Facing me again, he frowns. “Do you need help?”
“I’m being a baby.”
“You just had the shit kicked out of you.”
“I know, but…I still feel like a baby.”
His mouth twitches. “Not a baby. Here.” He reaches for the hem of my shirt. “I won’t look.”
“It’s not like there’s much to see,” I quip as my face flames. Did I seriously just mention my lack of boobs to a guy who’s about to see me half-naked?Come on, Violet.“But, even if there was, I’m wearing a bra, so…”
“I won’t look,” he repeats. “Raise your arms the best you can. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Prepping for the familiar anaconda of agony through my ribcage, I take a deep breath and lift my arms as far as I can, panting as he slips my T-shirt over my head. “Okay, yeah,” I exhale. “Yeah, that hurt.”
“You good?” he asks.
I force myself to nod, no matter how much it feels like a lie. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”
“Shit, Vi.” He leans to one side, bending closer to examine my bruised ribcage, so I do the same. Sure enough, my side is a rainbow of red, purple, and blue. Okay, I take back the acting like a baby thing. I have every reason to be whining. That shit looks awful.
“Damn,” he mumbles.
“You should see the other guy.” Jagger’s attention snaps to my face. “Just kidding,” I add. “He looks fine.”
The same tightness in his jaw reappears. “Do I need to worry about him searching for you?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“You’re sure?”
“He got what he wanted.”
“Vi,” he warns.
“He took the money.” A lump forms from those four simple words, but I swallow past it. “That’s all he wanted, and I was…I was stupid. I fought him for it. And lost.” I motion to my battered face. “Obviously.”
It’s shameful. Admitting my missteps out loud. But I’m not one to run from shit, so it is what it is. I screwed up. Now, theonly thing to do is to move forward. Even if it sucks. Even if it means showing up on my enemy’s doorstep in hopes of cashing in on his pity and receiving his help.
If only I couldn’t feel Jagger’s stare on the side of my face. I twist my fingers in my lap, unsure what else to say. I’ve already admitted the truth. That, in a way, this is partially my fault.
His hands find my thighs and squeeze gently before he gives in, changing the subject. “Let me check to see if any of your ribs are broken.” His fingertips trail along my side and stop just beneath my right boob. Goosebumps break out along my skin from the innocent touch. It reminds me of exactly how close we are. Hell, he’s literally standing between my parted thighs. His hands on my bare skin. While I sit here in my bra. Half-naked.
And maybe it’s because I’m already drained from everything that’s happened tonight, but this is a dangerous position to be in. I feel vulnerable, and alone, and I could really use being held right now. That much, I know.
“Fuck,” he repeats, oblivious to my inner thoughts. “How many times?”
I blink, forcing myself to the present. “What?”
“How many times did he kick you?”
The harsh words only exhaust me more. “Jagger…”
“Answer me,” he orders.
“I don’t…I don’t know. It was a blur.”
His nod is slow, but he doesn’t say anything else. He simply goes back to taking note of the damage. “Gonna be a rough few days.”
