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I slammed the door, quickly adjusting myself as I glanced around. The parking lot had steadily emptied while I’d been waiting for Shaw, but there were still several vehicles spread out. I saw a few girls standing by some girlie convertible w
ith their phones pointed in my direction, their mouths hanging open in shock, but they hadn’t even tried to help my girl. I was glad they hadn’t interfered, but it pissed me off that they hadn’t bothered to assist her.
What if I’d been some rapist or kidnapper? Didn’t they care that I could have hurt her? Was videoing me more important than saving someone?
Figuring they would get a good payday from their video if they sold it, I sighed and got behind the wheel. Starting the vehicle, I reversed from the parking spot. Once we were on the road, I hit the Bluetooth on the steering wheel. “Call Mieke Carmichael.”
“What the fuck are you calling Mieke for?” Shaw complained from the back seat. I knew better than to let my guard down. Just because she wasn’t fighting me now didn’t mean she wouldn’t try to attack me as soon as we got to where we were going.
“Hey, Shaw.” Mieke’s voice filled the car. “What’s up, sugar butt? Are you doing okay? I know—”
“Mieke, it’s Jagger,” I interrupted as I made a right turn. “I have a huge favor to ask. Shaw and I were just videoed, and it’s probably about to hit social media—if it hasn’t already. Can you make it disappear?”
I heard her sigh heavily. “You owe me so big for this,” she muttered. “Consider it done, but only because I figure Shaw can’t take much more at this point. Just don’t bitch at me when I call in the favor.”
“Thanks, Mieke.”
“No problem. Tell Shaw I said hey, and if she needs to talk, I’m here. I know she must be losing her mind right now.”
Before I could ask what she meant, she hung up. I lifted my gaze to the rearview mirror. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she looked out the side window, but I saw her chin tremble, and my gut clenched with trepidation.
“Did something happen?”
“How long is it going to take to get wherever we need to be?” she tossed at me instead of answering my question. “I need to get home.”
“It may take a little bit,” I told her and focused on the road once again.
She was quiet the rest of the drive, and I kept glancing in the mirror at her. Something was bothering her, but I didn’t know if it was all because of what happened Saturday night or if something else might have happened. It seemed as if Mieke knew what was going on, but she lived in Nashville. She and Shaw were friends and talked at least once a week, but if something was really bothering my girl, she would talk to Violet about it before she would Mieke.
I found a place to park in front of Ma’s building and got out, taking Shaw’s bag with me. Opening the back door, I reached in to offer her my hand, but she slapped it away. I stepped back and let her out. After locking up the car, I guided her across the street and into the building.
Security took a minute to get through because people were still coming and going steadily even though it was the end of a normal person’s workday. Others got on the elevator with us, but Shaw and I were the only ones to get off on the floor where Ma’s office was.
As we left the elevator, Rachel, my mom’s assistant, was already waiting for us. Seeing me, she smiled. “Everyone is already in the conference room,” she informed me. Her eyes landed on Shaw, and her face softened. “Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”
Shaw only shook her head and turned in the direction of the conference room without my having to urge her. “Let’s just get whatever this is over with,” she muttered.
Rachel gave me a grimace. “Good luck,” she said quietly.
“Thanks,” I said, blowing out a heavy breath. “Looks like I’m going to need it.”
She patted me on the arm. “I’m sure she’s just got a lot on her mind, considering.”
I froze. “Considering what?”
Her brows pulled together. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” I demanded. “Have I missed something, Rachel?”
She pressed her lips into a hard line and shook her head. “I’m sure you’ll know all about it soon enough. I just assumed—”
“Jagger,” Shaw snapped. She was standing in front of the conference room door. Hands on her hips, she tapped her foot impatiently. “I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I’m not about to go into that room blind without you. Let’s go so I can get home.”
“I’m coming, baby.” I jogged down the hall to her, but instead of reaching for the door, I caught her by the hips and pulled her into me.
She was stiff against me, and I could feel the tension coiling her muscles. Lifting one hand, I tipped up her chin so she would meet my eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong, Dimples,” I commanded softly.
“What’s wrong is that you brought me here for fuck knows what, and I need to be home,” she snipped. “God forbid that something happen in anyone else’s life. Jagger has a problem that needs solving, so let’s solve it and fuck everyone else.”
