Chapter TWENTY-TWO
“David!” Britton called as she tried to run toward him. Jagger shot out his powerful arm and stopped her.
“I said: how did he get here?”
“Why would I know?”
“Well I certainly didn’t tell him where our warehouse was located.”
“Neither did I.”
He rolled his fingers around her shoulders, desperately trying to refrain from crushing them beneath his fingertips. “Then enlighten me, Britton. Who told him?”
She wanted to tell him it was Hank. It would be the perfect way to get rid of the only glitch in her operation. She opened her mouth, willing herself to lie, but every ounce of her moral judgment stopped her voice. How could she use someone as a scapegoat only to cover her own tracks? The man had a family, and Britton had no idea what Jagger would do if he thought Hank had betrayed him.
Britton’s thoughts raced faster. Not only that, but Jagger had no knowledge of the connection between Hank and David. If he knew that, he would know that David was with the FBI, and then her cover would be completely blown. She couldn’t believe that she had almost slipped up with that information. How much longer would she be able to juggle all her lies?
“I truly don’t know.” She admitted. It was the honest truth.
David began to squirm. He obviously wanted to say something. He wanted Jagger to let go of Britton. He frantically tried to break his bindings. Jagger stepped forward, amused by his efforts.
“Would you like me to remove the gag from your mouth?”
David ceased his struggle and nodded, feeling defeated. Jagger obliged, and pulled Britton to his side, wrapping his free arm around her waist.
“Do you have something you would like to say to us, David?”
“Get your filthy hands off of her.”
“I don’t think that’s a very nice way to talk to someone who has you tied up.”
“I don’t care what happens to me, just let her go.”
“Well, well, well, we have a martyr here.” He grabbed David’s collar and jammed his fist into his neck. “Now, how did you find us?”
David coughed from the pressure on his throat. He knew if he didn’t give him an answer, Britton would be blamed for releasing his secret. “I have GPS on Britton’s phone.”
“What?” Britton was shocked. “David, why?”
“I wanted to make sure you were safe.”
Jagger released his collar and pushed him back onto the chair. “Give me your phone.”
“Jagger.”
“Britton, this is not a request. Give me your phone.” His voice was deep and haunting.
She fished her phone out of her pocket and handed it to him. He threw it on the ground and crushed it under his boot.
“Jagger, please don’t hurt him.” Britton pleaded with him, unfamiliar with the devilish look in his eye.
“But he knows where my family is.”
“Who is he going to tell?”
“I don’t know, but I need to make sure they’re safe, at all costs.”
“Jagger please…I can’t…” She looked at David’s weakened stature. He had blood on his face and his shirt was torn. “I can’t let you hurt him.”
“This is not your call, Britton.”
“Please, please, I’ll do anything.” She jumped in front of David, protecting him.
Jagger stared at her, confused by her surrender. Why was she doing this? Didn’t she understand the gravity of this situation? That a stranger with an obvious vendetta against him now knew where he operated his business?
He lowered his booming voice. “Britton, please move.”
“No.”
She wasn’t going to budge. He needed a different approach.
“What do you suggest I do?”
“Just let him go.” She came closer to him, hoping to weaken his desire to do harm.
“How can I do that?” He was now pleading with her. His patience was being tried. He eyed David. He never let his guard down around his enemies, but he needed to understand Britton. More so, he needed her to understand him, and his previous tactics were proving to be less than fruitful. Why couldn’t David just have done what he was told and let her alone? This whole situation was completely unnecessary. Why was David being so senseless? There was only one reason why he would…of course.
“Do you love her?”
“Jagger.” Britton attempted to stop his query.
“Do you love Britton?” Jagger’s face was now inches from David’s.
“Yes.” He whispered, and continued to nod while his thoughts took him away.
Britton stared at David, unsure if he was playing the part of her ex-boyfriend, or if her superior actually garnered feelings for her over time. His eyes met hers and her mouth dropped open. David shrugged his shoulders in apology. It was a confession.
Jagger stepped away, silent. Of course he loved her. They had been together for the last four years. But what did that mean? Did Britton love him as well? He wanted Britton all to himself, but was she holding on to some requited love for the man he had forced her to break up with under his supervision? How could he be so stupid, so blind? What he had asked her to do was ridiculous and childish on his part. Why did she go along with it?
“Britton, are you scared of me?” He was coming to a realization.
Britton paused, considering Jagger’s assumption. Had she been truly scared of him and that’s what made her bend to his will? Or had it been her desire to succeed as a field agent that kept her spiraling deeper into his game? Or was it only love? Was it a love she wasn’t able to fight?
He couldn’t handle the seconds of anticipation. Jagger pulled her in, crushing her ribs against his. “Are you scared of me?” He implored.
“I don’t know.” She mouthed as tears sprang from her eyes.
“What?” His voice cracked.
“I don’t know.” She buried her face into his chest. Be it from fear, the operation, or love, there was no one she wanted comforting her in that moment other than Jagger. That was where she wanted to be.
He softened, wishing he could take back the last few days of absurdity, or that he could stop himself from what he was about to do. “Hey.” He lifted up her chin. “Hey.” He smiled at her, hoping she would mirror his expression. “It’s all right. I trust you, okay, with all my heart. Britton, I trust you.” He held her tight to his chest, wanting nothing more than to take all her pain away.
What hurt her most was that he actually shouldn’t trust her. She was only positioned there to get inside information and witness his arrest. He had every right to be nervous and cautious. She was playing him. She should be the one tied to the chair. Instead, he was blinded by love, and she could see how much it hurt him every time he strayed from his trust of her. He was beating himself up about it. His instincts were getting in the way of his heart.
Jagger took a deep breath. “I want you to choose.”
She looked up at him. “Choose what?”
“Me or him?”
“What are you talking about?”
“It was wrong of me to assume that after all these years, we could pick up where we left off. You had a life, and I just barged in and forced you to change it. If you want to be with David,” he fought his words, “I’m not going to stop you.”
Britton was stunned. Who was this man standing in front of her? From where did this sudden change come? She didn’t want to leave Jagger: not at all. She had a family again, a nephew, and the love of her life. How could she leave all that behind?
“I choose you.” She quietly announced.
Jagger caught his breath, and his whole body relaxed. She wanted him. After everything he had put her through, she still chose him. “I love you.” His smile took over his face and his dimples pierced his cheeks.
She returned his expression. “I love you too.” She ran into his arms, clutching as tight as she could. She never wanted to let him go. “But please, Jagger let David go...for me. He's innocent in all this.”
David had no idea what he was witnessing. How deep had she gotten herself in? Was she actually in love with this monster? Or was she just that profoundly into the operation? Either way, he believed her: she was either in love with him, or a very good liar. He needed to get her out before she wasn’t able to distinguish between the two. Or was he too late?
“David can go.” Jagger offered.
“Really?” Britton had never felt so relieved.
He looked to David. “But if I ever see you around here again, I’m going to have someone else make that decision for me.”
“I understand.” David nodded.
“Can I…” Britton hinted to Jagger that she wanted to say goodbye.
“Of course.” He kissed her forehead and made his way to the door. He trusted her more than he had ever trusted another person, and he could finally accept that. The thought warmed his heart. She chose him. Britton loved him.
He walked out of the room and pulled the door behind him.
“What the hell are you doing here, David?”