Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

J agger

“What the fuck?” Hunter barked out for the fiftieth time.

I paced the floor, barely looking in his direction. The house I lived in didn’t seem large enough for the five of us and one special damn dog.

Bella remained curled up on the couch, Xena right beside her. She’d said absolutely nothing since we’d left the police station after the deputy had finally let me go. I’d been arrested for assaulting a police officer, but in my mind, not only would I do it again, I’d break his fucking neck.

Denise tried to hand me a glass of whiskey, but I refused to take it. Undaunted, she lifted my arm, forcing me to accept the gesture. “You need this and you need to calm down.”

“How the hell am I supposed to calm down when that bastard tried to destroy my life and Bella’s as well?”

“And you allowed that son of a bitch to get to you. What he did was as close to extortion as I’ve seen, but you assaulted him in front of a hundred witnesses. You could get jail time.” Shephard’s wise words went in one ear and out the other.

“So the fuck what?” I challenged.

“That bastard deserved what he got,” Hunter added. “I’m curious if there’s anything going on in Baltimore right now. Maybe we’re missing another motive.” He reached into the duffle he’d brought into the house, yanking out his iPad.

“What the hell difference can it make?” I bellowed at him. I knew he was only trying to help, but my mood was all about revenge.

“The three of you need to calm down. Hunter is right. The more information we have the better. You all know that. Joel is using what he can to try and keep his reputation alive. If there is any truth to some marriage arrangement, it could be tied to a big business deal including a criminal one.”

I nodded. “True.” I’d yet to mention my source and had no intention of it. In my mind, I couldn’t help but allow my instinct to take over. I had a distinct feeling whatever the man had done to destroy Joel and his family had already begun. That would be the reason for the release of the video. Why not ruin the happy couple?

“We need to think this through. How did the sheriff gain access to that video? Wasn’t it still a private matter with Bella and this Joel Brockford dude?”

“Yes, but the sheriff has been nosing around, threatening both of us,” I told them.

Shephard hissed. “And you didn’t fucking tell us? That’s police harassment. The judge won’t like that in the least.”

“You damn well know the judges in this area are partial to law enforcement.”

“Not always,” Denise piped in. “They’ve learned a few lessons. It’s who Sheriff Young knows in the rest of the state, including Richmond. Or beyond. Baltimore isn’t that far away. Didn’t you say the Brockfords have a long sordid history with various criminal activity?”

“Not proven, but yes.” I shifted my attention to Bella, my heart aching.

“Well, we can’t put anything past Joel at this point I guess.”

I’d been forced to relay the story. There’d been no other choice since it had been made public. Bella hadn’t objected, but she hadn’t said anything either. That’s why I was surprised when she rose from the couch, her arms folded as she headed in our direction. She was still in the same emerald green dress she’d purchased for the event, her long hair framing a haunted face yet her eyes remained bright.

At that moment, I thought she was the most beautiful woman alive, even in sadness.

“Joel sent me a text on the new burner phone seconds before the sheriff attempted to destroy us. I think with the sheriff obviously asking questions, trying to find out who I was so I could be used against Jagger, the two had a conversation, Joel releasing the video to him.”

“I think she’s onto something,” Hunter said as he moved closer. “Take a look at a piece on the front page of the largest newspaper in Baltimore.”

He handed me his iPad first. The headline said it all.

Is the Brockford Empire Funded by Criminal Activity?

I didn’t even need to read the article to know the truth had started coming light. Where my source would take it from there, I wasn’t certain. But we would find out soon enough.

Bella took a deep breath. “Who is Joel Brockford really?”

There were too many details about her life that she needed to fully comprehend, but I was hesitant to add to the night’s horrible experience. Just seeing the look on the locals’ faces had torn her apart.

I was angry with them too for not rallying around us.

People loved a loser more than they did a winner. I’d learned that the hard way.

“A very bad man with even worse intentions,” Denise answered for me. “With both your blessings, I’m going to do some investigation of my own. I have buddies that will provide me with every ugly scrap of information about suspicions involving that family. Maybe they’ve yet to be proven, but it’s obvious someone else is out to get them.”

I glanced at Bella and she nodded. “Fine. Go for it.” She’d never find out anything about my source or that I was behind the method of destruction. Not that I gave a damn right now.

