by Loren, Celia
“Hello Uncle Jagger.” Matty squeaked.
Britton watched the interactions, but had no idea what to make of them. She stepped in to hug Dominic.
“Hey Brit, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Cindy, and our crazy two year old, Mateo…Matty for short.”
Britton couldn’t hide her shock. “Hi. It’s so nice to meet you.” She extended her hand to Cindy, but Cindy instead pulled her into a hug.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Britton. It’s so great to have you as part of the family.”
She looked to Dom. “Why didn’t…”
“You seemed to have a lot to take in yesterday. I didn’t want to give you more to process.”
Jagger was running around with Matty, pretending he was an airplane. They were both laughing.
“He’s really good with him.” Dom pointed out.
“I see that.”
“Hey Jagger!” Dom called after him. “The barbeque is out back.”
“I’ll be right there!”
Cindy, Dominic, and Britton strolled behind the warehouse and were greeted by all of the familiar faces from the day before. Everyone hugged Britton, proclaiming how happy he or she was that she was joining the party today.
Britton looked around, taking in the spectacle. There were games and laughter, and so much food. She suddenly felt her feet lift off the ground and she was cradled in Jagger’s arms.
“I’m sorry, did you want to be Superman too?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She joked.
Jagger laughed and began running around the yard with her still in his arms. He made a round and passed her off to Dom, who continued the journey. Before she knew it, she was tossed from Dom off to a few new friends who she barely knew, but it didn’t matter. Everyone was laughing. Finally she made her way back into Jagger’s arms. She had to catch her breath from laughing so hard. Jagger set her down on her feet and hugged her to him.
“I couldn’t be happier.” He whispered in her ear.
“Me either.” She smiled up at him.
He leaned into her and kissed her. They didn’t care that everyone was watching; their lips needed to meet in that moment. He closed his arms around her and drew her in closer.
“Guys, there are children here.” Dominic teased.
They broke their kiss and started giggling. They didn’t have a care in the world; nothing was bigger than the two of them in that moment.
Everyone sat down at tables and began to eat. Britton caught up with Dominic, asking how him and Cindy met, when they were married, and if they were planning on having any more kids. She couldn’t believe she had a nephew. She watched him stroll around the yard, picking dandelions and throwing them into the wind.
“He’s adorable.”
“He’s a great kid. We’re so lucky.”
“And you don’t worry about what will happen to him if something goes sour here?”
“Of course I do, but Brit, he can have a good life because of the money I make and the time Jagger allows me to spend with him, and that’s the only thing that matters to me.”
“What about Cindy.”
“Cindy doesn’t need to work. I don’t want her to.”
“And she knows about everything you do?”
“This is where we met; she understands this business. And she’s the reason I don’t do more than I already do. But she saw who I was when Jagger brought me in, and who I am now. She knows this place is good for me.”
“Okay.”
“That’s all you’re going to say to that?”
“What more is there? It’s your life. As long as you and your wife are happy, my opinion is obsolete.”
“Thanks sis.”
“You are happy, right?”
“Very.”
“Good.”
One of the other men sped to Jagger’s side and whispered in his ear. Jagger sat up straight, his eyes wide.
“Thank you, I’ll take care of it.” He looked to Dominic. “Get everyone into hiding. We have an intruder.”
Britton caught his worried eyes and reached up for him.
“Britton, please stay with Dom. I’ll take care of this.”
“But, I can help you.”
“No!” His voice boomed. He was serious about this. He didn’t want her anywhere near this possible danger. “Dom, take her.”
Jagger disappeared into the building. Dom quietly rounded everyone up and directed them all into a covered stairwell that went under the building. Britton saw him hug Cindy and promise that everything was okay. He found the light, and the safe room came to life. It was spectacular for being a basement hideout. There were couches and chairs, a dining area, and a kitchen. Everyone chose a seat and sat in silence.
Dom addressed the crowd. “Okay guys, we don’t know exactly what is going on, but Jagger is taking care of it. The walls are thick, so you can talk. This is still a party, so have fun.”
Mumbling spread across the room. It was obviously the first time something like this had happened. Who could it be? How did they find them? What were they looking for?
While Britton wanted to know the answer to these questions too, her main concern was Jagger. He was upstairs, alone. No one was protecting him. Was it another Vegas Motorcycle Club? Was it the police? Was it the FBI? Did Hank rat them out?
Cindy saw the concern on Britton’s face, sat down next to her, and hugged her.
“Jagger is just fine. He’s really good at taking care of himself. And everyone else, for that matter.”
“I know, I just hate that he’s up here by himself.”
“Yes, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Why?”
“Because he could never live with himself if something happened to one of us.”
