Chapter 29

CHAPTER 29

B ella

Exhaustion and joy.

Was it possible to experience both at one time?

That was exactly the way I felt on this beautiful morning. Being tired was worth it. I felt like Jagger and I had gotten closer.

Nightmares.

Jagger had experienced another one and his ranting had awakened me. For all his worry that he’d display violence, the most I’d seen was tossing the books out of frustration.

He’d allowed me to talk to him and to listen. He’d mentioned his captivity and the months he’d endured, including over the Christmas holiday. He’d also told me the only soul he’d told had been his dad. It would seem his father had also been taken a prisoner of war, although for a much shorter timeframe.

What he hadn’t mentioned was anything regarding what Poppy had told me and I’d decided not to ask. Not only would it break the building trust between us, but I had a feeling doing so would push him back into a deeper level of darkness and I wouldn’t be able to drag him back into the light.

The secret was churning in my stomach, but I was determined to let him tell me when he was ready.

At least another two glorious days had passed without any additional difficulties. Almost as if things were getting back to normal.

The black cloud was still there, but I was better able to deal with my fears.

I’d enjoyed spending time at the house and had even taken the opportunity to forward my mail to Jagger’s address. It was risky, although Joel shouldn’t be able to find anything out about the post office box I’d rented in Baltimore. Although I wouldn’t put anything past him, fighting the post office regulations shouldn’t be in his purview.

I could at least admit I’d enjoyed almost every minute of my time spent in Danger Falls. It almost felt like home. Between spending time at the clinic, still helping Hunter at the resort and fabulous nights with Jagger, the anxiety was starting to drop off.

With a new burner phone, I’d had zero threats. Now, besides Jagger and Hunter, the only other person I’d given the number to had been Esme.

And the wench hadn’t called me back. It wasn’t like her not to return my call. That was the only thing on my mind as I jumped into my SUV after dropping Cally off at daycare. As soon as I had my seatbelt on and the gear in drive, I dialed her number, the Bluetooth hands-free kicking in immediately.

“Hello?”

Esme’s voice sounded like her phone had been dropped in the middle of a trashcan full of water, but I knew her sexy tone when she was exhausted. “How many hours did your asshole of a boss make you work?”

“Don’t ask,” Esme said, her yawn loud. “Why are you calling me so early? What time is it?”

“Almost ten and that’s not early. Time to rise and shine, little spitfire.”

“Well, since I didn’t get into bed until six in the morning, not too bad.”

“The last time we talked about your fabulous job, you weren’t open for breakfast.”

“We still aren’t. That doesn’t mean Jeff wasn’t in the mood to berate the entire staff after an almost botched dinner with a bigwig. The bossy mysterious jerk stayed until almost three in the morning. He and buddies were drinking up a storm and the kitchen staff couldn’t leave since he kept ordering food.”

“Let me guess,” I told her as I glanced into the rearview mirror. My old habits of feeling like I was being followed and watched would be tough to break. “You almost poured a bucket of water on him.”

“I came close but settled for a shot of expresso. He was none too happy since my aim at his crotch was a direct hit.”

“Ouch! I’m surprised you have a job.”

“Oh, I’m sure the lectures will continue, especially since the Middle Eastern jerk and his entourage spent almost sixty thousand dollars.”

“What? Is that even possible?”

Esme chuckled. “Darling, I do create the finest food on the East Coast. Expensive too. But you gotta pay to play.”

It was so good to talk to her. “How about taking a few days off and coming to visit?”

“You know I’d love to, but Jeff would kill me.”

“Aren’t you due some vacation time?”

“I’ve been working here four months. I doubt it. Why? I can tell you have something up your sleeve.”

The girl knew me too well. “It’s just the resort needs a chef and I thought of you.”

“And live in a place called Danger Falls? I don’t know if the town could survive if I took the job.”

“I’m here, remember. They’re surviving me.” I headed to Poppy’s Diner to pick up a few muffins for the doctor, his one nurse, and sweet receptionist. It was the least I could do for the time Doc Welby had taken with me while still performing his duties.

“Oh, good point. Hey, if the job’s online I’ll take a look at it, but I love it here, even if I have plans on castrating Jeff at some point. I wonder if human testicles would be considered a delicacy?”

“You are cold and cruel, which is why I love you. Think about trying to get away for a weekend. The drive is really beautiful. Plus, you’ll have a fabulous place to stay in.”

“Would I get to meet your hot roommate?”

“You would.”

“I’m as good as there. I’ll see what I can do. But I can’t promise anything at this point.”

“And you call me a party pooper.”

“You are, but I hear happiness in your voice,” Esme told me.

