Page 138 of Affair

Maura was honest.

“BlackStoneis going to get bitchy,” she said. “That’s why we have to do this like a Marine operation. Until we figure out what all of this is about, and confirm it’s about the fifty million dollars in cryptocurrency, Von Donore is at the top of our list. We’ll find out who killed the Marines here in NOLA, and we’ll find the money, but the most important part is to take the head off of the monster running that organization. They are deemed terrorists by the president of the United States—off the official record.”

Jagger stared at her.

“Getting close to him isn’t going to be easy,” Jagger admitted. “He’s got a few bodyguards, and he’s transported around.”

She was aware.

Here’s where he really lost it.

“I can get close to him. What if I called him up, and I told him I’m not dead, but instead a mercenary? What if I meet with him…?”

Jagger nearly lost his goddamn mind.

He went so red that his hair wasn’t even close to that shade anymore.

He moved closer, and he lowered his voice. It was menacingly dark, deeply angry, and full of rage.

“Let me get this straight. You want me to sit back and let you meet up with a piece of shit Marine killer, who tried to take you out because you wouldn’t keep dating him, and not fucking go apeshit on the world?” he asked. “While you’re pregnant with my child?”

Okay, that was definitely going to be a no.

She pretty much expected that.

“J.”

He moved closer, and he was not amused in the least. His freckles were disappearing against the heat in his cheeks.

“Absolutely fucking no goddamn way that is happening, Maura Armstrong. If you even try that, like the‘getting blown up in the Hummer’stunt, we’re getting divorced. Do you hear me? I’ve never said that to you, but I’ll put that out there right now. If you play bait, our marriage is over, and I’ll never trust you again.”

The tears in his eyes showed how much he was hurting by that suggestion alone.

“And do you see why I have to help then? This is vital, Jagger. I need you to know I won’t do any of that. I won’t risk me or our child. I won’t risk our marriage. I need your help in ending him. I need Mikey O’s tenacity, and Captain Jagger Armstrong’s abilities.”

He calmed down.

She touched his cheek, and he didn’t break his gaze from her.

“If I lose you, I’m done,” he said. “Please don’t make me end our relationship so I’m forced to walk alone without you. I need you, Maura. You and our kids are all I have.”

She found his mouth, and he held onto her. He kissed his wife, and held her against his body so she couldn’t slip away through his fingers.

It pissed him off that she slept with Von Donore, but he could get over that.

It enraged him that he tried to have her killed because he couldn’t have her. In the process, it cost so many people their lives.

Now, he’d be rabid to keep her safe.

When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers, and she held his hands as they stood toe-to-toe.

“We’re good, my sweet mob man,” she promised. “That’s one more reason we need the Snakes too. We have a scumbag to catch.”

He closed his eyes, and calmed down.

“You in?” she asked.

He nodded.