“Harsh, flower,” comes Jagger’s voice from behind me.
I flinch when I realize Jagger is in the room with me. I didn’t know Cruz and I had an audience for that argument. Great. When I look over my shoulder, I find him at his desk. He’s now wearing a black T-shirt, different from the one he wore when he came in. “Why did you want me to see that?” I whisper, having to force my voice out.
“I would say you damn near broke the poor boy’s heart.” He stands and strolls toward me, hands in his pockets. “The truth isn’t always pretty, but you have gone and ingrained yourself in this world. I thought it was time for you to see our reality. So instead of hating me when I stop you from working at my sister’s club, you can make some informed choices of your own. Take back some of the control you so desperately crave.”
“You could have just told me how bad it was, or Dante—why didn’t he call me when he found out about this?”
The lines in his forehead deepen. “Your brother has no idea about all of this. When the boys tracked down the serpent piece of shit this morning, we thought it best to keep this to ourselves.”
The way he says it fills me with unease. Why would he keep my brother in the dark? Unless he doesn’t trust him, but I know that’s not true. They are working with him to keep me safe, right?
His head tilts to the side as if he’s studying me. “Would you have believed me if I did?”
I stare back at him, knowing I wouldn’t have. He’s right. I had to see this, hear it for myself. I knew my papa was controlling and wanted me back in Italy to marry me off again, but I never thought he was the man I heard on that call. He sounded almost detached from me being his daughter. I blink back up at him. “No,” I admit.
“You needed to see how much danger your papa has put you in. You could keep running, if that’s what you want, never really knowing how truly terrifying your reality is until they catch you. But something tells me there is more fight inside you than you’re letting on. And maybe it’s time you stopped running and demanded your life back.”
I think Jagger sees something inside me that’s not there. I’m not strong; it’s why I ran in the first place. I was too scared to fight for what I wanted and to stand up to my papa. Truth is, I have always been a pushover. That’s why Valentine got away with treating me like he did. “You heard what he said on that call, Jagger. The wedding is already booked, and if I don’t go home, he will only find some other prick to hunt me down and drag me back there in the worst way.”
“We won’t let that happen.” He takes my hand, pulling me up to standing. He towers above me, but today I don’t feel so small againsthim. “You won’t let that happen. This is your life. Decide to take it back,” he demands like it’s an order.
The way he says it makes my heart kick up a beat. No one has ever made me feel like he does right now. I wish I could see myself through his eyes. I know he’s right, and I want more than anything to be the woman he thinks I can be. I’m just not sure that I can. If push comes to shove and my papa is standing in front of me demanding I do as he says, I will crumble.
“I need to hear you say it, flower.” He sounds vulnerable, unlike bossman Jagger.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Say what?”
“That you will fight just as hard for yourself as we will.” Fear flashes in his eyes. I don’t understand what it means, but for the first time since I have known this man, he looks shaken.
“I’m not going back there.” My voice is soft and holds no confidence, even though I’m desperate to show him I’m the girl he wants me to be.
His eyes narrow, and his hands move from holding mine to gripping my face. “Promise me.” His tight grip on me makes me shake.
I blink back at him, not sure how to give him what he wants, because I’m now positive this is more than a promise I won’t go back home. “Jagger,” I whisper his name.
His fingers press into my cheeks as he grips me tighter. “Look what you’re doing to me, flower,” he whispers, and I think he’s about to kiss me, but right before he does, he pulls back and stalks from the room just like his brother did, leaving me alone, staring at the closed door.
My heart is in my throat, my head thumping with confusion. I may have thought I could live with them and avoid this tension, but I was so wrong. There is so much more going on here than even I wantto admit. The worst part is I’m breaking all my rules. I know today hurt so much because I’ve fallen for all of them, and I know there is no way I can run away from this. This is my life now, and I have to stay and fight for what I want. The boys included.
Chapter 34
Who Will Save Your Soul
Withadeterminedstride,I head for the door, knowing I have to go after him. Placing my hand on the knob and trying to turn it, it clicks back and forth, but nothing happens. The assholes have locked me in Jagger’s office. I stare at the door for a second, wondering what on earth? Both Cruz and Jagger get annoyed with me, then they storm off and lock me in his office?
I’m not even sure what to do, so I ball my fist and bang. “Jagger, let me out,” I call when there is no response.
After what feels like forever, my fist gets sore, and my voice hoarse, so I give up. I’m sure I’m the least of their concernsnow when they have a body to dispose of and another thug to hunt down before he finds me. Apparently, I’m their hostage until they work all that shit out. At least that’s what it feels like.
With a heavy sigh, I move through the room to Jagger’s desk and slump down in his office chair, feeling defeated. I can’t work at The Raven’s Nest anymore and have no way of making money. I think that’s what I’m saddest about. I loved that job and the sliver of independence it was allowing me. As much as I hate to admit it, maybe it’s time to talk to Sloane about something else, something safer, at least until my papa gives up on thinking he can drag me back home. And that will be never.
I lean back in the chair, dialing my brother’s number, not sure what to expect, but he has to know a little more about who my papa has selected for me. How to stop him. Or maybe even how to get me out of this mess. He picks up on the third ring.
“Daisy,” comes his croaky voice like he was sleeping, but it must only be about six in the evening over there.
“I’m sorry if I’m interrupting something. I just needed to hear your voice. It’s been a day,” I say, relieved to be talking to him. If I can rely on anyone I know, it’s my brother.
“Where are you?” he snaps, sounding on edge.
