Page 10 of Jagger's Remorse
The scars that speak of violence survived.
The complete lack of fear despite being surrounded by men discussing her rape and murder.
"She'll talk."
"Brother," Squirrel says carefully, "you sure about this? You seem... invested."
I stand, pulling her up by the arm. "Miguel Delgado haunts me. Maybe finishing what I started will help me sleep."
It's the truth, just not the way they think.
"Take her then." Squirrel waves his hand. "But I want results, Jagger. Information or blood. Preferably both."
"You'll get them." I cut her zip ties with my knife, noting how she doesn't flinch when the blade comes close.
Her wrists are raw, bleeding, but she doesn't make a sound.
"Can you walk?" She tests her legs, wobbles slightly.
"I can crawl if you prefer," she says sweetly. "I know men like you enjoy that."
Digger laughs. "Fuck, I like her. Sure you don't want to share, Jagger?"
"Touch her and I'll cut your hands off."
The words come out before I can stop them.
Too possessive. Too revealing.
Squirrel's eyes narrow. "Get her out of here," he orders. "Before this becomes a problem."
I grab Scarlett's arm and steer her toward the door.
She comes willingly, almost eagerly.
As we pass Joaquin, he grabs her other arm. "Remember,puta. We want what your father stole. Names, routes, locations. You talk, maybe you live. You don't..." He shrugs. "There are worse things than death."
She leans into him, and for a second I think she's going to collapse.
Instead, she whispers something in Spanish too low for me to catch.
Joaquin's face goes white.
He releases her like she's burned him.
"What did you say to him?" I demand once we're outside. "I told him my godfather sends his regards."
"Your godfather?"
She looks up at me, amber eyes bright with something that might be madness. Or victory.
"Eduardo Vasquez. You know, the plaza boss whose nephew you murdered?" She laughs, the sound sharp as breaking glass. "Did you really think you were killing just any cartel thief, Jagger? Or that I was just any college girl?"
"Fuck."
"The only reason he hasn't dragged me back to Mexico is because I've been feeding him updates. Playing the traumatized goddaughter who needs time to heal. Buying myself space to plan."
Fuck. I push her toward my room, mind racing.