One by one, people wandered over to Britton to promise her that everything was going to be okay. They told her of Jagger’s heroic stories: how he had saved two of them from a rival gang’s torture with only a pocketknife, how he'd landed on a parked car after jumping out of a building, but then sent that person a brand new car, and how he never stopped speaking of the amazing beauty that he had fallen in love with when he was only seven years old. They were so delighted that she had finally come back to him. They said that while he was a generally happy person, something was always missing from Jagger’s smile. Since Britton walked back into his life, he had finally seemed whole.
Britton loved hearing all of their stories. She loved being surrounded by so many wonderful people. She understood why Jagger called this ‘his family,’ and she felt so honored to be invited into it.
She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a tug at her knee. Britton looked down into the sweet angelic face of her nephew. He had Dominic’s tanned skin and bouncing curls, but Cindy’s striking blue eyes. His pursed lips upturned into a smile and he stretched his arms to her. Britton beamed back and lifted Matty onto her lap. He nestled his head into her chest and stuck his thumb in his mouth, suckling ever so quietly. She lowered her lips to his head and softly kissed his curls.
She felt an aching in her heart that she had never experienced. She'd never wanted children of her own. She resented her childhood enough to refuse to bring another life into this world. Yet, holding her nephew, a small being that shared her blood, felt inspiring. He was happy, and Dominic would make sure that he would never experience the childhood that they did. His kid would want for nothing, especially love. Couldn’t she do the same? Could her and Jagger provide that life for a child of their own?
The door to the safe room swung open, and Jagger walked down the stairs. Everyone ran up to him, asking what had happened. He locked eyes with Britton.
“Everything is okay. Go back to the party. I have a few things to take care of, but none of it means that you all can’t have fun.”
He walked into the crowd and took Dominic by the shoulder. “Keep everyone outside.”
He extended his hand toward Britton, and she rose up to her feet, still
clutching Matty. His lips were tight together, not allowing a smile to escape. “Come with me.”
She handed her now sleeping nephew to Dominic and followed Jagger up the stairs, around the corner, and into the warehouse.
“What's going on?” Britton begged, but Jagger said nothing, only continued walking forward.
He pulled open the wide door, revealing a single chair in the middle of a dark room. There was a man tied to it, a gag in his mouth. Jagger led Britton closer and turned on the lights.
“How did he get here?” Jagger asked.
The man lifted his head, his eyes pleading with Britton.
It was David.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“David!” Britton called as she tried to run toward him. Jagger shot out his powerful arm and stopped her.
“I said: how did he get here?”
“Why would I know?”
“Well I certainly didn’t tell him where our warehouse was located.”
“Neither did I.”
He rolled his fingers around her shoulders, desperately trying to refrain from crushing them beneath his fingertips. “Then enlighten me, Britton. Who told him?”
She wanted to tell him it was Hank. It would be the perfect way to get rid of the only glitch in her operation. She opened her mouth, willing herself to lie, but every ounce of her moral judgment stopped her voice. How could she use someone as a scapegoat only to cover her own tracks? The man had a family, and Britton had no idea what Jagger would do if he thought Hank had betrayed him.
Britton’s thoughts raced faster. Not only that, but Jagger had no knowledge of the connection between Hank and David. If he knew that, he would know that David was with the FBI, and then her cover would be completely blown. She couldn’t believe that she had almost slipped up with that information. How much longer would she be able to juggle all her lies?
“I truly don’t know.” She admitted. It was the honest truth.
David began to squirm. He obviously wanted to say something. He wanted Jagger to let go of Britton. He frantically tried to break his bindings. Jagger stepped forward, amused by his efforts.
“Would you like me to remove the gag from your mouth?”
David ceased his struggle and nodded, feeling defeated. Jagger obliged, and pulled Britton to his side, wrapping his free arm around her waist.
“Do you have something you would like to say to us, David?”
“Get your filthy hands off of her.”
“I don’t think that’s a very nice way to talk to someone who has you tied up.”
“I don’t care what happens to me, just let her go.”
“Well, well, well, we have a martyr here.” He grabbed David’s collar and jammed his fist into his neck. “Now, how did you find us?”
David coughed from the pressure on his throat. He knew if he didn’t give him an answer, Britton would be blamed for releasing his secret. “I have GPS on Britton’s phone.”
“What?” Britton was shocked. “David, why?”
“I wanted to make sure you were safe.”
Jagger released his collar and pushed him back onto the chair. “Give me your phone.”
“Jagger.”
“Britton, this is not a request. Give me your phone.” His voice was deep and haunting.
She fished her phone out of her pocket and handed it to him. He threw it on the ground and crushed it under his boot.
“Jagger, please don’t hurt him.” Britton pleaded with him, unfamiliar with the devilish look in his eye.