I made a turn into town, enjoying the view more than I had before. Bright sun. Not a cloud in the sky. It was all just about perfect.

Even if I did feel like a black wave was threatening to drag me straight into hell. “I am.”

“I’m so glad.”

Her tone was entirely different. I heard noise and if I knew her, she was trying to create an IV coffee drip. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong.”

“I don’t believe you. Did Joel do something?”

She sighed and it was her dramatic sigh, the one I learned the first week I’d met her that I needed to be concerned about.

“Joel came in for a drink last night.”

“Oh, he did, did he? Let me guess. He was intimidating as hell to you, his second method of trying to get his way.”

Esme snorted. “He tried but he failed. But he did say something weird. He told me to tell you to watch the news in the next few days. He wouldn’t provide a date or tell me anything about what he’s talking about. Do you have any clue?”

Shit.

“I’m not certain.” It was time to hire an attorney, although at this point, I wasn’t certain what one could do unless he or she was a shark. And law enforcement wouldn’t help since he hadn’t openly threatened her. I didn’t want to alarm her any further.

“Well, I’ll keep my ear to the ground. I gave him a piece of my mind, but he is just a smug asshole.”

“Yes, he is. Just stay away from him.”

“I don’t plan on seeking him out, girl. But be careful. He was just… Different. Strained. I don’t know. It was like something happened. Did you hire an attorney or something?”

“Not yet, but I plan on doing that in the next week or so.” I’d also spent time searching for one in Danger Falls only to realize I’d need at least a law firm out of Roanoke at this point. The initial phone call had allowed me to know I was in for the long haul with Joel’s attempt to push forward the adoption, but I had a few elements on my side.

Maybe, somehow, he’d gotten wind of any inquiries they made.

“Good. I’m glad to hear that. Let’s talk in the next couple of days.”

“I’d like that. Remember. Don’t give this phone number out to anyone.”

Esme laughed. “Not a chance. Wild horses couldn’t drag it out of me.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” I pulled into the community parking lot just a block away from Poppy’s, already taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. “Think about coming out.”

“I definitely will. Just take care of yourself and that sweet girl of yours.”

As I ended the call, a slight sadness washed over me. I missed our fun times together. It was so good to feel a connection to my past.

Grabbing my purse, I headed into the diner, thrilled that a couple of people passing by knew my name. How silly it was to feel happy that I was being recognized. That didn’t happen in Baltimore even in tight social circles. Not that I’d ever considered any of Joel’s friends anyone I could trust.

In this tiny town, everything was different.

Poppy waved as soon as she saw me. I headed for the small but luxuriously packed bakery case, breathing in the delicious aromas of freshly baked goods.

“You’re exactly the person I wanted to see,” Poppy said as she approached.

“Uh-oh. What did I do?”

She laughed. “Not a thing, darlin’. I wanted to talk to you about the engagement party I’m organizing for Shephard and Denise. They haven’t had the time with their work schedules and I thought it would be a nice touch since they’ve both done so much for the community.”

“That’s a great idea. Now, if I can only convince Jagger to be Shephard’s best man.”

“I have a feeling you’re the only person he listens to.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know about that. How can I help?”

“All you need to do is get them to the restaurant. That’s it. You can tie Jagger on the hood if he argues with you.”

She could have me laughing for hours. “I just might need to do that. When is the party?”

“Saturday night. Eight sharp. I got my ladies making sure everything is decorated and we have a few surprises in store for them.”

“Be careful. Shephard is still a bear according to you.”

“I can handle Shephard Fox. I handled his dad just fine. Maybe I’m an old lady, but I still know a thing or two about men.”

“I know you do, Poppy, and you’re not old. Happy to help. Now, you can do me a favor. Where’s the best place to purchase a sexy dress in town?”

She leaned over the bakery counter, giving me the kind of look that said she had an entirely different wardrobe away from the diner.

I wasn’t going to ask.

Jagger

“You were right,” Hunter said as he walked into my office. Shephard was close behind, closing the door after him.

“What was I so right about?” I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms behind my head.

“Remember I mentioned I’d heard the Brockford name before?” Hunter asked as he moved to one of two chairs in front of my desk, plopping down. He had his usual grin on his face as well.

“Yeah. You found something out.”

“I found out how connected Joel’s father is. He’s funded several major projects in Baltimore, provided campaign donations to the tune of millions, and even helped design the new children’s wing at the hospital where his son works. He’s all over the social pages as the do-gooder. However, you are correct in that he is tied to some pretty bad people.”

“How bad?” I asked, although I could guess the answer.

