Chapter FIFTEEN
David was worried about Britton. She hadn’t really touched base in much detail since she went deep undercover with Jagger. Her phone call was very cryptic, asking him to meet her at their favorite brunch place. She hung up quickly, without any information hinting at how her case was shaping up. David had no idea what was in store for this meeting, but protecting her was more important to him than knowing all the information.
He sat outside at their regular table, waiting for her arrival. He pictured what she would be wearing, how her hair was styled. He couldn’t wait for this operation to be over. Then, he could know she was safe, and he wouldn’t be checking his phone every minute to make sure she wasn’t somehow sending a distress signal. He cursed himself. Why had he pushed her to cover this case? Why hadn’t he seen the danger he had put her in? He threw his head back, tossing over the predicament of her situation.
He was in a daze, but quickly fell out of it when he caught sight of his agent. He smiled, finally guaranteed that she was safe and unharmed. Her hair was down, clinging to her shoulders, and the wind was bouncing loose strands onto her cheeks. She was dressed comfortably. He hadn’t seen her out of her suit jacket very often; he couldn’t help but stare at the perfect body hiding underneath her snug t-shirt. Her dark washed jeans hugged her curves, accentuating her slim hips. David couldn't stop thinking about their kiss. Had it meant something more to her? Had she felt their connection under her terrycloth robe?
Britton’s eyes widened and her lips curled down as she approached him. What was she trying to tell him? Was there a reason he should be on alert? She reached the table, and he stood to greet her. Standing beside her was a giant of a man. If they had been friends, he would’ve joked that he blocked out the sun. He squinted his eyes and peered up at the man’s face. He looked somehow familiar. Then it hit him. She'd brought Jagger to their meeting. Did Jagger know he was in the Bureau? What had she told him? He was struck with horror. Had Britton turned sides? Did she fall for this man’s spell?
“Hi David.” She hugged him close, ignoring Jagger’s obvious grunt.
She hugged him. Okay, she was still playing the part of the girlfriend.
“Who is your friend, hon?” He played along.
“David, this is Jagger. He’s umm…my…” She didn’t know how to finish that statement. What exactly was he?
Jagger jumped in. “I’m her new boyfriend, so her old boyfriend has to hit the road.”
“Excuse me?” David was not used to being talked to in such a manner. “You can’t just come in here and take my girlfriend away from me.” Why did he feel the need to stand up to this man? Britton was obviously convincing enough for the operation.
“Can’t I?” Jagger stood up straighter, towering over David.
“Jagger I can handle this.” Britton jumped in, afraid of what he might do.
“David, I haven’t been happy lately. You’re just not the man I want to be with.”
David knew this was a line to strengthen her story, but the words still stung. What if he really wasn’t the man she wanted to be with? What if she was truly falling in love with the beast? He also hated that she was separating him from the case. How was he supposed to protect her now?
“So you want to be with him?”
“I do.”
“Why?”
Jagger wanted this to end. “She just told you why. Now get the f*ck out of here.”
“David, I’m so sorry.” She hugged him again, and whispered in his ear that she had everything under control.
Jagger began to pace. Why was she still hugging him? He hated that David was still touching her. Why wouldn’t he get his filthy hands off of his Britton? “Okay, I’m putting an end to this.” He pulled Britton out of David’s embrace and dragged her away from the table.
David wanted to scream at him to get his hands off of her, but he couldn’t ruin this for Britton. She was a good agent. She could take care of herself. How many times would he have to remind himself of that?
He watched as Jagger walked her to the car and opened the passenger side door for her. Upon closing the door, Jagger glanced back at David, but his farewell glare was not a boasting one. It was, in fact, a worried one. David could tell that Jagger feared Britton’s relationship with him; it made him uneasy that she could be with someone else other than him. Little did he know that David was only ever able to desire her touch. He was not privy to her intimacy. That was currently reserved for only Jagger Stromm: the tall, the striking, the childhood love, and the criminal. David couldn’t wait to take him down.