“He means it.” I press the play button on the remote control. The movie trailers begin to play.
“But what would you do with the cottage?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Sell it. Or rent it out. The property values are climbing in that area.”
“This could be good for us, couldn’t it?” A note of excitement accompanies her smile. “Aside from the danger, I mean.” She digs a hand into the bucket of popcorn. “Although, it’s kind of addicting.”
“Are you handling everything okay?” Sobriety will always be a challenge for her, but she’s been clean for over a year.
“Yes. I’m fine. I’ve been going to my meetings. I may pick up an extra one or two this week.” Her expression sobers. “Do you really think Athena is responsible for the fire?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” The question has been on my mind for most of my waking hours. “Until we know for sure, you’re safer here than anywhere else. Cash won’t take any chances with our safety.”
“I might have been a little harsh on him before.” She scratches her nose, leaving a gleaming trail of butter across her chin in the process. “He’s been extremely nice. Did you know that he offered me a job at one of his legitimate businesses? No strings attached. Good pay. Benefits.”
“You should take it.” Warmth spreads through my chest at his generosity. He’s making a genuine effort to right his wrongs. “He says he loves me.” I blurt out the words, needing to confide in someone. “And I love him, too. This is the real deal, Em. I’m sure of it.”
“Oh.” Her lips form a perfect circle. She blinks a few times before regaining her composure. “Well, I’m happy if you’re happy.”
I bite my lip as her face falls. I reach out and grab her hand. “I want you to be happy, too.”
“What are we watching?” Gage appears in the doorway. He’s wearing ripped jeans and a tight white T-shirt that outlines his washboard abs.
“Chick flick.” Emeline’s face brightens. Gage trots down the steps and settles next to her on the sofa. In that moment, I know she’s going to be okay.
Twenty-Five
Jagger
Cash arrives home the next morning. I meet him in the foyer, run to him, and throw my arms around his neck. “It feels like you’ve been gone forever.” I breath in the scent of his cologne and his shampoo.
“I know. I missed you.” He squeezes me tight, lifting my feet off the ground. There’s something different about him. Something I can’t quite identify.
“I can’t sleep when you’re gone.” I smile and study his face, noting the shadows of exhaustion beneath his eyes. His bed had been large and empty without him next to me.
“Me, neither. Give me a kiss.” He lowers his head to find my mouth. I sigh when our lips make contact. Lucy zooms around our ankles, begging for Cash’s attention. After a brief kiss, he pulls away and scoops her up. She rains sloppy puppy kisses all over his face, squeaking and chirping with joy. “Yes, I missed you, too, Lucy.”
We spend the rest of the day in the living room, holding hands and chatting. Gage and Em go for a run together. Mr. Mercer comes to the main house for hot tea, and the five of us play gin rummy. It’s a life I could become accustomed to. My friends and family are gathered around me. I’m safe and secure, loved. I bask in the peaceful moment, knowing it could end at any minute.
On the following Wednesday morning, Cash is already downstairs when I wake up. I meet him in the kitchen. He’s sitting at the breakfast counter, head in his hands, a cup of untouched coffee next to him.
“You’re up early.” I watch him from the corner of my eye as I heat hot water for a cup of tea.
“Couldn’t sleep.” He lifts his head and smiles, but the glimmer is gone from his gaze.
“You said that last night and the night before. Is something going on?” I slide onto the barstool next to him.
“Just work stuff. There’s a lot going on right now.” By the tight press of his lips, this is all the information I’m going to get. He captures my hands in his and holds them between us. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“Yes, but I always like to hear it again.” My heart skips a beat, the way it does every time he tells me.
“I love you more than anything. I would do anything to keep you safe.” He rests his cheek on the back of my left hand.
“I know you would.” A knot tightens in my throat. “You’re scaring me.”
He lifts his face to mine, locking our gazes together. “If anything happens to me, you have to have faith that it will work out in the end. Do you understand me?”
“No. You’re not making any sense.”
