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“I’m fine, Jessy, I swear.” Lincoln was trying not to be grouchy but it was hard. His mother had come over to his apartment just this morning and practically force fed him like a baby. Now Jessy kept asking him how he felt every five minutes. They made him feel like he was a wuss.
“Sorry.” She pouted, looking sad. The minx knew how to get him. Lincoln rubbed his face trying to find his patience. He wanted to be out there working alongside his brother, not sitting like a child on the couch because he had a boo- boo. He had planned to move his things to Jessy’s house, too, but now he had to put it off for a few days. That made him feel cranky. When he had a plan, he didn’t like for it to be interrupted.
“Come sit on the couch with me, sweetheart. That will make me feel better,” he told Jessy, trying to smile even though his head did hurt.
She smiled and sat next to him carefully. Her hands went to his chest and rubbed him softly. “It makes me feel better, too. I feel guilty, Lincoln.”
“Why?” He was confused. The blame was on Jagger. He wanted to face that asshole man to man, but Jagger was being a pussy and hiding in New York. The police said he was on the run and Abel was ready to welcome him to Brook Hollow.
“If you would not have gotten involved with me, you would have been safe. This is my worst nightmare,” she confessed. Lincoln leaned down and kissed her lips lightly. His head ached, but he didn’t want to tell her that or she would fuss over him.
“Jagger will not get away with this, Jessy,” he promised. “He is going to pay for all the pain he caused you and Lily. Abel is like a bulldog when it comes to messing with his family. He will not let this go.”
“I don’t blame him,” Jessy murmured quietly with a yawn. “You could have been killed. Your whole family was frantic when the EMT brought you in. Abel was livid.”
Lincoln rubbed her back in small circles. He felt touched she had sat watching him all night in the hospital. The damn nurses kept shaking him awake all night. Abel and Sam had patrolled the hallways just in case Jagger was around. He was glad to be out of that damn place and home.
“You and Lily are part of our family now, Jessy. There’s no turning back,” he teased.
“I like having a family. It feels nice,” she whispered sleepily. She snuggled close to him and he yawned, too. Holding her was comfortable. He leaned his head back and forced his body to relax.
Lincoln felt his throat swell with emotions at her whispered words. It wasn’t long before she was snoring. He found it cute and held her tight. She had become precious to him. Jagger would not harm one hair on her head if he had anything to say about it.
* * * *
“Sure your thick skull is capable of coming back to work?” Abel asked him when he clocked in a week later. He had enjoyed the time with Jessy, but he was ready to get back to work. Jessy had finally quit Kramer’s and started her online class full time. In no time she’d have her degree. He was so proud of her and told her often. She would blush and stammer and he knew she was not used to being complimented. Her parents had done her a great disservice. He had finally moved his things into her rental house until they found a house together. If only they could find Jagger and throw his ass in jail, life would be good.
“Yes.” Lincoln rubbed his forehead. “Not even a scar to prove my story.”
“Nice.” Abel looked him over. “Now we can get down to business. I want Jagger behind bars. He never showed up for his court date, and he is in the wind.”
Lincoln immediately became worried and serious. His pulse picked up speed. “You think he’s here?”
“No telling, but I am not taking any chances. I had Gage and Dave pass out his mugshot all over town. If he steps foot in this town he is done for.”
“I’m all for it,” Lincoln agreed, anxious to face Jagger and get him out of their lives once and for all. “Is Lily safe?”
“Yes, she is with the parents. They are spoiling the girls. You know that. Dad is patrolling the area and he has Gavin helping him.” Abel snorted with a shake of his head.
“Shit. Gavin is wild. I almost feel sorry if Jagger shows up there,” Lincoln added. Gavin was his dad’s best friend. He was a retired veteran and jogged every morning and practiced his shooting despite being in his late sixties. He had once been a sharp shooter for the government.
“Jessy is over there now,” Lincoln told his brother. “She took her laptop so she could study. I can’t wait for this to be over so we can concentrate on our lives. She hardly sleeps.”
“I know it’s tough, little brother. I’m happy you found the real deal. Jessy is great and she loves you. God knows why.”
Lincoln chuckled and puffed out his chest playfully. “Because I’m the handsome one, that’s why, and an all-around sweet man. Jessy tells me all the time.”
Lincoln gave his brother a serious glance. “You will find the right one, too, Abel. Not all women are Lydia.”
Abel’s eyes filled with sorrow for a second. “Nah, that fairytale shit is not for me, bro. This town and this job is all that I have time for. So let’s get busy and find this Jagger. His file is a mile thick and he needs to be behind bars as soon as possible.”
Lincoln agreed. He hoped they could get to Jagger soon. He was ready to settle into a normal life with Jessy without danger stalking them at every corner.
Chapter Sixteen
“Thank you for bringing me here tonight.” Jessy clung to Lincoln’s arm. The summer carnival was crowded and noisy but Jessy was loving it. The smells of the food, the lights, the sounds of laughing and screams from the rides. It was exciting. “Your brother told me you hated the crowds and the noise.”
“Abel has no idea what he is talking about. I love the carnival.” He snort