Bella crowded closer, Xena suddenly realizing her new mommy dog wasn’t right by her side. As she rushed over to Bella, I could tell the woman I adored softened. Enough she leaned into me.

“Now, what about the goddamn elephant in the room, bro?” Shephard pushed. “Why the hell does Sheriff Young think you killed his daughter?”

“Because I did.” The words hung in the air and both brothers looked at each other.

“How? Line of duty?” Hunter asked. There was no animosity in his voice, only disbelief.

“She was captured off the base because of me,” I told them and it was difficult to change positions so I could look in Bella’s eyes. However, her breathing was no more labored than before.

“How is that your fault?” Hunter pressed.

“Because I went against orders. I knew the area surrounding us was considered dangerous, but we hadn’t seen any insurgents in almost a week. We’d just gotten engaged and I didn’t have a ring. I knew a guy in the small town near our camp I’d talked to dozens of times. He had a beautiful diamond that had been in his family for years. He was willing to sell it to me because the war had nearly destroyed every possession. I made a mistake. We were captured together. I had intel and the bastards wanted it.”

“And you couldn’t give it to them,” Shephard stated. It wasn’t a question. Both my brothers knew the score. We’d given our oath to the military.

“No. If I had, the entire operation that eventually led to their defeat would have led to the destruction of our base. I couldn’t allow that to happen. Sheila knew that. She was an army nurse and well aware of the danger.”

Bella placed her hand on my arm, squeezing in solidarity.

The sudden silence in the room brought yet another ache to my system.

“They tortured both of you and forced you to watch her die.” Hunter gave me a respectful nod.

I hung my head, struggling with the knowledge that her last dying breath had been when in my arms. “Yeah.”

“You’re not to blame,” Bella told me.

“Not the way I see it or her father.”

Shephard looked at me, shaking his head. “Did you know Sheriff Young was her dad?”

“Not before I moved here. But Pops told me as soon as I arrived. That’s why I almost left, but you can’t run from your past.”

“No, you can’t,” Hunter admitted. “All three of us have tried.”

This had occurred so many times when we’d been kids, we needed no words to provide understanding. Our lives had been shaped by countless decisions that hadn’t been our own. Were we to blame for any of them?

“No one will blame you for Sheila’s death other than her father. Losing someone is tough for anyone.” Denise offered a kind smile.

“Yeah, well, that doesn’t give him the right to do what he did,” Hunter snapped.

Shephard put his hand out. “We’re a family. We’ll work through this together.”

A family. I’d done my best over the years to try to forget everyone from my past, including Sheila. But it wasn’t about hating where I’d come from or disliking my heritage. I was proud to have been born into a family who respected honor and integrity.

Even if our father had crossed more than one morally gray line.

However, subjecting Bella and Cally to my mistakes was unforgiveable.

And always would be.

Maybe it really was best to let her go.

The buzz on my phone was the distraction I needed. I headed outside onto the front porch before answering.

“Silencer.”

“It’s done. Confirmation on the woman’s father.”

“His name?”

My source sighed. “That’s breaking protocol.”

“I don’t give a shit. This is important to me personally.”

“Michelangelo Ross. And Silencer? I hope she’s worth it.”

“Yeah, she is.”

I closed my eyes.

There was no mistaking the name or how powerful Mr. Ross had become. He was more influential and dangerous than any mafia organization or cartel. That’s because he was considered the head of a First Family, his ancestors arriving centuries before. Not only did his corporation own almost two dozen hospitals throughout the United States, they also owned dozens of other businesses, including pharmaceutical companies and laboratories. In other words, his family could control diseases as well as cures throughout the world if so inspired.

The Brockfords wanted a piece of the pie and would stop at nothing to get it.

Including Joel marrying Ross’ illegitimate daughter.

What if her father came looking for her? Maybe he hadn’t been alerted. It was likely he had no clue he had a daughter, which added to the sense of urgency. Maybe the man should be alerted. If what I suspected was correct, the Brockfords were planning on using the marriage to either get close to the man or challenge his power in their way.

After all, the Brockfords had a powerful group of backers as well.

An entirely different take on a business that could truly rule the world.

The connection was ended. My source had completed his end of the deal.