“If I’ve ever kept any secrets from you, it was for your own protection or because it wasn’t my secret to tell. I promise you, Jagger.” The fierceness in his tone causes my stomach to clench. He kisses my fingertips. “I want to be with you always. Forever. I have a way out for us, but you have to trust me.”
“I do. I trust you.” The pain in his expression brings tears to my eyes.
“Good.” Taking my face between his palms, he gives me a long kiss. The glide of his tongue through my mouth tingles all the way down to my toes. He deepens the kiss, pressing his lips against mine, like he’s trying to absorb me. The desperation in his touch stirs my emotions, leaving me breathless and wanting more. He runs the tip of his nose along mine. “I have some things to take care of at the warehouse today. I’ll be late getting home.”
“Okay.” I’m still dizzy and bewildered from the passion of his kiss. “I’m meeting Loretta this afternoon.”
“Take Gage with you.” The intensity in his stare burns through me.
I roll my eyes. “Like I have a choice. He doesn’t even let me go to the convenience store alone.”
“Good. Gage can always be trusted. If you need anything—anything at all—you let him know.” His expression hardens. “I mean it, Jag.”
“All right.”
He clears his throat and stands, giving me one last long look before leaving. I watch him disappear through the door, feeling unsettled.
Loretta sits on a wood bench beneath the spreading branches of a willow tree. The crisp fall air ruffles the messy bun piled on top of her head. A touch of sunburn glows on her nose. She smiles as I slide into the seat next to her. “Good afternoon, Jagger.”
In the grass at our feet, I drop the tote full of cash next to her identical one. “You too, Loretta.”
We fall silent while a jogger passes on the trail in front of us. The park bustles with activity. Children shriek and giggle on the playground equipment. Mothers with strollers and diaper bags chat as they watch their kids dart around the green lawn. Loretta’s wearing a casual, flowered dress with a pretty pink sweater around her shoulders. I’m dressed in jeans, tennis shoes, and a sweater. We probably look like normal suburban friends enjoying the great weather instead of successful jewel thieves.
“This is it for a while,” I say. “We had a fire at our store and lost everything. It’s going to be a few weeks before I’m up and running again.”
“Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry.” A little blonde girl with pigtails skips up to us for a sip from Loretta’s water bottle then races back to her siblings on the monkey bars. “Ray, stop pushing your brother,” Loretta shouts to one of her boys before turning back to me. “Was anyone hurt?”
“No. We’re all good.” I don’t want to go into the story again. After rehashing the details of the blaze to multiple people during the past weeks, I’m ready to move on with my life. “It’s just put a crimp in my business.”
“Okay. Not a problem. Actually, I’d like to take the kids somewhere nice for a few days. The beach or something.” She tucks her hair behind her ear, her gaze focused on the four towheaded kids in front of us. “The divorce has been hell on them.”
“Have you reached a settlement yet?”
“Yes, thanks to your friend.” Her smile widens even more. Cash used his resources to put the fear of God into L
oretta’s ex. Apparently, the high-powered attorney had an affinity for prostitutes. A few scandalous photos tipped the tables in Loretta’s favor. “He signed over everything to us. Even his Porsche. When his girlfriend found out, she left him.”
“What comes around, goes around.” A fly buzzes around my ear. I wave a hand to shoo it off. “I’m glad it worked out.”
Loretta exhales a sigh of mingled relief and exhilaration. “You have no idea how much better I feel. If I can repay the favor, please let me know.”
“Seeing your smile is repayment enough.” Although we aren’t close, I’ve grown to like Loretta and look forward to our monthly chats.
“I emailed pictures of the jewelry pieces for our next mark. Just let me know when you’re ready to move on them.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be in touch, okay?” I shoulder the strap of the tote. Loretta walks away to attend to her children. I flatten a hand over my eyes against the bright sun and scan the street for Gage. The Escalade is parked across the street, but the driver’s seat is empty. He must’ve stepped into the coffee shop for an espresso. The man has a serious addiction to caffeine.
