“Get your hands off me, asshole,” I cry, finding my voice. He’s not hurting me, but I see the intent in his eyes, and it’s scary.
He grips me tighter. “Pack your shit. This time I’m making sure you get on that flight myself.”
I try to pull free of his barbaric hold on me, but I can’t. His nostrils flare as he glares back at me, making me feel so damn insignificant.But this asshole can’t dictate my life; I won’t let him. “No. I’m staying,” I bite back.
“Like hell you are.” He drags me to the closet.
“Jagger, let her go,” Cruz calls from the doorway, no sense of urgency in his voice at all.
Jagger swings back in the direction of the door, his grip still tight on my wrist. “You. You’re the reason she’s still here!”
“Actually, Sloane is. And she would be mighty pissed if she saw you manhandling her little friend like you are. She personally put me in charge of taking care of her.” He winks at me as if the two of us are in on something.
Jagger’s grip loosens as he gapes back at me, but he doesn’t let me go entirely. “Explain.”
I stare up at him, my heart in my throat. “Sloan’s the reason I came to Ravens Hollow in the first place. At the time I didn’t know she was your sister.” I look toward him, disgusted, and I’m sure he knows why, after what I witnessed him doing yesterday. “She gave me a job and a place to stay.”
“Why?” he snarls like the idea makes him sick.
I shove at him, trying to get him off me. “Because she’s a good person, clearly no family resemblance to you.” I glare back at him. Screw him. He’s clearly the boss around here, but that doesn’t mean I have to listen to him like the others do. He’s not my boss.
“Don’t get comfortable,” he growls before he releases me, then collects his phone and dials a number as he storms from the room. “What the fuck, Sloane,” is all I make out before he’s out of earshot. Shit, he’s furious.
I’m left rubbing my wrist and wondering how that escalated so quickly. “So much for you protecting me from him,” I snap at Cruz, who is still lurking in the doorway to my room, watching me.
He moves farther into the room, his lips twisting up at the sides. “Didn’t think you wanted my help, little darlin’. Am I wrong?”
“No,” I snap. I don’t want his help, but he could see that was getting out of control with his brother, and it would have been nice for him to step in instead of standing in the doorway and just watching like a creeper.
His hand drops to my wrist, and he rubs slow circles, delicately bringing the life back. “You’re so tough all on your own,” he says, but I know it’s sarcasm from what I said to him earlier.
I glance up at him, wondering what he’s trying to prove by being an asshole to me.
“Just say the word and I will make sure Jagger never touches you again.” This time his voice is filled with a menacing edge that makes me believe him.
I pull out of his hold on me, not wanting this situation to get out of hand. Not now that I have seen what he is capable of with his fists. “I can handle Jagger.”
He raises a brow, searching my face. “Suit yourself.” Then, he turns and walks out of my room.
I quickly follow him and close the door, locking it before Jagger can burst in again. I’m in for another sleepless night, I just know it. There is too much testosterone in this place.
A text pops onto my phone.
SLOANE: Sorry about Jagger. He will calm down. If you need anything, just ask Cruz, he will look after you.
DAISY: Thanks. Don’t worry about me, I can handle Jagger.
Even as I say it, I’m not sure it’s the truth. He was so angry. What I don’t understand is why. What’s it to him if I stick around? I’m not going to spill his secrets. Honestly, I just want to stay away from him. Why would I go making things worse for myself?
SLOANE: Atta girl. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.
DAISY: See you then.
I chuck my phone down on the bedside table, already knowing I won’t be asking Cruz for anything. Somehow, I think any favors with him will be much like this morning: let me kiss you and I will set you free. He likes playing games and seeing what he can get away with. I just need to find a way to start my new life and have as little interaction with the three of them as possible. Should be easy enough, except I’m now working with one of them, and living with the other two.
Chapter 8
Call Me
