Page 19 of Jagger
The bus rolls forward, and I heave a sigh of relief—with every stop it makes away from my aunt's house, I feel safer. I doubt Marley is dead, and if he is, good fucking riddance to him. One less pervert in the world. But if he is dead, then my aunt would blame me, and the police would be looking for me. I swallow, praying I can get out of this city before the police have me on their radar.
I could've called Jagger, but he would probably laugh at me and make things worse. It's his fault I'm having to leave in the first place. If he hadn't called Lawson…
I shiver as the bus stops again, and a hooded figure climbs on, walking past me to the back of the bus. I exhale when hepasses me, my heart in my throat at the thought of it being Lawson or?—
No. I have to stop these thoughts. Lawson may not even come to town. But I know deep in my heart that Lawson will always want me back, not because he loves me or anything absurd like that, but because he thinks I'm his property.
As Colton had said, Jagger thought of me as hisproperty.
What the fuck is it with men and owning women?With Lawson, it was money and power. I see him now for what he is—a pimp. A controlling, abusive, nasty pimp. I never saw any money I 'earned,' and when I got away from him, he went crazy. I shudder, my heart rate accelerating at the memory. But Aphrodite's departure saved me. She'd promised we would go to Spain to live with her family. Mobsters, no less. My best friend was a mafia princess, meaning Jagger was also involved with the mafia.
My head aches, and I hunt in my bag for painkillers. I find two and take them with the last of my water, resting my head on the headrest, letting the bus's vibration soothe me. But it's hard. I'm worried about everything—will I make it out of here alive?
What if the police find me? Will I be arrested?It's too much, I can't bear to think about it. All I need to do is get to the airport and jump on the first flight out of here, and the rest will be history. I can dye my hair, change my appearance, ditch the credit card…and then what?
I refuse to sell my body ever again.
I'll find a job until Aphrodite makes it to Spain. Then I'll meet her there.
I'm happy I have some kind of plan. I turn off my phone in case people are trying to track me. I slip the SIM out and hide the phone under the seat. I'll get a new one at the airport.
I have to switch buses at a few stops, and that's the last leg of this journey. I should've grabbed a cab, but a bus seemed better.I stare out the window and imagine what it would be like to have what Jagger had teased me with—a boyfriend who loves me. I knew that would never be him—I'm not stupid—but I dare to imagine the fantasy.
I doubt Jagger will ever stroke anyone's face lovingly or rub their shoulders if they've had a stressful day. Or pepper little kisses on their neck, laughing as he tells them what he wants to do to them. My core floods with warmth at the thought, and I shake my head.
Jagger isn't boyfriend material.He brought the devil to my door—and made me leave town before my best friend had a chance to come home.
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes, but I refuse to let them—I've cried enough.
Aphrodite will find me.
"Did you kill the old man?" a voice rasps from behind me, and my insides freeze. My skin floods with goosebumps as their breath heats my skin.
It can't be. No.
"Did you? I saw the police and the ambulance. Is that why you're running, Doll?"
Doll.
A whimper leaves my lips, and I glance around us, desperately trying to see if anyone can help me. But it's four in the morning.
Who's going to help me?
"Lawson," I whisper as he caresses my cheek, making my hands tremble violently. "Don't touch me!"
"Oh, come on now, Doll. We don't have to be like that." Lawson chuckles, but it's clear he's pissed. "Get off at the next stop. Cause a scene, and I'll gut you in front of the driver and serve time happily knowing you're dead."
I swallow my fear and try to breathe through my nose—I know he isn't fucking around. Lawson had killed in front of me before, so there are no hidden threats here. I'd have to do exactly what he said. No amount of deep breathing and calming my frantic brain will work here. My self-help books are useless. I'd even tried to prepare for this moment, but I hadn't expected him to find me. I should've run the second Jagger told me he'd spoken to Lawson. Invited him here.
Now, thanks to Jagger, my monster has found me. And he'll never let me go.
12
JAGGER
I drag my hands through my hair before lighting the millionth cigarette of the day, inhaling deeply.
Where the fuck is Molly?
