“I looked for you. All of you. They said no one knew your names. They said.” I swallow. “They said I made you up.”
Jagger's face darkens. Not angry. He’s past that. His expression is the kind that makes the air leave the room.
“I’m real,” he growls, and I laugh.
“You sure?” And he leans down so close his forehead nearly touches mine.
“I’m real,” he whispers as his hand closes around mine, bringing it flat against his chest. Under my fingers, his heart pounds. Hard. Fast. Alive. “Feel that?” he says, and I nod as my fingers curl around his waist. His skin burning with rage. “Real,” he says again, and I close my eyes. For a second, I let myself believe him.
“Careful,”Jethro warns.No. Not with this. Not right now.I open my eyes and cup Jagger's face.
“They took something from me,” I tell him as the words leave my mouth before I truly understand them. He stills and his gaze drops over me.Assessing the damage.
“What?”
“I don’t know.” My voice trembles. “I don’t know, and that’s worse,” I say as his hand moves to the chest straps, then he stops and looks at me.
“Can I?” he asks, and that nearly ruins me. Of all the ugly, monstrous, bloody things this man has done today, that is what cracks something open. A question—a choice.
“Yes.” I nod, and he unbuckles it. The pressure leaves my ribs, and I take a deep breath, wincing. He works quickly on my ankle straps, then I’m free. My body doesn’t feel like mine. It feels borrowed, drugged, and used. Jagger notices and he steps closer.
“Can you walk?” he asks, and I smile.
“Probably.”
“Bad answer.”
“Again, it’s the only one I have,” I say, then he scoops me up before I can argue. I yelp, but not from fear, from the pain between my legs, and maybe relief, because I’m in his arms.Safe. I’m fucking safe with him.His arms lock under me, solid and hot. I stare at his throat—at the pulse dancing in his neck. “You smell like smoke,” I whisper, and he chuckles.
“I broke a door,” he states, and I giggle.
“Just one?” I ask, and his mouth twitches.
“There were a few,” he whispers, and I laugh.It hurts but it's so worth it.
He carries me toward the broken doorway. The hall beyond is red with alarms and chaos. Patients screaming. Guards shouting. Locks slamming open and closed like the building can’t decide whether to keep us in or spit us out. Jagger pauses in the threshold. His arms tighten around me.
“Tell me who touched you.”
I look up at him and smile. I could point him at the world and giggle while he tears it open, but all I can do is snuggle deeper into him. “Don’t leave me,” I beg, and the rage in his eyes falters. Something else takes place. Something raw.
“I won’t.”
“Everyone does,” I whisper.
“I’m not everyone,” he says.
“They’ll take you again,” I say, running my finger along his jaw.
“Then I’ll come back again,” he growls, tightening his hold on me.
“What if I can’t find you?” I ask.
“Then I’ll make enough noise for you to hear me,” he says, his voice rough against my ears. I shiver, but close my eyes, knowing he will never let anyone hurt me. That shouldn't be romantic but it is. It’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever promised me.
A crash erupts down the hall and Jagger turns, shielding me with his body. Three guards round the corner, and he lowers me carefully to my feet but keeps one arm around my waist when my knees wobble.
“Stay behind me,” he says, and I tilt my head.
