13

Jager

I pressed my thumb to the blue-light scanner beside my apartment door. A red laser beeped across my hand and the door unlocked.

I installed the scanners years ago for me and my brothers when we all moved into the penthouse floor of our Park Avenue apartment building. Since the building had enough safety measures in place, they weren’t necessary, but I found them easier than carrying keys.

The heavy door clicked behind me, and I dropped my coat on the couch. Despite the sun shining through the south-facing windows, I shivered. It felt cold inside. Most likely, that had nothing to do with the temperature as much as theambiance. I had never bothered to buy a carpet, hang any paintings, or decorate in a way that would make the place feel like a home. Perhaps I’d always thought I’d move one day or maybe since I hadn’t had a real home my whole life, making this apartment feel like one wasn’t something that came easily to me.

My parents worked a lot. It wasn’t for any lack of money. As far as I knew, we were fine financially. I think my mother worked overtime because she didn’t like my father and he worked late, because, well, he liked his coworkers better. Especially his secretary. They weren’t horrible parents. They never yelled or told me I couldn’t do something. They just weren’t around much. Ever. I couldn’t recall one memory of the three of us sharing a meal or a holiday. I couldn’t even find a family photo of us. I didn’t think it wasabnormal until I visited other people’s homes and realized there was something seriously missing in my childhood.

I still spoke to my parents. I sent them cards for their birthdays and called every few months to check-in. My dad usually told me about some new car he was fixing while my mom would share the details of her upcoming vacation. She traveled alone. She called them her health retreats, and she seemed happier anticipating them, but miserable when she returned home.

Walking over to the dining room table, I turned on my desktop.

My wallpaper made me smile as it was a photo of me and the boys after we returned to the U.S. after nearly eight years abroad. No one’s smile was wider than Jake’s. He had a sister and parents who met him at the airport. The rest of us were just happy to be back home.

Happy to not have to worry what the next day’s assignment would be—or who we would encounter.

Shaking my head, I dispersed the memories rising to the surface of my consciousness. It was easy to do so while I was awake. Not so easy while I slept. Which was probably why I rarely did.

I typed the name of the coffeehouse that Tagert frequented each morning. I found its address and website. That was usually all I needed to get started.

I dug deeper into the company until I had enough information to break into their system. No two companies were alike. It wasn’t like I had a system for hacking. It was sort of like an art form, I guess. I moved to wherever the trail led me.

Using some military programs I’d picked up while in special operations, I infiltrated the company’s database and about an hour later, I could see every order that was placed in the last year.

I typed in the date of the delivery. Order after order popped up on the screen. I scrolled until I found the one I was looking for, a double espresso macchiato. There was one registered at 8:40 a.m. and another at 9:20 a.m. Jeremy said he went to the coffee shop at 8:30 a.m. so the first one checked out.

However, without any video, I couldn’t be certain. Khan had texted me that the surveillance cameras were fake and that there wasn’t any footage to look at. Most people used gift cards, credit cards, or small change, so a camera seemed unnecessary.

While my search corroborated Tagert’s alibi, it wasn’t definitive.

Next, I opened a window for the Bank of Washington, where Tagert’s paycheck was deposited every two weeks. I keyed in some passwords, and I was inside the bank’s personal accounts in less than twenty minutes.

I scrolled through his transactions over the past two months, but there were no large withdrawals.

Damnit.

Wanting to be thorough, I checked three other major banks to see if Tagert had accounts in those institutions, but he didn’t.

Fuck.

I called Khan.

“Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Find anything?”

“No. There’s nothing here that I can trace back to him and the delivery. I even found his coffee order on the company’s computer.”

“How?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Fine. I shouldn’t know, anyway.”

“Did Chaudhary have any luck with the farm?”

“I can’t discuss private police—”

“Fuck that, Khan. Don’t you get all secretive on me now. We’re on the same side.”

Khan sighed. “All right. He spoke with employees at his brother’s farm. When we showed his picture around, one woman remembers seeing him there a couple of times that week.”

