“Jagger?” I lift my head to look at him as I ask. “Can you set me down now?” He nods and gently lowers me to my feet. I wipe my cheeks as I turn to face my other three guys, who are squaring off against Elias. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to sit with Elias.”
I can see a series of emotions play out on Pete’s face, Slyis much harder to read, and Dex just frowns. “Of course, Wren, whatever you want,” Sly finally answers with a strained nod of his head. “We want you to find yourself and your voice. So thank you for telling us what you need right now.”
He steps toward me and gently hugs me against his chest before tilting my chin up and placing a gentle kiss on my lips. When he steps away, I run my tongue over my lower lip, tasting him there. His eyes heat when he tracks the movement, then he quickly turns and walks around to climb in the driver’s side.
Pete steps forward next, also giving me a not-so-gentle kiss, leaving me feeling a little heated as he climbs into the front passenger seat. Jagger turns me around, so my back is to everyone else, then bends down and cups my face before his lips gently graze mine. He stands up and signs.“I’m so glad you’re back. I’m sorry we let them take you again.”
“It’s not your fault. Thank you for coming to get me,”I sign back silently.
“Always, tiny flame. I love you.”
I bite my lip as I sign back,“I love you, too, Jagger.”
I hold my breath, scared to finally admit it, even if I didn’t actually say the words out loud.
Then, the most amazing thing happens. Jaggersmiles. I’ve seen the odd smirk or tiniest hint of a grin, but never an actual smile. It changes his entire appearance. He is no longer menacing or broody. Now he’s breathtaking.
My eyes widen, and my jaw drops open. He swoops back in to kiss me again. This time, he doesn’t hold back as his tongue charges in demanding I obey him. My core instantly heats, despite where we are and what’s just happened, and only the clearing of a throat has us pulling apart.
He grins down at me and turns me back to face the others just as my cheeks start to heat.
“Come give me a hug, baby,” Dex says, holding his arms open for me. I gladly step into his embrace, and he kisses the top of my head. When he pulls back, he grabs my waist and lifts me into the SUV.
“Get in the back with Elias,” he instructs, and I lift my gaze to see him sitting in the bench seat at the back, waiting nervously. I offer him a small smile as I hunch over and drop to the seat beside him.
Dex and Jagger climb into the seats in front of us as I offer him a tentative smile. “Hi,” I squeak out, a little too awkwardly.
A small grin pulls at his lip, as if my being nervous sets him at ease. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“No nicknames!” Pete yells from the front.
I bite my lips to hold in my laugh as Elias yells back, “That’s not for you to decide!”
Pete grumbles something back about annoying FBI agents as we start to move out of the yard. I glance outside, seeing a handful of dead men all over the place, and my eyebrows raise in surprise.
“Did… Did you kill him?” I ask in hope. Maybe I shouldn’t hope for someone to be dead, but if anyone deserved it, it was him, not to mention the fact that it would solve a handful of our problems.
“Ivan? No, sorry. He got away,” Elias tells me as he places his hand on mine and squeezes it.
I look at him, and we just stare at each other for a second as the tension builds.
“Can I hug you?” he whispers, probably trying to keep his voice away from Pete’s ears.
I pull my sore arm against me as I lean into his chest and wrap my good arm around his waist. He hugs me back, and after a few seconds, someone claps loudly, and we jump apart, turning to see Dex’s narrowed eyes as he points between us. “No touching!”
Suddenly, I feel incredibly guilty. My boyfriends were nice enough to let me sit with Elias, even though they’re probably dying to hold me right now, and I’m practically cuddling him.
I open my mouth to apologize, but Dex gives me a quick wink before turning back to face the front. My shoulders drop as a bit of tension leaves me. That’s all I need to know he’s not upset with me. I should have known better. Dex isn’t one to get jealous or hold things like that over me. He’s perfect.
“Wren?”
“Hmm?”
I turn to Elias in question, and he watches me carefully before asking, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Better now.” I give him a tight smile, but I know he can see through my practiced response.
Jagger snaps his fingers to get our attention, then signs to Elias,“There’s a first aid kit under your seat. Maybe you could actually help your best friend instead of trying to feel her up.”
