“No. Just telling you the truth. I fucking love the way you love me.”
Two tears fall before she speaks. “Dammit Jagger.”
Karessa pounces, catching me off guard. I fall back on our blanket laughing as she peppers my face with kisses.
“There they go again,” Oran grumbles but I hear the amusement in the big bastard’s voice.
Everyone laughs. Karessa stops kissing me but she doesn’t climb off me. Instead she opts to give me her version of a bear hug. It’s an adorable effort. I look around taking in the scene of all of us gathered around the fire truly at peace with the past traumas. I breathe in the moment, hoping I can remember this feeling forever. We’ve had great memories here and rare moments that allowed us to be carefree and truly in the moment.
But as with any high, there’s the inevitable fall.
Chapter Forty
Karessa
The momentwe exited the plane on Founder’s Island, I felt the shift in the mood. More paparazzi than usual cluttered the strip and more of the Bishops’ men were in attendance. Ainslee and Mikonos had already disappeared but Oran was still near Jagger and me. We found out Andres Bishops and Markos are in the hospital.
My heart immediately went out to Ainslee since I know how much she cares about both of them. They were shot in Las Vegas but flown back here for care. The scene at the hospital felt like it’d come from a movie. Andres and Markos are two people I’d never thought I’d see hospitalized and it doesn’t seem Ainslee is taking it well. She’s changed at least for now. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but it’s terrifying.
“I can’t imagine having to take over the family business the moment I find out my dad has been hospitalized,” I say to no one in particular.
The mood is dismal in our home because Ainslee's transition to mob boss didn’t leave any room for Oran - at least not immediately. Once she found out what happened to her dad and brother, the Ainslee we know took a backseat to the boss she has to be. There was a vacant look in her eyes and her bubbly personality was replaced with that of an angry mob boss looking for the weakest link in the organization.
It looked highly possible that she was going to shoot that man but I’m glad she didn’t. The real collateral damage is the pained expression on Oran’s face when she left him with us. As with anyone in this situation, he wanted to be there for his wife but couldn’t.
Her dismissal was cold. We know she has matters to see through, but to those of us who aren’t in her lifestyle, it would seem like she’d have a minute to see about her dad or calm her husband’s concern for her. It’s not a judgement. I simply don’t understand and from the looks of his posture as he sits out on the balcony, Oran doesn’t understand either.
It seems Jagger gets it the most since they grew up around each other but it doesn’t mean he’s happy. All I can do is make sure fresh cigars, glasses, and a new bottle of whiskey is ready for Jagger to take outside.
Jagger emerges from the room freshly showered and wearing lounge clothes.
“I did as you said and gave him a moment alone,” I look outside again and Oran is leaning on the rail now and looking down at the city functioning without him.
I make a pained expression and Jagger snorts. “Only one and hurry up.”
Nodding, I slide the door open and step out. He glances at me but my presence doesn’t change the lost look on his face.
“Jagger said only one and since y’all seem to have a psychic link, I’m assuming it’s your wish as well…” He cocks his brow because I’m sure he’s only heard half of what I said. “I’m giving you one hug.”
He lets out a puff of air - the closest thing to a laugh I’m going to get and raises his arm so I can get into hugging space. I hug Oran for two reasons - he needs one and it gives him something to do with the hug he wanted to give his wife.
“It’s a lot,” I say about Ainslee’s situation.
“I know but…” he trails off.
“I understand,”I tell him. “Jagger shut me out when he was hurt because he’s used to doing it alone, talking about some damn processing time. Maybe they’re more alike than we think.”
His voice rumbles from his chest and tickles my ear when he responds. “And did you accept it?”
“A little. I gave him a moment then stormed the castle. I was the one who ended up getting spanked but he understood that shutting me out was unacceptable. I just don’t know how her new position would change things. Maybe don’t storm the castle but walk in gently?”
“In other words don’t get shot?”
This time I’m the one who laughs. “That’s a good place to start. I’ve seen how much you two love each other. I’m positive it’ll win.”
Oran kisses my forehead. “Thanks…”
“But, I’ll let you pout in peace. Man-style?”
