Page 64 of Painkiller (Sin Records #3)

Doors open and footsteps sound through the vast garage. My heart pounds, expecting more reinforcements from Brett. Or maybe even the police. Instead, Henry comes rushing in with a man I don’t recognize, leading the other guy who broke into my apartment at gun point.

Henry wastes no time getting to Jagger and Will.

He tries to put himself between them as I did, but when that doesn’t slow Jagger either, he changes tactics.

He maneuvers himself until he has Jagger in a chokehold.

Jagger continues to fight, and I see Henry’s arms bulge as he squeezes tighter.

“Quit fighting. It’s over, Jagger. It’s over. ”

The haze slowly evaporates in his eyes. Awareness settles. He stares at Will for a second and blinks. “You good, kid?” Henry asks.

Jagger takes a staggered breath and nods, but when Henry releases him, Will steps forward with a massive right hook that knocks Jagger to the ground.

“If you weren’t… you , I’d fucking kill you.

” He walks toward him, extending his hand.

Jagger accepts and gets to his feet. “Don’t ever do that shit again. ”

“He hurt her,” Jagger tells him. “I wasn’t letting him get away with that.”

“He can’t hurt her now, Jagger. He’s gone.”

For the first time, I look toward Brett’s lifeless body, gasping when I see his unrecognizable face.

Jagger’s head snaps toward me. The distance between us is closed in two steps. “I’m right here,” I reassure him. My face is tucked into his hands as he slams his lips to mine. I want it—need it, but when I said everything hurts, I meant it, and a sharp hisses escapes.

He pulls back examining me. “You need a doctor.”

“Right back at you,” I gesture to the blood seeping from his side.

He lifts his shirt, revealing a gnarly gash. “We can fix me later.”

“What about this guy?” the guy I still don’t know asks, jerking his hostage. “You want to take him to Dom? If not, we can leave him here when we torch the place.” He looks at me with a nod. “I’m Christian, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you?”

“Yeah, we’ll take him to Dom. In fact, I’ll call him to come meet us here.” Will answers. “You guys go home. Or to a hospital. We’ll clean up.”

I barely make it two steps before Jagger lifts me, carrying me all the way to the SUV. Henry won’t take no for an answer about a hospital, making a phone call to get us in the back way and seen immediately. Some premium VIP service I could get used to.

Two hours later, we walk into his childhood home, me with crutches for my fractured ankle and him with fifteen stitches. He leads me to the nearest sitting room, helping me elevate my foot. Graham appears with Casey and Phoebe behind him moments later.

Casey makes a bee-line for me, but Jagger steps in her way before she can reach me. She looks at him with hurt marring her pretty face. “What are you doing?”

“Making sure you don’t tackle her. She’s sore and tired.”

“I wasn’t…I mean I’m not…” Her brows furrow deeper with every word.

“I’ll let you by if you dial it back.”

She nods, still looking confused, and sits by me. Leaning over, she hugs me gently and whispers, “I don’t know what you did to him, but he’s never been so…” she sighs, happy and content. “Please, don’t ever leave him.”

“No pressure there,” I joke quietly.

“I’ll let you be. I just wanted to tell you I’m glad you’re okay.”

She kisses Jagger and Graham on the cheek as she walks out of the room. “If you need anything, let someone know,” Graham tells us, his eyes firmly on his brother, assessing him like he’s taking inventory.

“Your money is in the bag on the kitchen counter,” Jagger tells him.

Graham shrugs. “Was never worried about the money, Jagger. My only concern was you.” He looks at me, making the same scrutinizing pass. “Don’t break my little brother’s heart, Poppy. You won’t like me if you do.”

“Not sure I like you now,” I reply with a smile.

He snorts, but I see his lips twitch with a grin.

And then there were three.

Phoebe still lingers at the door. I can tell she wants to come to me, but something is holding her back. I’m not sure if it’s Jagger, me, or herself.

I pat the seat next to me, encouraging her to come. Her eyes dart to Jagger, almost asking permission. I have no idea what happened between them when he got to my apartment. Or even why she ended up here. I don’t care either. All I know is that, for tonight, I have my sister with me.

Part of me wants to ask Jagger to give us a few minutes together. It would give him the opportunity to check on Noah and me the chance to speak with Phoebe in private. When I look at him, though, I can’t bring myself to ask. Not when he’s already silently pleading for me to let him stay.

A second passes, then another. I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen here. But I don’t have long to wonder.

Phoebe throws herself at me, jostling my ankle that’s propped on the sofa.

A small hiss passes my lips, and Jagger inches forward.

I give a subtle shake of my head, asking him to stay put.

To let us have this. His jaw clenches, but he steps back until he’s leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

“I’m so sorry, Poppy. I…I…” She weeps on my shoulder, clinging to me tightly.

“Shh.” I brush her long, dark hair, squeezing her back. “It’s okay. You didn’t know what would happen.” Even if she did, I wouldn’t care. Not now. Not tonight.

She leans back, wiping tears as they spill down her cheeks. “Dad?” My lips press together, thick emotion pooling in my own eyes as I shake my head.

We hug again, this time longer. This time crying for our loss, but also for what I hope we’ve gained.

When we eventually pull away, she glances over her shoulder at Jagger before looking at me. “So how did that happen?”

My chest squeezes as I look across the room. Two weeks. It’s insane what can happen in two weeks. Even more so, how fast a person can fall in love in such a short period. But there’s no point in denying it.

“It’s a long story. But I love him, Phoebe.” My eyes lift, meeting his as I utter the truest thing I’ve ever said or felt. He doesn’t respond or react, but it’s okay. He will when he’s ready.

And after everything, I know that I won’t apologize for how I feel, and giving him up is not an option. It’s messy, it’s twisted, and somehow, that makes it beautiful. I have no idea where we will end up. How this will work, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, Jagger Davis was made for me.

My sister smiles, soft and understanding, patting my leg gently. “Then one day, you’ll have to tell me this long story. ”