Dark Passion (The Dark Brother Series Book One) (16 page)

She nods, biting her lip and Sarah enters the room.

“It’s time for some afternoon swimming,” she smiles.

I stand and shove the envelope into my bag before zipping it up. I hug my Mother briefly.

“I’ll talk with you soon.”

“Will you come visit more often?”

I look from her to Sarah and back again. “Of course, I’ll come back when I can.”

“Thank you Willow, I’ll walk you out.”

Just as we get to the door, my
Mother yells out my name. I turn and she whispers, “Be careful, Willow.”

I nod and leave, trying
to hold back my unexpected tears. When I sign out and wave goodbye to Sarah, I head out the front. Jagger is sitting on the chair, legs stretched out, talking on the phone. God, he’s so beautiful. I have that thought a lot, and each time it’s more intense. I walk over and give him a weak smile; he narrows his eyes but continues on with his conversation.

“Yep, good, call me as soon as you know Bull.”

He hangs up and stands, taking my face in his hands. “You ok?”

“I’m fine.”

“Is your Ma ok?”

“Sure.”

“You look like you’re about to burst into tears.”

My lip trembles and he sighs, pulling me to his chest. Hot tears stream down my face and he strokes my hair while I clin
g to him on the sidewalk.

“It’s goin’ to be fine, you’ll see.”

“Everything’s fucked up; it’s not meant to be like this. I didn’t do anything wrong…”

“I know you didn’t, this isn’t your fault.”

“Yet I’m right in the middle of it.”

“
Say, you want to go to lunch? Just me and you?”

I
smile; humbled by his kindness. “I’d love to.”

“Come on, I know just the place.”

We end up at a beautiful sea side restaurant, and I feel myself relaxing instantly. Jagger is the perfect gentleman, pulling out my chair and smiling at me each time our eyes meet. I love this side to Jagger; it’s this side that makes me realize why I chose to give him a go. After everything, he is continually proving that he isn’t all bad; at least, I hope he isn’t.

“What do you want to eat?” he asks, taking my hand.

“Um, I don’t know, what’s good?”

He chuckles. “I don’t own your taste buds, so I don’t know your tastes.”

I poke my tongue out at him. “Then just give me suggestions.”

“The open burger is good, or the BLT.”

“Hmmmm, Bacon, I’ll have that.”

He winks at me and orders two BLT’s and some cola. When our drinks arrive, I swallow the cool liquid with a groan.

“Hey, Bull is going to stay the night tonight as well. Is that ok?”

I frown, confused. “Why? We already have three in the house.”

“Just to be safe,”

“Jagger, is there a problem?”

He sighs. “Manchez is back in town, I just want to have extra protection that’s all.”

“Maybe we should send Jenny and Ava away.”

“No, that’s not going to help them in any way. They need to be around people who can protect them.”

“Jagger?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Go for it,” he says, sipping his cola.

“Is it always going to be like this?”

He narrows his eyes. “What?”

“Our life…our relationship…”

“Look, I know right now this isn’t the perfect life, but you knew that already. This is the worst case we’ve had and when it’s over, we don’t plan on getting involved with any other gangs or drug runs again. I don’t like to consider us a gang and this isn’t something we would choose to do all the time.”

“You always say you’re not a gang. What exactly do you consider yourself
?”

“We are a brotherhood. My life is with those men, it always will be but it doesn’t mean it will always be dangerous. We’re not
criminals; we don’t pride ourselves on breaking the law.”

“Then why do you?”

“We don’t Willow, we got involved with the drug case for personal reasons. We won’t be doing it again.”

“What could make anyone want to get involved in that?”

“Ace was in trouble.”

“How do you mean?”

“He got himself into some serious shit, he had no way out. We had to help him, or stand back and watch him get a bullet in the brain. That’s when our dealings with Manchez started.”

“Oh.”

“We created a brotherhood when we started helping Ace, we swore our loyalties to each other and we stuck together. The only reason we got so involved in the criminal side of things, was because of Ace. That’s not to say we wouldn’t do serious damage to anyone who messed with us, as you know, but it wasn’t our intention to become criminals.”

I nod. “I
think I get it. After Manchez, what will you do?”

“We will always be a group, and we will always have each other’s backs. We will never stop being what we are.”

“And the danger?”

“I will do everything I can do avoid ever being put in the situation I’m in now again, but I can’t promise my life won’t hold danger sometimes…”

“I understand.”

“Do you?” he whispers.

“Yes, I do.”

“Can you accept it?”

“I don’t know that yet Jagger, I truly don’t.”

He nods, and we’re both silent a moment.

“You know Willow, sometimes in life you just have to take risks. I don’t believe in happily ever after. No one ever just rides off on a white horse into the sunset and finds lifelong happiness. Even in the best relationships there are problems. No one is perfect; no one can ever create a perfect relationship. The best they can do is give it a damn good try, and I think sometimes that has to be enough. If you can’t accept what I am, nothing I do will change that. I’m not going to give you a white horse, nor am I going to take you into the sunset and promise that no bad things will ever happen to you or to us, because no one has the right to ever promise another person that. I can only promise you that I’ll give you every ounce of my heart and soul, and hope that it’s enough.”

I’m crying now; big, hot, heavy tears are sliding down my cheeks. His words hit me where they needed to, and I can’t find it in my heart to reject him. How can I? He might be dangerous, he might be hard and beautiful all at the same time but he’s mine and that alone is enough to make me hang on. I don’t know if the next month will hold agony, or if I’ll wake up one day and realize this was all fake but
I can sure as hell give it the best I have while it’s good. I take his hand and bring his fingertips to my lips. A beautiful smile breaks out on his face and I know he gets my message.