“But he knows where my family is.”
“Who is he going to tell?”
“I don’t know, but I need to make sure they’re safe, at all costs.”
“Jagger please…I can’t…” She looked at David’s weakened stature. He had blood on his face and his shirt was torn. “I can’t let you hurt him.”
“This is not your call, Britton.”
“Please, please, I’ll do anything.” She jumped in front of David, protecting him.
Jagger stared at her, confused by her surrender. Why was she doing this? Didn’t she understand the gravity of this situation? That a stranger with an obvious vendetta against him now knew where he operated his business?
He lowered his booming voice. “Britton, please move.”
“No.”
She wasn’t going to budge. He needed a different approach.
“What do you suggest I do?”
“Just let him go.” She came closer to him, hoping to weaken his desire to do harm.
“How can I do that?” He was now pleading with her. His patience was being tried. He eyed David. He never let his guard down around his enemies, but he needed to understand Britton. More so, he needed her to understand him, and his previous tactics were proving to be less than fruitful. Why couldn’t David just have done what he was told and let her alone? This whole situation was completely unnecessary. Why was David being so senseless? There was only one reason why he would…of course.
“Do you love her?”
“Jagger.” Britton attempted to stop his query.
“Do you love Britton?” Jagger’s face was now inches from David’s.
“Yes.” He whispered, and continued to nod while his thoughts took him away.
Britton stared at David, unsure if he was playing the part of her ex-boyfriend, or if her superior actually garnered feelings for her over time. His eyes met hers and her mouth dropped open. David shrugged his shoulders in apology. It was a confession.
Jagger stepped away, silent. Of course he loved her. They had been together for the last four years. But what did that mean? Did Britton love him as well? He wanted Britton all to himself, but was she holding on to some requited love for the man he had forced her to break up with under his supervision? How could he be so stupid, so blind? What he had asked her to do was ridiculous and childish on his part. Why did she go along with it?
“Britton, are you scared of me?” He was coming to a realization.
Britton paused, considering Jagger’s assumption. Had she been truly scared of him and that’s what made her bend to his will? Or had it been her desire to succeed as a field agent that kept her spiraling deeper into his game? Or was it only love? Was it a love she wasn’t able to fight?
He couldn’t handle the seconds of anticipation. Jagger pulled her in, crushing her ribs against his. “Are you scared of me?” He implored.
“I don’t know.” She mouthed as tears sprang from her eyes.
“What?” His voice cracked.
“I don’t know.” She buried her face into his chest. Be it from fear, the operation, or love, there was no one she wanted comforting her in that moment other than Jagger. That was where she wanted to be.
He softened, wishing he could take back the last few days of absurdity, or that he could stop himself from what he was about to do. “Hey.” He lifted up her chin. “Hey.” He smiled at her, hoping she would mirror his expression. “It’s all right. I trust you, okay, with all my heart. Britton, I trust you.” He held her tight to his chest, wanting nothing more than to take all her pain away.
What hurt her most was that he actually shouldn’t trust her. She was only positioned there to get inside information and witness his arrest. He had every right to be nervous and cautious. She was playing him. She should be the one tied to the chair. Instead, he was blinded by love, and she could see how much it hurt him every time he strayed from his trust of her. He was beating himself up about it. His instincts were getting in the way of his heart.
Jagger took a deep breath. “I want you to choose.”
She looked up at him. “Choose what?”
“Me or him?”
“What are you talking about?”
“It was wrong of me to assume that after all these years, we could pick up where we left off. You had a life, and I just barged in and forced you to change it. If you want to be with David,” he fought his words, “I’m not going to stop you.”
Britton was
stunned. Who was this man standing in front of her? From where did this sudden change come? She didn’t want to leave Jagger: not at all. She had a family again, a nephew, and the love of her life. How could she leave all that behind?
“I choose you.” She quietly announced.
Jagger caught his breath, and his whole body relaxed. She wanted him. After everything he had put her through, she still chose him. “I love you.” His smile took over his face and his dimples pierced his cheeks.
She returned his expression. “I love you too.” She ran into his arms, clutching as tight as she could. She never wanted to let him go. “But please, Jagger let David go...for me. He's innocent in all this.”
David had no idea what he was witnessing. How deep had she gotten herself in? Was she actually in love with this monster? Or was she just that profoundly into the operation? Either way, he believed her: she was either in love with him, or a very good liar. He needed to get her out before she wasn’t able to distinguish between the two. Or was he too late?
“David can go.” Jagger offered.
“Really?” Britton had never felt so relieved.
He looked to David. “But if I ever see you around here again, I’m going to have someone else make that decision for me.”
“I understand.” David nodded.
“Can I…” Britton hinted to Jagger that she wanted to say goodbye.