Jagger threw up his hands and vehemently shook his head. “Oh, no, brother.” His deep chuckle filled the car’s interior. “What happens inside your marriage, stays inside your marriage. You do somethin’ stupid to piss off that sweet woman of yours, that shit’s all on you. Besides…” He gave a shoulder a shrug. “Allison loves me.”
The two men shared a much-needed laugh, and for the first time ever, Jagger began to see himself having the kind of life his friend was starting to build. A woman who loved him standing right by his side. A sweet little girl the spitting image of her mom.
His mind was instantly filled with visions of a little girl with long, brown hair. Her big, round, golden eyes were an exact match to Talia’s. And when she smiled, despite the fact that she was a figment of his imagination, Jagger felt as though his heart would overflow with a sense of joy.
Get a grip on yourself, Brooks. Stop daydreaming about a family you don’t have and focus on the problem that actually exists.
With a blink and a self-induced, hard, mental slap, he forced all thoughts of Talia—and their imaginary child—out of his head. Joining in on the laughter, Jagger recognized that Liam’s nerves about becoming a biological father were natural but completely unnecessary.
The couple were two of the happiest people he knew, and their growing family was a testament to the love Liam and Allison shared. Maybe, someday, he’d find that same sort of happiness, too.
Until then…
Jagger glanced at the GPS map displayed on the rental car’s dash. “Hey, it looks like we need to take this next exit.”
“I’m on it.” Liam switched lanes like a boss.
Before long, they’d entered into a maze of three-story, brick buildings and narrow, paved roads. The Applewood Apartment Complex was a middle-income housing structure located on the east side of the Potomac, twelve miles from Alexandria.
“Sure hope Sinclair’s home,” his friend spoke up again. “Otherwise, this will go down as the shortest and most uneventful road trip we’ve ever had.”
“He’s home,” Jagger responded with absolute confidence. Before Liam could ask, he added, “Ryker’s had eyes on him since he was released from Homeland this morning.”
“I can’t believe they let him go, just like that.”
“Ryker said everything in Sinclair’s statement panned out. Phone records back up his claim that his buddy called him last-minute to fill in for the job. Bank records show he’s been living paycheck-to-paycheck for the last couple of years. And, aside from him being at the port the night of the op, there’s no way to connect him to Sanchez or any of his other known associates.”
Liam appeared to process the information as he maneuvered them through the expansive complex toward Sinclair’s building. “I take it you don’t buy his story of not being in bed with Sanchez? I mean, obviously. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be coming to his place.”
“This isn’t about Sanchez.”
Or maybe it was, but it was also about a whole lot more.
“So if this isn’t about the drug-smuggling asshole, why?—”
“I need to know if he had anything to do with setting that bomb.”
“Wait.” Confusion filled his friend’s gaze as it bounced between him and the speedbump up ahead. “Are you saying the explosion isn’t connected to Talia’s case?”
“I’m saying the explosion is connected toher,” Jagger clarified. “But I think it was personal.”
“Doesn’t get much more personal than attempted murder,” Liam quipped. “Okay, so you think Sinclair somehow went after Talia…while in Homeland’s custody, mind you…not because of Sanchez but for something from their CIA past?”
“Maybe.” Jagger shrugged. “That’s what we’re here to find out.”
On cue, they pulled into an empty spot in front of the building labeled G. A moment later, Jagger was standing with Liam outside Sinclair’s door.
“Whatever you’re selling, you’re wasting your time.” Keith Sinclair groused before the door was even fully opened.
“Good thing we aren’t salesmen.” Jagger stared the man down.
Keith’s dark brows turned inward just before he barked out, “Who the hell are you?”
“We’re friends of Natalia Foster’s.”
The man’s eyes widened slightly at Liam’s revealing words. A beat later, Keith rushed to slam the door in their faces, but Jagger’s booted toe was faster.
“Don’t worry, Keith,” Jagger drawled as if he had all the time in the world. “We didn’t come here to hurt you.”
