He whispered something to him in a low voice and I was suddenly all ears when I heard Dean’s name fall from his lips. Jagger also looked up, raising his eyebrows and waiting for the officer to respond to the man. He nodded once, jerking his head toward Jagger and me. I sat back down next to my brother, who was watching them closely.
The man walked over to us, looking at me first, and then meeting Jagger’s eyes. “You’re here for Dean Curtis? How are you related to him?”
“He’s our father,” Jagger said, now leaning back and letting the man take the clipboard from him.
The guy nodded slowly, taking another look at me and then down at the paper. He read the top part, nodded slowly and said, “I’m Tripp Bennett. Police detective. Seems like I’ve got to take you two to my office.”
Chapter Twenty
Harlow
Jagger and I exchanged confused looks. Why would a police detective want to talk to us? We came here to bail out Dean, not to be questioned.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Bennett. But what’s the reason for that?” Jagger asked, shoving his fists into his pockets. The guy probably didn’t realize it, but Jag was pissed. Annoyed by the fact he couldn’t just go up to Dean and say whatever he was planning on saying to his face.
“Dean Curtis told us about the things that happened in the past. I need you two to testify. See if what he told me matches your story.”
Now, this is going to be fun. Jagger and I both shook our heads, knowing exactly that whatever Dean told him was wrong. So Jagger nodded und shrugged, knowing we weren’t the bad guys here.
We were taken to an office in the far back of the police station. The lights were dimmed, and Mr. Bennett nodded to a brown couch, indicating us to take a seat.
“Water?” he asked, walking over to what looked like a little bar with different types of beverages on it. He opened the mini fridge underneath it and pulled out a bottle of water.
“No, thank you,” Jag and I said simultaneously. Bennett poured himself a glass, then walked over to the couch in front of us and sat down.
“All right,” he said, first taking a sip of water, then taking out a small binder out of underneath the coffee table. “First, I would like you both to state your name and birthdate.” Before Jagger started to say anything, Bennett opened the binder and pulled out a piece of paper, which looked like our birth certificates were copied on.
Really? Wow, today’s really gonna get interesting.
“Name’s Jagger Dean Curtis.” I cringed, remembering his middle name was the same as my father’s. “Born February 17th, 1993.” Bennett nodded, checking what was written on the copy. He then looked up at me.
“Uh, Harlow Ann Curtis.” Saying my middle name made me feel sick as well. It was my mother’s first name. Not sure why they decided to name their children after themselves. Seems unnecessary if you go on and mess up your kids’ lives anyway. “I was born on October 1st, 1999.”
Bennet nodded as if agreeing with me, then put the paper down and grabbed his notebook and a pen. “Now, I want you two to explain to me what your childhood was like. Starting with you, Jagger. Don’t leave out any details. Be blunt with your words. I need to know everything.”
Jagger sighed and leaned back. I looked at him, knowing whatever he would say would bring me to tears. I was hoping it wouldn’t. I couldn’t start crying in front of a stranger. Last time I cried was in front of Hunter. The timing wasn’t really good either, and I still owed him an explanation. Well, he didn’t ask for one that night. So he probably didn’t care much about it. I don’t blame him.
“I remember the things he did from when I was about four and on,” Jagger started, reaching out to grab my hand. I let him hold my right hand, and with my left hand, I covered his hand, gripping it tightly.
Listening to what Jagger was saying was hard. I knew I’d have to face it all one day. Or at least be able to look past all that and never think back. I was hoping whatever Jagger was telling Bennett was enough so I wouldn’t have to tell him my point of view. I hated talking about it. And just listening to Jag and how he told the story of how badly our father treated us was messing with my head. I wanted to go home. Leave the money for Dean and then get out of here and drive back to Hastings.
At some point, I closed my eyes. I was holding back so many things. Jagger was very explicit with his story. He didn’t leave out much, but when he did, I had to try very hard not to interrupt him and add some parts he missed out.
I looked at Bennett. He was taking notes and comparing some things to another piece of paper in front of him.
“That’s pretty much all I remember.”
Bennett nodded once, looking over at me and then back at Jagger. “I think I got enough. Thank you.”
I let out a relieved sigh and Jagger squeezed my hand. “We’ll be home soon,” he assured me with a tight smile. I just nodded.
“I’ll let you two calm down before I let you see him.” He stood up, took his binder and stepped out of the office, leaving Jag and me sitting there in silence.
Neither of us said anything. Jagger pulled me closer, putting his arms around me tightly and kissing the top of my head. He was comforting me because he knew how much it all bothered me. The past was hell for both of us and I wanted to be there for him just as much as he’s there for me.
“You’re strong, smart, and beautiful. I can’t wait to see his face the second he sees how incredible his daughter grew up to be and all that without him. We made it this far without him. I’m here. You know that.” I nodded, letting my tears hit his shirt.
“No matter what will be after today, what’s important is that we’re together. And you know I will never let you get hurt.”
I knew. Because all of these years with him I was healthy. I never had any problems, never got hurt by anything or anyone. All thanks to my big brother who supported and watched me.
How in the world did I get so lucky?
