yet I did it anyway.”
“Why would you not tell me he’s your father or that the danger isn’t over?” My legs trembled, and I wished like hell we didn’t have an audience.
“Because I stupidly thought I’d won and he’d moved on. I’m sorry, Ari.”
I dropped my hands and focused on my feet, my heart in my throat. My mind reeled as I recalled our conversation in the locker room when Jagger told me what Psycho had put him through. His nickname fit him. My skin buzzed with anxiety as I muddled through the possibilities. I could wish Jagger good luck and walk out that door or stay. But there was only one choice to make. Deep in my gut, I knew I would never turn away from Jagger any more than he would me. I loved him with every cell in my body and would do everything possible to end his nightmare.
I took a long, calming breath and wiped my sweaty palms on my black skinny jeans. “How do we take the son of a bitch out? The sooner he and Crimson are dealt with, the sooner Jag and I can move on with our lives . . .” I looked at Jagger. “Together.”
A relieved smile eased across his handsome face.
“Hell, yeah. Jag, you got you a fine bitch, man.” Tiny held up his beer before he took a swig.
I ground my teeth. “Bitch?”
“Uh, shit. No disrespect, Ari. I meant it as a compliment.” Tiny flashed me a grin.
I wasn’t certain how to take it, but I had other things to do than get my feathers ruffled.
“I need to make sure I’m clear. If Psycho is Jagger’s biological father, then who is Crimson?” My attention bounced from each man, then landed on my stepbrother.
“Psycho’s partner,” Gunner responded. “They work together.”
The sudden realization disoriented me. “I’m in danger because I’m associated with Jagger, not because I’m Ariana Ellison, daughter of the tech god,” I mumbled, thinking the situation through.
“Yup,” Cupcake said, finally chiming in. “They’re known across the world for being crazy ass fuckers. They won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your head to get to Jag. Shit, I was shocked Psycho didn’t end Jagger with that shot he took, but I don’t think that’s what he wants.”
My vision blurred and my pulse pounded in my ears. Pain gripped my heart and injected me with its ugly poison.
“He wants Jagger to work for him again,” I managed, my voice hovering above a whisper.
A low whistle filled the room, and I snapped my attention to Cupcake. “Dude, you haven’t fucking told her yet?”
The color drained from Jagger’s cheeks, and his shoulders visibly tensed.
“What. Is. It? Tell me now, Jagger.” I fisted my hands, willing myself to remain standing upright.
ChapterThirty-Eight
Jagger
This wasn’t how I wanted shit to go down. Not even close. When I moved to Whitmore to play ball, Gunner and I figured out exactly how to handle the situation in case Psycho came after me. I hadn’t ever disclosed it to anyone other than my uncle, but he had shared the information with a few of his men, including Tiny and Cupcake.
My gut twisted into knots as Ari glowered at me. “Ari, I had to prepare for any possibility. Now that he’s back and so are you, this has to end.”
Ari’s baby blues glared hate fire in my direction. Hell, at this point, I fucking deserved it. Too bad it didn’t change anything.
“You’re going to put yourself out there and bait him, aren’t you?” Her nostrils flared.
Guilt—my constant companion—reared its ugly head right along with the shame. “I know it sounds fucked up, and it is. But I’m the best chance to take the fucker out. Crimson too. I won’t be alone.”
“Hell no. We’re not letting our guy go out there solo. We’ll have his back from every direction. As soon as we have clear shots, we’ll take him out. We’ve already tracked Crimson to a place a few hours from here. She’ll be easy to deal with after she gets the news that Psycho is dead. Those two have no fucking feelings or conscience except for each other. Craziest shit I’ve ever seen,” Tiny said.
