Page 15 of Jagger

“Just be careful, Bella. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

“I have no intention of allowing that to happen, girlie. I’ll call you in a couple days.”

“You better. Look, do you need some money? I know the bastard froze your accounts. I’ll wire you some if you need it.”

She had a trust fund she tried not to use so money wouldn’t be an issue, but I just couldn’t stand the thought of borrowing from her. “I’m okay for now.”

“Are you sure I can’t get my cousin to convince Joel he needs to unfreeze those accounts?”

A nervous laugh popped from my lips. “Just hold onto that thought.”

“I will. Good night, girl. I’m going to remain worried. Call me.”

“Yes, Mother.”

I tossed the phone onto the couch, leaning back and trying to absorb what I’d actually done. My actions had taken courage and a little of the chutzpa that had been robbed from me. Just surviving wasn’t an option. Neither was just building a new life. I’d done so a dozen times before. It was old hat.

Although with Cally in tow, whatever decisions I made would have her best interest at heart. Plus, I had to make money. Everything was so complicated: name, my credentials, everything.

Hopefully, time would allow me to figure out how to handle the huge mess.

As I closed my eyes, my mind played tricks on me as usual and I almost jerked up from the couch, certain he was in the room. As usual, the bastard won a small battle once again. A single tear slipped down my cheek.

What bothered me even more than being here alone in an unknown location was the sick feeling that something was coming, something dark and scary. Maybe I was certain Joel would make good on his threats.

But what if it was something else, something equally as terrifying?

CHAPTER 6

Jagger

“What do you mean you can’t deliver?” I barked into the phone. I was furious I’d counted on a service that I’d considered sketchy in the first place.

“Have you looked outside, buddy?” Bronco asked. With a name like Bronco, one would expect him to be a linebacker or a hired gun. Maybe a bouncer. He had the deep, cigarette-laden voice, but standing at just five foot seven and weighing barely one hundred and ten pounds, he’d never win a fight.

He certainly didn’t want to enter a boxing ring with me.

The thought had always made me smile. Today, I was pissed at the dude. “It’s snowing. It does that in the mountains. So the fuck what?”

“So, it’s called the storm of the century for a damn reason. I have two drivers out due to the weather, the wife of another going into premature labor. I got no one to bring your shit to the resort.”

“I pay you top dollar.” Somehow, I’d allowed myself to become involved with ensuring our deliveries were made on time. Hunter had managed to rope me into that duty two months before.

The asshole.

“Maybe, if I’m damn lucky, I can get that to you late today. But I ain’t makin’ no promises.”

“Late today? Not good enough. After this storm, you and I are talking about your current contract.” My signature was hanging up on people. I couldn’t stand excuses or bullshit, which I was forced to experience more often outside of my former regiment. The world of hospitality was entirely different than what I was used to.

I stormed toward the window, throwing back the curtains. I’d managed to get the cabin that had obviously been decorated by a woman. Frilly curtains. Bold colors on the walls. I’d been in Danger Falls for months and all I’d managed to do was toss out the corny pillows and artwork of cows on the walls.

The goddamn curtains were next.

Yes, it was snowing. More than I’d seen since the mission I’d accepted in upper Alaska. I’d nearly frozen my nuts off as I’d waited for sign of the target. At least four inches were on the ground already, the fall rate about an inch an hour and expected to rise. It was nothing my Range Rover couldn’t withstand.

I’d purchase the goddamn groceries myself. It was only a few miles into town.

My second cup of coffee left untouched, I grabbed my parka and keys, heading for the door. It wasn’t in anyone’s best interest toinfuriate me this early in the day. I didn’t make it to my damn vehicle before Hunter pulled up, barely getting the gear into park before jumping out.

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