Page 38 of Jagger's Remorse

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"Answer it," she orders. "Play your part. Mourn your dead. And remember—this is just day one."

I answer, Squirrel's voice exploding through the speaker.

But I keep my eyes on her.

On this creature, I created with mercy.

With a single moment of humanity I can't take back.

She mouths something while Squirrel rages about ambushes and blood.

Three words that chill me more than any threat:

Stations of the Cross.

The Catholic in me recognizes the reference.

Christ's path to crucifixion.

Fourteen stops on the way to death.

And I realize with cold certainty—she's not just here for revenge.

She's here for my complete destruction.

One station at a time.

The first station: Jesus is condemned to death.

And I've just been judged guilty.

CHAPTER FOUR

Scarlett

The burner phone vibrates against my ribs at 3 AM.

Tucked away in the tank top's built-in bra, right where baby-face slipped it during our planned collision.

Jagger's breathing stays even across the room.

Still in his chair.

Still watching.

Still pretending he's not completely fucked.

I slide the phone free, careful not to rattle the chain.

The display shows a butterfly emoji.

Diego.

My first teacher, my first mistake, my first kill that actually meant something.

I answer in barely a whisper. "You're early."

"Princesa, yourtíosgrow impatient." His voice hasn't changed—honey over broken glass. "The old man wants updates."