“That’s something. But it doesn’t prove he did it.”

“No. But she did say something interesting, though.”

“What’s that?”

“When Chaudhary asked her if anything unusual happened that day, she told him that two pigs had died that morning. They were healthy the day prior, but then dead by morning.”

“Could it have been due to natural causes?”

“Maybe. But that would be quite convenient to have two dead pigs available.”

“Right. But that is circumstantial at best.”

“I know. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you.”

I scoffed. “That isn’t the reason.”

I rubbed my mouth as an idea formed in my mind. “I don’t know much about farms, but don’t they tag their animals in case they get loose or lost?”

“Huh. I’m not sure.”

“Check the delivery. See if there’s a tag somewhere on that pig’s ear.”

Khan was quiet.

“Khan, are you still there?”

“Yeah. I’m just texting Chaudhary now. He’s at the station.”

“Good. Let me know as soon as you hear.”

“Will do.”

“And Khan?”

“Yeah?”

“That’s why you keep me in the loop.”

“Damn you, Jager,” he exhaled. “You cocky bastard.”

I smiled and hung up the phone.

With my business taken care of for the day, I left my apartment, impatient to see Bianca again.

We’d spent our first night together, and I wanted to show her how much that meant to me. Pulling into the jewelry store, I had every intention of buying my woman a diamond necklace. Fuck, I was ready to buy her the Hope Diamond if the store had it.

But when the saleswoman asked who the gift was for, I hesitated. Bianca wasn’t my wife, or even my girlfriend, yet. We hadn’t talked about it. While the necklace wouldn’t be a big deal for me financially, would it scare her off?

“It’s for a special woman in my life,” I said.

“Oh. I see.” She pulled out a tray of pendants. “Let’s choose something you like, and then we can pick a chain to go with it.”

Scanning the rows of glittering gems, my eyes landed on a ruby. I knew immediately that she had to have it. “That one.”

The woman removed the pendant from the case and nodded. “We just got this one in. It’s stunning. Now, for the chain. Are you looking for something ornate or simple?”

“Simple.”

“All right. Let me show you what I think would work well with this piece.”

She pulled another tray from the drawer and set it on the glass. “The ones on the left are 10k gold, moving onto 14k and 18k furthest right.”

I chose a chain from the rightthat looked like a rope rather than traditional links. I thought it would look elegant with the ruby.

“That’s a great choice.” She pulled the chain from the white cushion and needled it through the pendant. Then she held up the necklace. It shone under the fluorescent lights.

I nodded in satisfaction. “That’s it.”

“Wonderful. Shall I wrap it for you, sir?”

“Please.”

As the lady prepared Bianca’s gift, my stomach felt strange. I discovered something recently that I had to share with her, but I didn’t know how she would take the news. However, I didn’t want to have that conversation in a hotel room.

I just wasn’t sure where we should go. The hotel wasn’t too far from my apartment. Or we could go for a walk in Central Park. I’d let her decide.

Taking the elevator to the top floor, the butterflies intensified. I couldn’t remember the last time I was nervous about having a conversation. But I knew depending on how she took the news, this could be the last conversation we had outside of work.

I inhaled a deep breath and knocked on the hotel room door. After a few minutes, she opened the door.

She wore the red dress, but her hair was pulled up into a top knot with the ends still wet. “Shit. I didn’t realize you had nothing to wear.”

She shrugged. “It’s all right. I can change at home.”

“I don’t want to take you home yet. I’ve got another idea.”

She raised her eyebrows.

“Do you trust me?” I asked.

“I don’t trust anyone who asks that question.”

I chuckled. “Good point. How about, do you want to come shopping with me?”

She smiled. “Now that I can agree to.”

Her eyes crinkled, and I couldn’t help myself.

Leaning towards her, I pressed my mouth to her temple. She closed her eyes, and I took that as aninvitation to move my lips to hers. I sipped at her mouth, sucking on her bottom lip until she groaned.