I want to try.

CHAPTER 15

“Dude, you’re cheating!” I cry and throw a piece of chocolate at Angel.

He snorts a laugh and wiggles his eyebrows, “Take it off Willow, rules are rules.”

We’re playing strip poker. Don’t even ask me how that started. Jagger and I came home in a fine mood, and started drinking. Then Angel and Ace joined in, and soon enough Jenny and Ava joined too. They couldn’t help themselves; even they know you have to make the best of a bad situation. So far, I’m down to my shirt and panties and Ava is down to her bra and undies. Jenny is fully clothed, sneaky devil.

Jagger is shirtless, and oh my
, what a sight. Angel is in his jocks and Ace is fully clothed also. We girls are really loosing this battle, well, Ava and I are anyway. Jenny is a sly dog, and her and Ace are going head to head to be the last to have to remove clothes. I stand up with a huff, and my head swims just a touch. Damn Jagger and his whiskey.

I wink at Angel, and give Jagger my best grin. Then I start wiggling my hips and removing my shirt, button by button, in slow motion. The men whistle and Jagger slaps my ass. I slowly remove the shirt from my body and toss it at Angel,
who whoops with pleasure. Jagger grips my hips and pulls me towards him, sliding his tongue around my belly button ring.

“If you get naked, and my boys get to see this beautiful body, I’ll be forced to take revenge…”

“Oh?” I grin, gripping his chin and leaning down to kiss him.

“Ugh you two
get a room!” Jenny yells, laughing.

“Not until you’re naked
Sister!”

She throws her head back and gives her best evil laugh. “Ace will be naked first.”

“Like fuck,” Ace laughs throwing down his cards. “Royal flush, get them off beautiful!”

Jenny groans and tosses her cards at him. He roars with laughter and I watch as my
Sister stands and removes her top, stopping Ace in his tracks. His eyes widen, and I think the situation sinks in. These men are sitting with three nearly naked women. I laugh and plonk down onto my seat, shooting another whiskey shot. That’s when everything changes.

It happens quickly, so quickly it takes me a long moment to realize something is wrong. I hear the sound of glass breaking,
and then I see Jagger leap to his feet and start yelling. I don’t click as to what he’s saying until he has me in his arms and his hand is planted firmly over my mouth. I struggle, unsure what is happening. I see Ace and Angel are covering Ava and Jenny’s mouths too.

Jagger drags me down the hall and into the bathroom, and the other men follow. They shove us in and let go of our
mouths. Jagger pulls all the towels from the racks and shoves them onto the floor, jamming the gap under the door. I gasp and grip the sink, steadying myself. “What’s happening?”

“Gas bomb, someone just threw one through the window. We gotta get out, now. If that gas
gets into your lungs, you’ll pass out.”

“What?” I cry, confused. “Who would do that?”

“Manchez – my guess is he’s trying to knock us out and get hold of you. If we had breathed in that gas, we’d all be on the floor and he would be able to come in and take you with ease.”

“Oh
God, I don’t feel so…” Jenny begins, then her eyes roll back and she passes out. Ace catches her in his arms.

“One down boss, what do we do?”

“They’ll be waiting. Angel, go and get our guns. Cover your mouth.”

Angel nods and puts a towel over his mouth, then rushes out. I turn to Jagger, who is now staring out the window.

“Where does this go, Willow?”

“Out back, there’s a gate that leads out onto the street.”

“We need to get you girls out. If that gas gets down here, we’re all gone.”

“But….”

“There’s no other choice.”

When Angel returns with the guns, Jagger pulls his into position and peers out the window.

“I think they’re around front, chances are in about ten minutes they’ll try to barge in.”

“Do we get them now boss?” Angel asks.

“No, it’s too risky. It’s a public street. We just need to get the girls out of here. Take them to a random hotel, pay with cash.”

Angel nods and pulls the window open, he gets out first and I wait anxiously to hear if gun shots while fire off. I’m so nervous I feel
sick; they could be waiting outside for us. I take Ava’s hand and squeeze, she’s white as a ghost. Ace picks up Jenny and climbs out next and then Ava follows. I look at Jagger and he gives me a nod.

“Are you coming?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Jagger, I need…my handbag.” I say quickly, suddenly remember
ing the information in there.

“What for?”

“It’s…serious information about my Mother. If they get hold of it…”

“Where is it?”

“On the kitchen bench,”

“Fine, I’ll get it. Just get outta here…”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be fine, go.”

He shoves me out the window before I can say another word. Angel grips me around the waist and pulls me quickly through the dark. My heart is racing and my mind keeps returning to Jagger. What if he doesn’t get out? What if they kill him?

“Angel, will he be ok?”

“He can handle himself. Don’t speak again Willow; it’s crucial we get out of here alive.”

I don’t say another word as Angel drags us behind some bushes and then peers out. He scans the streets around us, and his eyes fall on the car parked over the road from the apartment.

“They’re watching; we can’t get out this way. Are there any other exits?”

I nod and point to the other side of the yard when a small fence joins our place to the
neighbors. “If we climb into their yard, and over the other side there’s a big open field. We can get out that way.”

Angel nods and we begin walking that way. After a huge
struggle to get over the fence with a passed out Jenny, we finally manage to get into the field. We hurry across it until we find a taxi. When we get in, Angel watches behind us to make sure we aren’t being followed, then he texts Jagger which hotel he’s going to. It’s less risky than ringing him, incase someone’s tracking the phone calls.