Page 74 of Jagger

“What if I already do?”

We had a way of communicating even when silence seemed to be the main objective. She was struggling with telling me anything, but I sensed her need. The same damn need I had. Two strangers had found each other, coming together during a period in both our lives that anyone might run from. Only she was about the strongest woman I’d ever met. I’d been able to see that within her more every day.

“The crossbow was something a foster father showed me how to use. It was the single Christmas gift I ever received until later in life when I had friends. I wasn’t around long enough in any single home to enjoy holiday celebrations. He made certain I respected it as a weapon, providing invaluable lessons. I was even on a crossbow team in high school. I kept it throughout college and when I went to medical school, maybefor sentimental reasons, but I do know how to use it and I won’t hesitate to do so if I need to.”

“To keep your daughter safe.”

“To keep anyone I care about safe, which only accounts for two people.”

“Including her father,” I said.

“Hell, no. He’s dead to me and has been since he refused to acknowledge he was the biological father. I mean my daughter and you.”

The closeness we shared was still strained yet I craved touching her. As I cupped her face, the warmth I felt in my hand tingled my fingers. “That means a lot to me, but as you might imagine, I can take pretty good care of myself.”

“I’ve noticed that.” She nuzzled into my hand. “As far as why you couldn’t find my graduation certificate, it’s because I’m using my maiden name. Well, my mother’s name. I never formally used it until I had to.”

“Does anyone else know?” Including whoever had beaten her.

“No. It was something I knew I had to keep to myself. I was forced to use every last name in a foster family when enrolled in school. I don’t know if it was a requirement of the agency who farmed me out to people or not. Maybe since they hadn’t bothered to look for family, they thought the choice better than giving me a fake name like Smith or Jones. I just went with it. I had almost nothing of my mother’s, except for a letter she’d written me about why she’d dropped me off in a hospital trashcan. No name. I had it safely stored in plastic and had afriend who was able to get DNA off it. One thing led to another and I was given her information.”

“I’m sure that gave you relief.”

“I don’t know, Jagger. She didn’t want me. She preferred sticking a needle in her arm. But she had a name and I had a connection to someone who had my blood. So after all the shit with my ex, I adopted it when I left Baltimore. I do have my diploma. I locked it away in a safe box inside the Mercedes, a vehicle you hate.”

“I didn’t say I hated it.” I knew she was teasing me, but I was far too angry with circumstances to feel anything but fury.

“Yes, you did,” she retorted, her laugh returning. “But that’s okay. I don’t blame you. I hate it too.”

“Then we’ll get you a new one.”

“With all that money you earn?”

Now I laughed. “You’d be surprised what a hired mercenary earns, sweet lady. I didn’t need much either so I’m worth a pretty penny.”

She inched closer. “I’ll keep that in mind. Maybe I’ll marry you for your money.”

“I don’t think I’d mind.”

“Don’t tempt me.” She even rested her head on my chest.

I stroked her hair, feeling her entire body shivering. “Why are you running, baby? Why is this asshole texting you with threats?”

It took her a full minute to lift her head. “I’m married, Jagger.”

I immediately pushed myself away. “Married?”

“Separated, the divorce final any day. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I just wasn’t certain what this was or if I could trust you. You don’t know how powerful my ex is.”

“What’s your married name?”

She hesitated before telling me. “Bella Brockford.”

Brockford. The name sounded vaguely familiar.

“You couldn’t trust me with sharing you were married?” Something was very off about this.

“With telling you he’s a monster.”

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