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MADISON

“ W e’re gonna have some fun, Maddie.” Ben looms over me, holding up a pocket knife. I cringe, thinking he’s going to stab and cut me up with it. Instead, he grabs my hands, cutting the ropes. Then he does the same to my ankles.

Once the ropes have been cut, his eyes pierce mine. “I enjoyed the last time you fought me. This time should be even better.”

Oh hell no. Adrenaline pumps through me, the training I did with Jagger flooding my mind. I shove my shoulder into Ben’s stomach, which causes him to groan and lean over, caught off guard.

Jumping to my feet, tingles shoot through my legs as the blood pours into my limbs. Staggering, I slam my shoulder against the wall, wincing as I don’t stop moving, focused on making it to the door. Or at least to the kitchen for me to find a knife or weapon of some kind.

As I move, my mom screams at me to run. Fueled by her words, I will my tingling limbs to go faster. I’m able to make it a few steps before Ben grabs my ankle, pulling me down. I brace myself with my hands as I fall. Then he’s on top of me, rolling me onto my back. I struggle against him, jabbing my thumbs into his eyes. Screaming, he leans back and I use that advantage, punching him in the stomach. I continue struggling, managing to free my lower body. Yanking my leg back, I kick him as hard as I can in the chest, and crawl forward, trying to get away.

“You fucking bitch,” he screams, tackling me once again. My body slams down on the hardwood floor. “I’m going to fucking ruin you.” He grabs my hair and slams my face into the floor. I scream, pain exploding in my head.

Grabbing my hips, he yanks me to my knees. His hands move around to the front of my jeans. I twist and squirm, my wrists aching from the rope burns.

“You know what, Ben? I don’t fucking believe you. Jagger loves me.”

My words throw him off, causing him to pause for a beat. I take advantage of the opportunity, slamming the back of my head into his, head-butting him so hard it makes my skull ache.

Ben screams and falls back to his knees. I scramble forward on my hands and feet, trying to stand. Before I can, Ben grabs my ankle again, pulling me down to the floor. I flip, kicking at him, connecting with his stomach. He howls, and I slam the back of my shoe into his hand, squirming from beneath him, my confidence soaring.

I’m not going down without a fight, motherfucker. I refuse to make this easy for you.

“When Jagger finds me, he’s going to beat the shit out of you for hurting me.” I try to kick him again, but Ben catches my foot, twisting my ankle. With a roar, he dives on me, his hands going around my throat. My eyes are wide as he chokes me, the look on his face full of fury. His rage has taken over and I see it in his eyes. He’s not going to stop until he kills me.

I struggle against him, trying not to gasp for oxygen, but that’s exactly what I end up doing. Reaching up, I wrap my hands around his arms, trying to get them off me.

Panic fills me . Jagger, I’m sorry. I tried fighting him. As I struggle against Ben, I cling to Jagger’s voice, echoing inside my ears. I love you.

Removing my hands from his arms, black spots floated in my vision. I know I’m losing this fight, but I can’t give up yet. Jabbing my thumbs in his eyes as hard as I can, Ben howls and releases my throat. Lying on the floor, I gasped for breath, telling myself to capitalize on the situation.

I hear a commotion that sounds a lot like the door busting open, but before I can determine if it’s real or imagined, Ben is on me again, his hand wrapping around my throat. His other hand grabs my shirt, tugging it up as I struggle beneath him.

Then I hear the voice that belongs to the man I love.

“ Get the fuck off my woman .” Jagger’s strong voice fills the rickety cabin. He leaps over me, kicking Ben in the head, which causes him to release his hold from my neck. My eyes briefly connect with Jagger’s before he grabs Ben, punching him so hard he flies across the room and onto the dirty, bloody mattress beside my mom. “I’m going to beat the shit out of you for touching what’s mine. For hurting her.” His voice booms through the cabin, making me shiver.

Tears course down my cheeks as I cough, sucking in oxygen. I slowly sit up, staring at Jagger’s back, feeling as though I’m dreaming. He’s a flurry of fury as he leaps onto Ben, his fists hitting him, over and over again.

“Hey, Maddie.” I look up as Jason squats down beside me. His hands grab my shirt, tugging it down before he helps me to my feet. “Are you okay?”

I nod, leaning against him, so damned grateful for the two of them. “The two of you found me…” A sob chokes off the rest of my words.

Jason gives me a smile. “We’re here, Mads. We came to your rescue.”

“I was a mess without him. I know it was stupid what I did.” Turning my head to look at Jagger, my heart is filled with love. “But I never want to be without him again.”

Jason chuckles. “You won’t have to worry about that. You’ll be lucky if he lets you use the bathroom without him hovering over you after that stunt you pulled.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “I’d be okay with that.”

As Ben slumps down on the mattress, unconscious, Jagger turns to me. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Jagger.” Pulling away from Jason, I run to him, flinging myself into his arms. He lifts me up and I wrap my legs and arms around him, clinging to him. Inhaling his familiar aroma, I bury my face against his neck, violent sobs overtaking me.

“It’s okay, baby girl.” He shifts his position and I know he’s ensuring he can keep an eye on Ben. “I’m here. You’re safe.”

Safe. Jagger has always made me feel safe, even when my entire world turned upside down, my equilibrium unbalanced. He’s my lifeboat in turbulent waters. My life vest when the sea is too rough, trying to drown me.

He started out as my stalker. Now he’s the one I can’t live without.

My home .

I feel so damn foolish for ever doubting Jagger’s love for me. It pours from him, feeling every facet of my being, healing my broken pieces.

Ben moans and I immediately lift my head, fear running up and down my spine. I slide down Jagger’s body, my gaze locked on Ben as he stirs. My head turns to Jagger, watching as his nostrils flare as he stares at my mom with hatred and bitterness before his gaze locks on Ben.

Jagger gently pushes me toward Jason, who grabs me, pulling me away. I watch in horrified fascination as a different side of Jagger emerges. He’s animalistic, monstrous, as he pounces on Ben, his fists slamming into his face. “You fucking hurt my woman.” His hand slams against Ben’s face again. Slam . “You stole her from me.” A sickening crack fills the room and Ben screams, blood gushing from somewhere. I can’t tell where because Jagger is blocking my view.

“Told you he’d kill anyone who touched you,” Jason says into my ear, making me smile.

I glance up at him. “Did he burn down Falls Creek to find me?”

Jason chuckled. “Surprisingly, no. But if you were gone any longer, that’s more than possible.”

I giggle, grateful Jason is here. I need his crazy sense of humor right now.

My attention returns to Jagger, who is still beating the hell out of Ben. Neither Jason nor I make a move to stop him as his fists fly. “Your first fucking mistake was touching my woman .” Jagger’s voice shakes from rage as his fist slams into Ben’s stomach. “Your next fucking mistake was hurting her.”

What happens next seems to occur in slow motion. My mom finally worked for her hands free of the ropes and I watched as she grabbed Jagger’s gun from the waistband of his pants. Horror fills me, my chest thudding so hard inside my chest from my increased heartbeat.

Without a second thought, I take off running toward Jagger. My mom has the gun pointed at him. Her face is twisted from rage and disgust as she says, “Jagger Williams.” A cold smile pulls her lips up. “You’re made a fucking mess for me.”

He turns his head, staring at her and the barrel of the gun as I leap, my body hitting him as I hear the click, and then she fires.