Page 102 of Forged in Rain

“Where’s John?” He asks, dropping me and spinning me around.

Wincing at his grip, I raise my chin and say, “I don’t know.”

“Bullshit. Where is the fucker? He thinks he can pull one over on me?” Jagger says, leaning into my face.

I turn away from his heated breath, sucking in air slowly.

This is my one chance, and if I blow it, I’m fucked. Jagger shoves me against the vehicle, and I bite my lip to keep from crying out.

Grabbing my chin, he says, “I want answers. Now.”

Nodding, I say, “Okay. Please, just back off.”

He drops his arm with a wicked smirk, and I waste no time stepping into him and raising my knee. He drops over and grabs his nuts while I slide away.

“Bitch,” he breathes, but I’m focused on escape.

“Fuck off,” I mutter, grunting when he swings around and shoves me to my knees.

“Oomph,” I cry, my palms stinging.

Grabbing a handful of rocks, I throw them in his face and rise, getting in one good step before he’s picking me up and swinging me around again.

“What’s going on here?”

We both look up, and I slump as a man exits his vehicle and approaches with a frown. Thank fuck for the good Samaritan.

“None of your business,” Jagger barks, but the man merely raises a brow.

“I think you need to back off the little lady,” he says, shifting, so his firearm is obvious to see on his hip.

Jagger huffs but steps back, his arms wide. The man eases his stance, and Jagger glances at me with a frown. “This isn’t over.”

“Yes, it is. I don’t have any money. Wherever John went, he took it with him.”

Jagger eyes me but doesn’t comment before sliding into his car and revving his engine. The posturing is not lost on me, and I stare after him, my palms slick with sweat.

“You okay, miss?”

Nodding shakily, I say, “Yes.”

Normally, I wouldn’t accept a ride from a stranger, but when he offers, I readily agree. Safe for another day. But how long can this last?

Chapter Twenty

The following few days are mundane in comparison, and I welcome the peace even as I worry over my encounter with Jagger.

I’m quite sure whatever he had planned wasn’t going to end well for me. But if Iris lied about the money, then what?

Once again, I’m in the dark, and I feel like I’m missing the final piece of the puzzle. The problem is, I don’t think I want to know, but it’s barreling down on me anyway.

As usual, Cyn has ignored me completely, and although my heart aches at the distance, I’ve been better about letting it go.

Iris has been busy with whatever the hell she’s planning, and I’m entirely sure I don’t want to know.

It’s Friday, and I’m exhausted, but when I finally walk through the door, Iris is waiting for me in the kitchen.

“Good. You’re here. Let’s go.”

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