Arianne smiled. “He was furious because I wouldn’t hide in the kitchen where it was safe.”
“But he respected you for taking a stand,” Dawn said. “You’re his equal and he knows it. Viper knows it, too. You and Jagger together must be his worst nightmare. He could barely deal with each of you alone. Now you’ve found the part of yourself you lost chasing after something that was always here. You always had the strength to carve out any kind of life you wanted. Jagger just makes it that much easier. Having him by your side only makes you stronger; it doesn’t take anything away.”
“When did you get so smart?”
Dawn’s eyes lit with a warm glow. “Observant, not smart. And I’ve got a particular weakness for watching people fall in love.”
Love? Arianne didn’t know much about love but she did know Dawn was right about one thing. She was stronger, physically and emotionally. Only a few months ago, she would never have had the confidence to stand up to Viper, shoot Leo, or hit the president of the Sinner’s Tribe MC with a pool cue to save her friend. At sixteen years old, she’d found her way around the biker code and forced Viper to let her go. If she really wanted to be with Jagger on equal terms and spare Jeff’s life, she’d find her way around those rules again.
Whatever you want; whatever you need, I’ll find a way. Jagger’s words drifted through her mind. Maybe he’d been telling her he would find a way, too.
A cough drew her attention, and she looked up and smiled. “Wheels.”
He didn’t return her greeting. “I gotta talk to you. It’s important.” He glanced around the bar, and then gestured to the stockroom. “You got a minute? Can we talk back there?”
“Sure.” Her pulse kicked up a notch as she led him into the stockroom. Was this a trap? An ambush? Had Jagger sent Wheels and his men to take her back? She felt the familiar weight of her .38 on her lower leg and her tension dissipated. Although not an easy draw, the gun was there if she needed it.
“What’s wrong?” She turned to face Wheels, carefully positioning herself with her back to the wooden shelving, and within steps of the door.
Wheels raked a hand through his blond hair, his face haggard with worry. “It’s Jagger. Viper’s got him. I know you’re leaving tonight, but I thought you should know.”
Her hand flew to her mouth. “Have the Sinners gone after him? Do they know where he is?”
“They know.” Wheels exhaled an irritated breath. “The executive board is getting the brothers together for a rescue mission, but they’re taking so damn long. They wanted to hold a meeting first to decide on a plan.”
“A meeting?” Her voice rose to a shriek. “Viper’s not going to keep Jagger around long enough for them to have a meeting. And that doesn’t sound like Zane. When it comes to Jagger, he acts quickly, decisively. Maybe I should call and tell them there’s no time to waste—”
She cut herself off, her head jerking to the side when she heard a sound behind the shelving near the door to the parking lot. But before she could investigate Wheels coughed, and she turned away.
“Phones are turned off during meetings,” he said. “But I’m sure they’ll get going soon. I just thought … maybe you’d want to know before you left. Not that you can do anything…”
Not that you can do anything?
There was a hell of a lot she could do: She could ride faster than any of the damn Sinners; she could shoot better than most of them, too; and she knew Viper. She could offer herself up if he let Jagger go.
But that meant she would miss her chance to escape. And the Sinners were probably already on the road.
She looked through the window of the stockroom door to where Dawn was serving drinks to a table of rowdy college kids in the corner. The same table where Jagger had watched her and almost stabbed a Devil Dog for pinching her ass. Even now she remembered the thrill of seeing him, the take-your-breath-away moment when he’d winked and she realized he wasn’t there by chance. He’d come to see her.
Banks was making the rounds, weaving his way among the tables as he greeted the regulars. When anyone gestured to his face, he just shrugged, seemingly unconcerned that he looked like he’d been in a car wreck.
Just for show.
Jagger had hurt Banks to protect her. Claimed her to keep her out of Viper’s clutches. Professed his love, then broken her heart to keep her safe. If she asked him to spare Jeff’s life, he would find a way.
Memories came back, all in a rush—Jagger’s warmth and gentle teasing, his protectiveness, his body so strong and hard and firm against her. And the indescribable feeling of being safe and cared for in his arms.
Mine.