“I’m here for you too,” I said, hugging him tighter.
“I know. Never doubted that, sweet girl.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Harlow
“Ready?” Bennett asked us both, standing in front of the door that would lead us to our father.
Jagger squeezed my hand tightly, nodding once, and then looking at me with a small smile. “We’ll survive this,” he said jokingly. I gave a tight smile back, wondering how he wasn’t shaking like I was. My insides were twisting and turning and my head was filled with thought, rushing and swirling around in my mind and making me lightheaded.
“In you go.” Bennett opened the door and for a second I closed my eyes tightly, wanting to remember the way Dean looked like the last time I saw him.
His eyes matched Jagger’s and his hair was falling down the side of his face in big waves. Some of it covered his eyes most of the time, making his eyes look darker than they actually were. The dark circles under his eyes made him look tired, but I always wondered how he could be tired by sleeping all day long after a night of drinking. The wrinkles by his eyes weren’t deep, but they hinted that he wasn’t very young. His lips were thin and almost white. His blood wasn’t happy with all the alcohol traveling through his body. His full beard covered his jaw and neck. The clothes he wore made him look like some sort of craftsman, but instead of fixing things, he broke them.
“Look at you…” That deep, growling voice cut through me like a sharp knife and I looked up, seeing the man I despised the most sitting in front of me. Other than white hair peeking through his full locks, he hadn’t changed. At all.
I felt Jagger’s hand tighten on mine even more and I heard him take in a deep breath. It was impossible for him not to feel any type of fear or nervousness while standing in front of Dean. He was trying to stay strong for me. To make sure I felt protected at all times. But he realized quickly that he wouldn’t be able to keep it together enough not to seem weak.
I didn’t blame him. We’d not seen Dean in years. And now we were standing in fron
t of him, not moving and waiting for him to say more.
“Aren’t you going to say hello to your father?” Dean said, looking at Jagger first, then shifting his eyes in my direction. He was sitting at a large table, his elbows leaning on it and his wrists handcuffed to a small metal handle fixed onto the table.
I still couldn’t talk. It felt like someone ripped out my vocal cords and cut out my tongue. “Am I scaring you, angel face?” That made my stomach turn and almost empty itself.
“Don’t call her that.” Jagger took a step forward and pulled me behind him.
Dean looked up at Jagger again, raising a brow in surprise. “Is she not able to talk on her own?” he mocked. A small smirk appeared on his face and I was close to kicking him in the nuts. God, what a dick.
“She simply chooses not to talk to you.” Jag took another deep breath, still holding my hand firmly in his and stroking my fingers with his thumb to calm me down.
“I was hoping not to see you ever again. But here we are. Fucked up once more and I’m the one digging you out of this shit.”
“I didn’t do shit, son. Not my fault people get so damn annoyed when I want some drinks.” Dean looked at Bennett. “Getting arrested for buying drinks at bars is fucking stupid.”
“You were arrested for drunk driving, Curtis. Now, no more swearing,” Bennett said, nodding toward me to indicate that I was standing right there, hearing every word they were saying. I didn’t mind swearing. Not at all. Hell, I swore sometimes. But we were at a police station, surrounded by cops who probably were gonna make him shut up in another way if he kept using such words.
“So you’re still a big fat liar,” Jagger said in an almost laugh. He shook his head, looking down and rubbing his eyes. “There is so much I wanna throw at your face right now…” He looked back up. “But you’ll probably take my words and twist them the way you like it. We’ll pay to bail you out, but you will go back to where you came from. We don’t need you around.”
As if he didn’t just hear what Jagger said, Dean looked back at me and smiled this time. It looked almost real. I had to remind myself that this man was no good. Never has been.
“Has your brother been treating you badly that you’re not speaking up for yourself, angel face?”
I felt my heartbeat quicken and my hands got cold and tingly. A feeling of sickness came over me once again and I was ready to shout.
“I said not to fucking call her like that!” Jagger warned, and Bennett suddenly stepped between the three of us. “All right, that’s enough. Step outside,” he demanded.
“Don’t come any closer to us from here on.” Jagger was threatening him now and I was happy he dragged me out of that room.
“Are you okay?” I asked quietly, following him with quick steps to the front desk. He didn’t answer me, instead, he pulled out his wallet and took out his card.
“Make it quick,” Jagger said to the officer sitting at the desk. He pointed to the card reader and typed something into the computer. “That would be five thousand dollars for Mr. Dean Curtis’ bail. Please put the card in and accept the payment. Sign on the monitor after.”
Five thousand dollars?
While Jagger was doing what the cop said, I tried to wrap my head around how much money he just paid for this.
“We’ll keep in touch, all right?” I turned to see Bennet walking toward us.
Jagger just nodded. “Thank you. Have a great one.” He pulled me out of the police station, dragging me over to his car and opening the passenger door for me.
“Get in.” He was furious. Not because of me, but because of Dean. I understood that and wasn’t going to take this personally.
I simply got into the car and buckled up, waiting for Jagger to get inside too. As soon as he was sitting next to me he started the engine and drove off.
I planned on asking him about the money. How he got that amount and why he could afford that. But not right now.
