Page 94 of Jagger's Remorse
"This," I gesture at the wound. "Everything. Bringing Eduardo into our lives."
"Our lives," he repeats. "I like that."
"How can you be so calm?" I demand. "I just branded you like cattle. Made you cartel property."
"No," he corrects. "You marked me as yours. The cartel thinks they own me, but we know the truth."
"Which is?" I ask.
"I belong to you," he states. "Have since that night five years ago. This just makes it official."
"Jagger—" I start.
"I love you," he interrupts. "Not sure when it happened. Maybe when you stabbed me. Maybe before. But I do."
The words I've been avoiding.
The truth I've been denying.
"I love you, too," I admit. "God help me, I do."
He kisses me then.
Careful of his wound.
Careful of our hearts.
Like we're both something that might break if handled roughly.
"We're going to survive this," he promises.
"Together?" I ask.
"Together," he confirms.
A knock interrupts us.
"Church," Poncho calls. "Time to vote."
We dress carefully.
Him in his cut over a fresh shirt.
Me in jeans and a tank top, his crow pendant still around my neck.
As we head to the chapel, we pass Raven.
She looks at me, takes in the blood on my hands.
The brand smell still clinging to my clothes.
Something shifts in her expression.
Not trust.
Not yet.
But maybe the beginning of her understanding why I do what I do.