“Let’s just say I wouldn’t cross them if I were you. No one dares try. If they do, they tend to find themselves in various vats of hot water or worse. I’ve seen it myself.”

I glanced at Hunter. He wasn’t joking.

“And what does Joel provide for them?”

“Didn’t you know? He ventured into several other interests with regards to surgery.” Hunter gave me an odd look.

A light turned on over my head. “He’s a goddamn plastic surgeon for the right money.”

“Bingo.”

“Well, shit,” Shephard said. “He’s changing identities of those very bad people when the pressure is on.”

Hunter nodded in his direction. “Yep, and since he never actually went to medical school for that particular skill, it’s kept a great big secret.”

“I’m curious, brother. How do you know?” I asked.

He didn’t appear eager to be forthcoming, so when he sat forward in his chair, I was eager to hear what he had to say. “The people I worked for after I did my stint in the military were little more than criminals themselves. I’m not going to share with you any names, but my targets were also some unsavory people considered their enemies. I had an up close and personal run-in with my target. He wasn’t too happy to see me. But in the end, I completed my mission.”

Hunter was grinning, the memory obviously a fond one.

“Even my handler wasn’t interested in going up against the Brockford family.”

I glanced at Shephard. I had a feeling he was the single brother who’d remained loyal to a mission that had started the moment he’d entered bootcamp. Until now, I’d had no idea Hunter had fallen into the same darkness I had. The two of us would never be considered saints.

Even more reason we didn’t usually share stories amongst the three of us. “With that kind of muscle, Joel is going to track her down. I still can’t figure out why he gives a shit. A foster kid with a child spawned by someone else.”

Shephard and Hunter looked at each other.

Tension swept into my system. “What is it? Talk. One or both of you.”

“You’re not going to like it,” Hunter said and shook his head to reiterate what he was saying.

I pounded my fist on the desk. “Tell me. Secrets will destroy her.”

“Because she’s more important to Joel than you think. With her on his arm, his power will ultimately increase.”

Hunter relayed the information as if reading off a dossier given to him regarding his target. Much like I’d been given. It would seem there truly was very little difference in those hoping to tread the gray line and those preferring the evil endeavors done by monsters.

I wasn’t certain where I fit in.

But with another secret revealed, another reason Joel would stop at nothing to get Bella back, I knew what had to be done.

Maybe karma was on my side, but if I had to sell my soul to the devil again, I was finally doing it for a good reason.

“What are you going to do, brother?” Shephard asked. “I’ll help you any way I can.”

“I’m going to do what’s required to keep her safe.”

“Don’t do anything stupid,” Hunter suggested.

I laughed. “My entire life has been a lie. I thought I was doing the right thing. But in the end, I was a fool, wasting years that I can’t get back. I found the one thing that makes me happy and no one is going to take her from me. No one.” I gave them both a hard look.

Shephard nodded. “I understand. Know we’ll have your back.”

Where I was going, they couldn’t help. Maybe it was for the best.

They left my office and I closed my eyes, rubbing my temple. A headache was forming and it had Joel’s name all over it. I took my phone and dialed the number.

“Silencer.” It was the name given to me more in jest than anything, my use of a silencer the only thing ever noted by police or other law enforcement agencies throughout the world. I’d been forced to use that method since so many of my targets remained in high profile areas. Creating a stampede could have possibly kept me from exiting the location safely.

“I have considered your request,” he told me.

“And?”

“I will handle the operation, but you will owe me. You do understand that, do you not?” His English was fluent although it had been a long time since he’d set foot in the United States. I’d never met the man, few people had, but he was considered one of the most lethal men in the world.

He’d also been my mentor.

“I understand.”

“What level do you prefer?”

We’d used codenames for everything including missions. At this moment, I wanted to put a bullet in Joel’s brain myself, but that meant choosing today to return to my old life or staying in my new one.

I chose what was most important to me.

Bella.

“Level two.”

“You’re certain.”

Joel would be destroyed, giving a clear warning, but would be allowed to live. I’d prefer he wallow in sanctimonious bullshit and the loss of his reputation and maybe his career. Prison wouldn’t be bad. “Yes.”

“Then so be it. Just remember the deal you made.”

“Yes, I will.”

The veil of secrecy was required to be kept. It was written in blood by those who’d joined the organization. That same blood would be spilled if any treachery occurred. It was my cross to bear, but right now, one I would do so without issue.

Salvation wasn’t in my vocabulary.

The call ended and there would be no further discussion until the deed was done. What I’d done would come back to haunt me in weeks, months, or even years.

One day I’d be dragged into the past.

If only for a little while.

I only hoped it would be something Bella could forgive.