“We better go before I take you back inside and rip that dress off of you, and then you’ll definitely have nothing to wear.”

“I could always wear the hotel bathrobe.”

I closed my eyes. “Damn, woman. You definitely know what to say to me. But I’m not going to make you do that, no matter how much my body wants it.”

“Too bad.”

“Oh, don’t worry. That’s not a ‘no’, but a ‘later’.”

“That’s better.”

Before I changed my mind, I asked. “Do you have everything?”

She nodded, and we left the hotel.

I knew taking her shopping was only delaying our talk, but I couldn’t let her wear last night’s clothing for much longer. It seemed disrespectful somehow. And taking her shopping, pleasing her, sounded so much better.

The talk would just have to wait.

“So, where are we going?” she asked shortly after leaving the hotel.

“There are some shops on Fifth Avenue.”

She snorted. “Yes, but none that I shop at.”

“Who knows, maybe you’ll like something today.”

She rolled her eyes. “Jager, I said that not because I don’t like the stores on Fifth, but because I know I can’t afford them.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s on me today.”

She shook her head, but didn’t argue any further. I was glad.

Fifth Avenue was only about three miles from the hotel we were at, but it took us nearly forty minutes to get there.

“God, I hate New York traffic,” she said, crossing her arms. The movement pushed her breasts together and for a moment, I was distracted.

“Jager, watch out!”

“Shit.” I hit the brakes as some asshole pulled out from a parking spot onto traffic. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, fine. At least now we got a parking spot.”

I shook my head, incredulous at how she hadn’t freaked out. Most people would have torn me a new one for taking my eyes off the road.

“I’m sorry about that,” I said after parallel parking into the spot.

“Don’t be. I ride with River, and I swear to God that man should have his license revoked.”

Despite her smile, I wondered if I should have a talk with River about putting his life and his sister’s life at risk.

After opening Bianca’s door, we walked a few doors down until I reached a store I thought had potential.

“Oh no,” she said when she read the store name on the door. “I’m not going in there.”

“Why not?”

“Because this is a designer store and I don’t own anything designer, Jager.”

“Well, that’s about to change. Come on.”

I interlaced our hands and practically dragged her inside the store. After a few moments of her just standing there staring at the piles of clothes rather than rummaging through them, I called an associate over.

The woman wore black-rimmed glasses and held her hands clasped in front of her. “Can I help you?”

“Yes,” I said, while Bianca replied, “No, thanks.”

I frowned at her, but then turned to the sales associate. “Can you show us some pants and tops that would suit this beautiful yet stubborn woman beside me?”

Bianca cast me with a side-eyed look and possibly growled at me.

“Of course. Are there any colors or shades you prefer, ma’am?”

“Yes,” Bianca smiled sweetly. “The ones on sale.”

“Oh,” the associate looked genuinely shocked by her response. “We don’t have sales here, ma’am. We only stock the most current items from Ms. Delaney’s couture lines.”

Bianca kept her smile. “Of course you do.”

I nearly blurted out a laugh, but I bit my tongue. “Show us whatever you think would look best.”

“We should leave,” Bianca said once the associate turned around.

“Why? Do you not like the clothes in here?”

“Of course, I do. She’s the hottest designer right now, and she dresses one of my favorite actresses.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Her eyes bugged out like I was the one who sounded crazy right now. I crossed my arms. “Look, I know we haven’t seen each other in a while, but a lot has changed since high school.”

She matched my stance and crossed her arms as well. “Apparently.”

“So, don’t look at the price tags, just try on the clothes and if you genuinely don’t like them, we’ll leave. But at least give it a try.”

“Fine.”

She looked around while the associate fluttered from one side of the store to the other. Bianca’s eyes landed on a purse. She stepped closer, but when I followed, she immediately spun around.

“Here we are,” said the associate, nearly out of breath. “Please follow me to the change room in the back.”