I cross the grassy field, heading in the direction of the vehicle. My thoughts are consumed with Cash and Loretta, the arson of my building, Emeline, and Mr. Mercer. To save a few steps, I cut through a copse of trees. There’s a windowless van parked next to the Escalade on the passenger side. I step between the two vehicles. My phone buzzes with an incoming call. I drop my head to rummage in my purse.
The van door slides open. Something heavy drops over my head. I’m too shocked to react as I’m hauled into the van. Everything goes dark, but I can still hear the laughter of children on the playground and cars passing on the street. My hands are bound behind my back. Strong fingers wrap around my bicep.
“Just stay quiet.” I recognize that voice, the flat Midwestern twang and authoritative tone.
“Tony?” A shiver of dislike skates down my back. Is he a friend or the enemy? Beneath the hood, I catch a glimpse of a male forearm dusted with black hair. “What’s happening?”
He shoves me forward. “Just stay calm and everything will be okay.”
I try to swallow, but my throat is dry and dusty. The engine starts. The floor vibrates as we accelerate. We drive for a while. I have no idea if it’s thirty seconds or thirty minutes. The brakes squeal. I pitch forward as we come to a stop. I hear a gearshift shove into park, and the engine goes quiet. The doors open. Someone yanks the hood from my head. I blink at the blinding sunlight and stare disbelieving into my captor’s face.
“Callie?” My voice cracks. I squeeze my eyes shut then open them once more. Am I having some kind of hallucination?
“Thank goodness.” Her arms wrap around my shoulders as she drags me into a bear hug. The zip ties around my wrists cut into my flesh. I hiss at the pain. Callie straightens. “Jesus, Tony. Was that absolutely necessary? Cut her loose.”
Tony snips the zip ties with a pair of scissors. “I didn’t want to take any chances on her trying to run.”
“I don’t understand.” Tears of relief mingle with my tears of confusion.
“I’ve got you. You’re safe now.” Callie wipes my cheeks with the back of her hand. To the untrained eye, she could be my twin with her wavy black hair and dark eyes. She drags me into another hug. “I was so worried about you.”
“What’s going on?” I scramble out of her embrace and shake my hands to alleviate the painful tingling sensation of blood rushing into my fingertips.
She takes my face between her hands, forcing me to meet her gaze. “You’re free, Jagger.”
“I stare at her, disbelieving. “Free from what?”
“From Cash. From his crazy world.”
I turn in a circle to get my bearings, but we’re in unfamiliar territory. Acres of cornfields surround us on all sides. The stalks rustle in the hot breeze, filling the air with their peppery sweet aroma. Callie tries to hug me, but I fight away her embrace. “You kidnapped me?”
“Get in the car, and I’ll explain everything.” She gestures toward the black Lincoln Navigator parked behind the van. With a hand on my back, she urges me forward. Over her shoulder, she calls, “Thanks, Tony.”
“No problem.” The door of the van slams shut and the tires squeal as Tony speeds toward the horizon.
“Tony works for you?” The events of the day become more bizarre with each passing moment.
The interior of the Lincoln is quiet and cool. I slide across the soft leather seat. My head buzzes from the heat, information overload, and shock. Calliope presses a bottle of water into my hand. “Drink.”
“I need answers. Right now.” I don’t recognize my voice. It’s filled with hollow desperation.
“I’ve got them for you. Just give me a second.” Callie drapes the seat belt around me, fastens the buckle, then clicks her restraint into place. “Jagger, this is my husband, Nicky.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jagger.” Until now, I haven’t noticed the two men in the front seats. The passenger extends a hand across the console to the back where I’m sitting. His face is brutally handsome, a breathtaking combination of sharp plains and angles. A mischievous glint plays in his gray eyes. “You’ve led us on quite a merry chase. I’m impressed.” His smooth words carry an interesting hint of Russian and New York accents.
“Hello.” I hold the water bottle with both hands, feeling small and childlike. My pulse begins to slow, but my head whirls in confusion. “Where are we going?”
“To the airport. We’ve got a plane waiting.” She smiles at me. “Gosh, you look so much like Mom.”
