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Sadness ghosted over Jag’s face. “Because she wanted to get to me.”
That wasn’t the answer I’d expected. Frowning, I said, “I don’t understand.”
“I just learned that Crimson’s boss is named Psycho.”
I gave a little shrug. “And? We all have a boss.”
Jagger blew out a breath and briefly looked away. “You’ll just have to hate me, Ari. I can’t tell you, or it will put you in danger.”
My anger deflated, and my shoulders slumped. “If you hate me, why are you still protecting me?” Every cell in my body wanted to reach out and touch him.
“I never said I hated you.”
I rolled my eyes, irritation replacing the fleeting moment of compassion I felt for my stepbrother. “You have ten seconds to start talking, or I’m on my way out of here to find Anderson. I bet he’s a better fuck than you are.” Acid laced my words, and I hoped they cut deep. Jagger was being an asshole, and I wouldn’t let him get away with treating me like I was insignificant.
A scream escaped me as Jagger easily rolled us over and pinned me beneath him. “Scream all you want. These rooms are soundproof and no one can hear you.”
I glared at Jagger, willing him to disappear into a puff of smoke—no such luck.
“Ten, nine, eight—”
“If you want another dead body on your conscious, go ahead and date Anderson.”
I sucked in a breath, not wanting to believe he would hurt someone he cared about.
“He’s your friend and teammate. You won’t do anything to him.”
Jagger’s dark chuckle filled the room. “Oh, I will. Make no mistake about it.”
I groaned and shoved his shoulders. The sound of our breathing reached my ears, and I settled into the feeling of him on top of me. Even though he was driving me crazy, he meant more to me than my life. I reached up and brushed his bangs from his forehead like I used to when we were teenagers. His eyes darkened, and I felt his dick harden through his pants. Then, a thought occurred to me.
“If I can’t be with anyone else then you can’t either.” My heart beat frantically behind my rib cage. I was taking a huge risk but had to see if it worked.
“I never seriously dated or loved anyone after you, Jagger.” I licked my lips and hoped what I was about to say would penetrate his thick skull. “I’ve always loved you. I never stopped. No one has ever come close to what we had. What we might have again.”
Slowly, Jagger’s expression morphed from agony to relief to terror.
I wrapped my fingers around his bulging bicep. “Tell me you love me and I won’t walk away. I won’t date anyone else, and I’ll save myself for you at the society too. Honestly, I’ll do anything to keep from losing you again.” Admitting that nearly gutted me, but I had to take a chance that I could break through the walls Jagger had so carefully built around himself.
Jag’s head hung down, his hair brushing my forehead. His gaze finally met mine, and moisture welled in his eyes. “I’m terrified I’ll lose you again, Ari. If we’re together, you’ll get hurt.”
My forehead creased. “That won’t happen. We’re older, stronger.” Even as the words left my mouth, Peter’s abuse clouded my mind. “We’re stronger together. Please don’t let people keep us apart any longer.” I reached for the tear that traveled down Jag’s cheek. “I would give anything to kiss away your pain.”
Jagger dipped his head and brushed his lips across mine in a gentle kiss. He brought his mouth to my ear. “I’m not strong enough, Ari. I’ve loved you since I was a kid. I understood we had to keep us a secret when we were younger, but they knew. Mom and Theo knew we were together. I think they were behind separating us.”
I gasped. The thought hadn’t occurred to me. Yes, they lied to us, but orchestrating the fire and separating us were entirely different scenarios. One that I wasn’t sure I could digest.
“Are you sure?” I held my breath, waiting to see if he was guessing or if he had proof of their betrayal.
“No, but something’s off. I couldn’t protect you last time, but I’ll be goddamned if you get hurt again.”
“Then say it. Keep me safe by your side. Tell me that you still love and want me.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Jagger
It was wrong. I couldn’t keep her tucked away at the society then insist she couldn’t have a life outside of mine. Worse, I loved her with every fiber of my being. Once I realized we’d both been lied to, Ari started working her way back into my heart and fast. I wasn’t kidding when I said she was mine, but I had to let her go or admit that there was no life without her. Not even football meant as much without Ari next to me. I wasn’t sure how to protect her since we weren’t together twenty-four seven. Telling Ari that I loved her might be a death sentence.
