Page 28 of Jagger
“They think it has something to do with the picture I took that you gave to Nitro.” I heard shuffling in the background, but I kept speaking. “Jagger has reason to believe it was my picture that made them focus on me, so I’m going back to Rapid City until they can figure this out.”
“What’s to figure out? If someone was killed, then we need to call the authorities.”
“Dad, get real. The four officers we have on the reservation don’t have any experience with something like this, and the last thing we need is the governor sending in federal agents to take over. Historically, that hasn’t boded very well for us.”
“I feel like I need to talk to Trent,” he responded.
“Please, give him a call, but understand something. He won’t go too much into detail so that you have plausible deniability.”
“How will I know if you’re safe?”
I looked at the motorcycle in front of me, carrying the first man I could see myself with forever, and answered honestly. “Because Jagger wouldn’t let anything happen to his ol’ lady.”
Sighing, he asked, “You too?”
I chuckled briefly and replied, “He’s a good man, Dad. He just has some trust issues after his father, but I promise, there isn’t anyone on this planet who could keep me as safe as he will.”
“Well, I’m not calling him some rock-n-roll name, so tell me what his real name is so I know whose ass to kick if he hurts you again.”
“Lincoln Philips.”
“You tell Lincoln Philips that if one single hair on your head is hurt, I will hunt him down like my ancestors did our enemies and I will sacrifice him to the gods.”
“Damn, Dad, that’s harsh.”
“That’s life, my only daughter.” He added, “I want a phone call when you get there and one a day until they’ve caught this person who killed Nitro. Am I clear?”
“Yes, sir,” I responded, trying to think if I’d ever heard my father be so stern. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, kiddo. Please be safe.”
“I promise.”
He hung up the phone, and I made a quick call to Granny. I didn’t tell her anything about the box, only that Jagger had convinced me to return to Rapid City to speak with him, and I was trying to beat the storm.
“Make sure that man keeps you warm,” Granny chuckled.
“I’ll try,” I replied, trying not to hurl at the thought of Granny getting her freak on.
The speedometer showed a hundred miles an hour as we flew down the road. I loved this part of the country, with its wide-open spaces, rolling green fields in the summer, giant blue skies, and very little traffic. Most of the towns were centered on a grocery, gas station, or church, and the residents lived on their ranches, far away from cities or people. They were good-hearted, hard-working people who just wanted the same things everyone else did, but they wanted it alone and not around anyone.
Jagger put on his blinker when we approached a crossroads that appeared to have two gas stations.Metropolis, I thought to myself as I pulled up behind him at the gas pump. He started the bike fueling and walked back to me as I got out of my car. The wind was whipping, and the chill was cutting me to the bone, so he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his warm body.
“We should fill your car up and grab some snacks before we get back on the road. The weather is slowing down, but we don’t want to get caught out in it.”
“I’ll grab drinks and snacks if you can start filling my car,” I offered and tried to hand him my debit card from my purse.
“I’ve got it, darlin’. Get what you want, and I’ll be inside to pay for it in a few,” Jagger instructed, and I followed his orders, though I didn’t need him to pay for things.
I had money from a few pictures I’d sold, and with my percentage of payout from the tribe, I was comfortable. Not rich or poor, but I was able to pay for a soda and bag of chips for myself. After using the bathroom and washing my hands, I walked out of the restroom and saw Jagger looking frantically around the store. When his eyes landed on me, I saw him visibly exhale as he strode over to me.
“Sorry. I had to use the bathroom,” I said, and he placed a kiss on top of my head.
“I got worried when I didn’t see you,” he explained, and I hugged myself to him quickly before releasing my hold.
“Let’s get going so we miss the weather,” I said, and we both started grabbing drinks and food for the trip.
He paid for everything, and when we got back outside, he walked me to my car and opened the driver’s door to help me inside. Leaning in, he kissed me on the lips, keeping it simple but filled with possibilities. When he pulled back, before closing the door, he remarked, “I’m going to push the next section a little faster. Are you comfortable with keeping up?”
