Jagger left the detective’s hand outstretched while he patted me down like he was looking for holes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a little shaken up, that’s all.”
He blew out a breath and finally acknowledged the waiting detective, clasping the man’s hand with his. “Jagger Langston.”
“And your relationship to Ms. Holland is…”
“I’m her…boyfriend.”
My mom’s forehead wrinkled. “Umm... Did I miss something here?”
“I’ll explain later, Mia,” Edmund said.
Detective Wallace asked a few more questions, none of which any of us had answers to. Eventually, he flipped his little notebook closed and used a handkerchief to pick up the birthday card and put it into a plastic bag. “I’ll be in touch once I know something.”
Jagger folded his arms across his chest. “I’ve already spoken to Commissioner Frank about having my security team kept in the loop.”
The detective frowned. “Great. You’re one of those. I do my job the same whether I have the boss up my ass or not. In fact, all that does is take time away from going after the bad guys.”
“Considering it’s beeneight yearssince Sutton was assaulted, and you still haven’t caught the guy, I’m not entirely convinced thatdoing your jobis enough.”
The detective’s face heated. Edmund noticed and stepped between the men. He laid a hand on Jagger’s shoulder. “Everyone is just a little upset right now. Thank you for coming so quickly, Detective.”
Wallace mumbled something I didn’t catch, then nodded to me before walking to the door with Edmund following.
My hands were clammy, and I felt like my clothes were sticking to me, even though the apartment had central air. “I’m going to go wash up and get changed.”
Jagger and Miles both stood at the same time, like they were planning on going with me. I smiled. “I’ll be fine.”
In the bathroom, I washed my face and doused my wrists with cold water, then I went to the bedroom and changed into a pair of yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt. It wasn’t lost on me that this had practically been my uniform for a full year after everything happenedeight years ago. When I’d finally spoken to a therapist, she’d told me it was likely part of my PTSD, and I was avoiding wearing anything that might attract a man’s attention.
I sat down on the bed, replaying the last hour in my mind until there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Jagger slipped inside, shutting the door behind him.
I smiled halfheartedly. “Are you coming to check on me or looking for a place to hide from my mother? I’m sure she couldn’t wait to interrogate you about what’s going on between us.”
Jagger sat down on the bed next to me. “Both.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I can’t believe this is happening. I thought I’d finally put this nightmare behind me and moved on.”
“I’m sorry, but I promise you, I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”
“I just feel so…violated. Like this guy has been watching me for who knows how long, and I had no idea. He might’ve been walking in and out of this building.” I looked around. “Could he have been inside this apartment and I didn’t know it? Am I that oblivious? I feel like such an idiot.”
Jagger scooped me up and settled me on his lap. He brushed hair from my face. “You are not an idiot, and I don’t want to ever hear you say something like that again. To be safe, I already called my security team and told them I want twenty-four-seven protection on you, at least until this guy’s caught. I doubt he’s made it into your apartment, but I’ll also have them do a sweep of the entire place to make sure there aren’t any cameras hidden or anything.”
I felt all the blood drain from my face. “You think he hid cameras?”
“No, but I’m not taking any chances.”
Jagger’s thumb rubbed back and forth on my knee. It was one of the few times he’d touched me that my body didn’t ignite. That made tears well in my eyes for an entirely different reason.
“I’m going to keep you safe, Sutton. I promise.” Jagger caught my chin in his hand and tilted my head up so our eyes met. “Do you understand?”
I nodded.