“Someone tell me what’s happening before I have a full-on meltdown.” Panic builds in my chest.
Callie draws in a sharp breath. “I’m sorry about all this, Jag. Things were getting out of hand, and it’s just not safe for you here anymore.” At my look of confusion, she touches my cheek. “I had to know you were okay, and Nicky is really good at finding people—or making them disappear. He tracked you down to Baxter’s Corner.”
Nicky lifts an eyebrow and smiles over his shoulder. “I don’t like to brag, but she’s right. I am the best.”
“Hush. You’re not helping.” She gives his arm a playful shove before turning back to me. “I didn’t want to interfere in your life, so I asked Tony to infiltrate your circle of friends and keep an eye on you. When he found out Cash was bothering you, it was time for us to move in.”
“I told you I was fine.” My temper begins to seethe.
“Jagger, I need you to be honest with me.” The intensity of her gaze burns into me. “Has Cash hurt you? You can tell me.”
“How can you ask me that?” I want to hurl the water bottle at her. Instead I crush the plastic until it crumples. I jerk away from her hand. “He would never hurt me. He’s been really good to me. Okay, maybe not at first, but things are fine now. Great, actually.”
Callie frowns at her husband. “It’s worse than I thought. He’s brainwashed her.”
“Told you so.” Nicky settles back in his bucket seat with a smug smirk. “She’s got Stockholm Syndrome.”
“I don’t have any syndrome. You’re both crazy.” I can’t believe what’s happening. Outside the vehicle, the interstate looms ahead us. In a few minutes, we’ll be at the airport. “Take me home.”
“This is all my fault. I’m so sorry, Jag. Never in a million years did I think he would go after you. That’s low—even for him.” Her face falls.
“You’ve got this all wrong.” Frustration and panic bring the pitch of my voice to an unpleasant growl. “I love him, Callie. Love him. And he loves me. We had a real chance at happiness until this.” I bury my face in my hands to keep my self-control from breaking.
“Cash doesn’t love anyone but himself.” Her lips quiver, a sign of her escalating temper. We didn’t argue much as kids, but when we did, the walls shook with the volume of our shouting.
“Just because he didn’t love you
doesn’t mean he’s incapable of the emotion.” I give in to temptation and hurl the water bottle onto the floor.
“Oh, snap.” Nicky chuckles. “I like this girl.”
“Hush.” Callie smacks the back of his headrest. “You have no idea who Cash really is. Neither of you.”
I exhale, praying for patience, knowing each second wasted puts more distance between me and the man I love. “Yes, Callie, I do. He’s the guy who saved you from prostitution and drugs. He’s the guy who makes me feel like I’m important. He saved me from an ex-boyfriend who threw me down a staircase. Cash respects me.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Which, apparently, you do not.”
“Look.” Her tones softens, becoming cajoling. “Once you’ve gotten a little time and distance from him, you’ll see that I’m right. We can go to the airport, right now. You can come to Manhattan. We’ll get you a place. You can start over.”
“I don’t want to start over.” Why isn’t she listening to me? “I have a life here.” I grab her hands and plead. “I just want Cash.”
The closer we get to the airport, the greater my panic becomes. In the space of an hour, I’ve been thrust into some kind of alternate universe where my sister is the villain and Cash is the good guy. I’ve never had a reason to question her love for me, not even now. She’s gone to a lot of trouble to protect me. Except, I don’t need her to take care of me anymore.
“Callie, if you don’t take me home now, I’ll never forgive you.” Outside the tinted windows of the Lincoln, the miles flash by. Each passing minute takes me farther from home—from Cash.
“You don’t understand.” Desperation roughens her normally smooth voice. She takes my hand between both of hers and squeezes. “He has a way of getting under your skin, making you think you’re the center of his universe when he’s really just using you to get more money, more diamonds. And once he has his hooks in you, he’ll never let you go. Not even when he’s bored and tired of you.” Sincerity shines in her eyes. “Please, Jagger. Listen to me.”
Absolute Trust (Absolute Power Duet Book 2) Page 16