There would be no further conversations until or unless my services were needed. I breathed a sigh of relief, holding the phone to my head. Maybe the veil of secrecy and fear would be lifted. I took a deep breath before staring up at the sky. The stars were bright. If only I was the kind of man to wish upon one, but in my life, dreams and hopes had never come true.

“You suck at playing the hero.”

Her voice provided a much needed reason to feel grateful for at least a couple of minutes. “Oh, yeah? Well, you suck at playing the martyr.”

“How am I playing the martyr?”

“You sacrificed something terribly important to you. Your career.”

“But careers don’t make a life, Jagger. People do. They are the reason for true happiness. Yes, I loved what I did, but it’s nothing unless you can share it with someone. I was hoping I could do that with some rugged mountain man, but it still seems he’d prefer to keep his distance.”

She wrapped her arm around my waist, joining me next to the railing.

“You can get your life back now.”

The slight tilt of her head added to my continued angst. Without knowing exactly what my source had done, I wouldn’t know if any damage control was needed. But I would protect her with my life.

“I have a life, a new one and in case you haven’t figured it out over the last few days, I love it. I’m not certain if I’ll be welcome in Danger Falls any longer, but home is where the heart is. You’re my heart.”

Her words touched me more than I should let them. I pulled her close, pressing her face into my chest as I held the back of her head. “You’ll be surprised about the folks living in this town. They won’t let you down.”

I only prayed I was right.

She lifted her head, pursing her lips. “Did you know you have a know-it-all smugness about you?”

“So I’ve heard.”

“I find it desperately cute.”

I wasn’t certain why she’d chosen that moment to tell me, but I had a feeling she was doing what she could to drive away the ugly visions.

“You’re the one who’s desperately cute.”

She clung to me as we remained on the porch. “Joel isn’t going to stop. I contacted an attorney out of Roanoke. I don’t know if they’re a big enough firm, but they acted as if they can help me. I’m going to call them again on Monday and give them the go to ensure the divorce is final, the adoption papers ripped up, and my money returned. I might need to push off purchasing Doc Welby’s place for a little while. But that’s okay. Waiting tables is just fine for now.”

Waiting tables.

Not that the honest job was beneath her, but she’d shrivel up and die at some point without being allowed to do what she wanted.

“An attorney?”

“Yeah, Williams and Mullins. They have an office in Richmond too. I’m hopeful at least.”

“Maybe there’s another choice,” I told her. “Joel isn’t going to bother you.”

“You sound so convinced. Let him. I’ll fight him with everything I have. I’m stronger than I’ve led anyone to believe. I just got caught up in his lies and all the nasty things he said to me.”

“Understandable.”

“Not for a woman like me. I’m better than that.”

“Yeah,” I told her. “You are.”

She brushed her hand across her face and I noticed her entire body was still quivering. “Why did Joel wine and dine me so that I’d say yes to his marriage proposal?”

“I wish I could say because he cared about you.”

“You know why. Don’t you?”

“I don’t think you need to hear this right now.”

“Jagger. I’m tired of living a lie. Besides, you promised. That’s what I’ve been doing for years. I had to lie about being a foster kid because a lot of people still look down on it as if what happened was my fault. I thought I’d found a home after being offered a job during my internship by Joel’s father. He was in charge of the hospital at the time. Then I met Joel, and I truly believed I’d found my soulmate. Only I now know better. So please, don’t hide anything from me, especially about my life. I can take whatever it is. I no longer want to feel like one great big imposter.”

The feeling was one I knew too well. I took her hand, intertwining her fingers. “You were targeted because of who your father is.”

“No one has any clue who my father is. How in the world would they find out?”

“Just like you found your mother. A trail is always there and with enough time and money, information on anyone in the world can be found. Do you want to know who he is?”

She thought about my question and I saw all the new ones popping in her mind. Every concern, every new question forming was reflected in her eyes, even in the shadows. They were equally as painful. She was also searching my eyes for both answers and advice. I wasn’t certain I had any to give to her.

“Not yet. Maybe. But not until I embrace who I am. I just need a little space, Jagger, and I hope you can understand.”

I nodded and pulled her close for a second time, pressing a kiss on the top of her head. There was too much to be done so she’d be allowed to enjoy her new life. But not tonight.

Tonight was for forgiveness.

Not of each other, but of our own personal sins.