I followed, but noticed that Bianca hadn’t. Turning around, I grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Come on,” I said, nodding to the back. “Maybe you’ll hate them.”

She groaned. “I don’t think I will.”

I laughed again. Even in a bad mood, Bianca made me happy.

The change rooms in the back were more like small living rooms with a large beige carpet, couch, table and an artificial plant. And that was just outside. I could imagine how luxurious the inside of the change room must look, but I sat down on the couch instead and waited for Bianca to come out.

I’d never come into this store before, buying all my clothing from a tailor that Will knows. I’d also never bought any of the women I dated in the past, clothing. This was definitely a first on both accounts. It felt strangely erotic knowing that I shopped and paid for something that my woman would wear on her body, and I would have the privilege of taking off.

I had nearly undressed Bianca in my mind when she walked out fully clothed. My heart stopped, nonetheless.

She wore tan pants that fit her body perfectly, and the white top looked as though it was tailored to her breasts. Bianca turned toward the mirror and stared at herself. Her mouth opened slightly, and she bit her lip. “Do you like it?” I asked.

She nodded and smoothed out the fabric, touching her waist, hips, and thighs.

“It really suits you,” I said. Then, to the associate, I asked. “Do you have more outfits like this one?”

“Yes, sir. At least three more for the lady to choose from.”

I nodded. “They’re perfect. We’ll get all three.”

“What?!” Bianca whipped around to face me. “Jager, no. I don’t think you realize how—”

“I do. And I want you to have them.”

The associate raised her eyebrow and nudged Bianca. “Honey, if he insists, I wouldn’t argue.”

She hid a smile but shook her head. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Don’t you have a couple of dresses to try on?”

“Three outfits are more than I had originally agreed to,” she said. “Now, I’ll go change.”

“Ah, ma’am. Don’t you think you’ll be more comfortable in those slacks rather than that red dress you came in with?”

She pursed her lips. “You’re probably right,” she said nonchalantly. “I’ll just carry the dress out.”

“Of course,” the woman said and gathered the items from the change room and brought them to the counter.

I walked up to her and whispered, “Include both of those dresses in the purchase, just in case she changes her mind.”

The woman licked her lips and casually looked down at my left hand. Then, in a lower voice, she added, “Certainly. Is there anything else I could do for you?”

“No. That’ll be all. Thank you.”

The associate left with a bit more sway to her walk than I recalled earlier.

“Why was that woman eye-fucking you?”

I coughed, having choked on some saliva, when I heard Bianca’s words. “What?”

“You heard me. What did you say to her?”

“I don’t think she was eye-fucking me.”

“Oh, she definitely was.”

I put my hands on her hips and I loved the way the soft fabric hugged her body. “Well, how about you claim me later when we get back to my place?”

“I thought you were taking me home now. I’m starting to think your intentions are to kidnap me?”

“I’m thinking about it. The idea is quite appealing.”

She pressed her lips to mine, and my body stirred. “I’d love to go back to your place.”

My body stiffened at her words, and I nipped her bottom lip with my teeth.

A cough reminded me we weren’t alone.

The sales associate stood waiting with two large bags in her hands. “Here you are.” Then, turning to Bianca, with a little less enthusiasm, “Enjoy.”

Bianca and I laughed all the way back to the car. Her face was still beaming by the time I started the engine. She rubbed her hands together and blew into them. I immediately turned up the heat. The weather was changing so rapidly thatI figured it would probably snow soon.

“I’m just going to text my brother and Lizzie where I am. I told them I would be home soon, but it looks like it might be later than I thought.”

“Much later,” I added, and she smiled at that.

After putting her phone down, she picked it up again. “I should text one more person before we go to your place. One minute.”

“No problem. Take your time.”

Bianca typed quickly, then put her phone down on her lap.

But at that moment, a message popped up on my car’s media screen.

A message from Bianca.

To Ruby.

Ah, fuck .

My heart raced like a freight train while Bianca blinked rapidly, staring at the screen, then at me. “What the hell, Jager?”