He needed to calm down first.
Just as I looked down to my lap, my phone vibrated and I took it out of my jacket, reading what was written on my screen.
Hunter: Text me when you’re back.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hunter
Leaving her alone in her bed that morning was hard. Never thought I would feel empty the second I didn’t hold her in my arms. I felt my body turn cold, standing in her doorway and watching her sleep peacefully for a minute.
She was beautiful. Inside and out. I even told her she’s beautiful once…or multiple times. I didn’t remember. But each time I complimented her, her cheeks turned bright red and she immediately shook her head to tell me I should stop saying it. How could I, though? I never felt the urge to call a woman pretty. Never in my life have I had the will to compliment a girl.
I never even had to try catching someone’s attention because the attraction was always mutual. They saw me, came up to me, and asked if I was up for some fun. I always was. Girls were easy in this city. They weren’t very talkative and liked to head straight to bed without hesitation.
I liked them easy. I liked them willing and wild. I liked the way they didn’t even need to know my name or where I came from to let me fuck them.
But Harlow? Oh, sweet Harlow…
There were certain moments in my life I questioned my being. Why was I here? Why on earth did I deserve to live on this planet?
I wasn’t a good man. I had hatred in me. I wasn’t sure where it came from and it sure as hell bothered the fuck out of me. I had a shit past. But then, most people did and they didn’t go around hurting people or messing with their heads. That’s exactly what I was doing to Harlow.
That innocent, kind-hearted girl crashed into my mind in one big bang and I hated myself for letting her close.
I hated myself for letting her see the evil I was. The hate and my abusiveness toward her was nothing she deserved. Her past was fucked up too, just like mine and Jagger’s.
Jagger, my best friend who I trusted most in this life, had no fucking idea how wrong and twisted I treated his little sister. His beloved sister he had to protect from a violent and sick father at a young age.
Go figure, I was now treating her just the same.
I wasn’t sure Harlow knew Jagger told me about their past. That night I picked her up from the diner and got close to her, so damn close I thought I got addicted to her, that night she had the breakdown right in front of me and I acted like I didn’t know why.
I was an idiot. I should’ve held her. Calmed her down and told her she’s safe with me. But in her mind, she probably wasn’t. I was touching her places she’s only been touched by that bastard she had as a father.
The thing was, I didn’t want her to get attached. I tried to find the balance between too close and too far, but it seemed like I couldn’t get close enough to her.
Fuck.
Last night I put on quite a show. Drunk and angry at myself, I showed up to her house, knowing she was alone because Jagger had to handle some things. I knew she was alone and I wanted to protect her from the outside world. From strangers who could’ve walked into that house of hers and do things to her.
The funny thing is, I was probably the one she needed protection from.
I was making noise in the kitchen on purpose. I wanted her to wake up and I wanted her to see me. Drunk. How fucking stupid was I?
The second she stepped into the hallway in her cute pajamas I almost lost it. Hearing her say my name made my body turn warm again. The cold feeling was gone instantly and all my worries disappeared. I needed her. I needed her more than I realized.
I knew it was wrong touching and kissing her while drunk. But just like that damn alcohol, I was addicted to her. I tried my best not to move quickly. Not to scare her off or make her hate me.
But then, I wasn’t sure she was even capable of hating someone. All the things I did to her in that short time were horrible. I was an asshole. I fucked up. Yet she was there, letting me suck on her perfect b
reasts and make her moan my name on the damn kitchen counter.
Fuck.
I was feeling dizzy while I made her feel good under my touch. She wanted it. I knew she did. She enjoyed the things I did to her and I loved the way she surrendered herself to me. Once again.
She knew when to stop, though. She knew her limits. And hell, I was ready to step over those limits with her. When she was ready, that is.
In bed, cuddled up with her, I told her we were a mess. A magnificent mess. It was stupid. But true.
There wasn’t much more I remembered from last night.
All I knew was I shouldn’t have left. I wanted to keep her tucked by my side under the covers and feel her heartbeat against mine.
Hunter: Text me when you’re back.
I sent an hour ago.
Jagger told me where they went. He also knew I’ve spent the night in his sister’s bed. His fist hitting my nose this morning was needed. I owed him. But he also told me not to mess with her and to leave her alone.
I couldn’t. I needed to see her.
Harlow: Meet me behind the diner.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Harlow
After a quick change into my work clothes, Jagger gave me a lift to the diner. He said he needed to go check on something and wanted to make sure I got safely to work. We didn’t talk about what happened just an hour before in Grand Island. I wanted to ask him about the money. I knew he worked, but most of his money was used to pay our bills and buy groceries.
The money I got from working at the diner wasn’t a lot either, but I tried to help Jagger out as much as possible. We didn’t get anything substantial out of the money we had. New clothes were rare and we had to make sure we didn’t buy the most expensive meat for dinner.
When I got out of the car, Jagger told me he would be picking me up after my shift was over. I knew this had to do with Dean. Even if Jagger threatened him back at the police station not to come close to Hastings, I knew he wouldn’t listen. Jag knew too. That’s why he was protecting me like this. Normally, he had let me walk home alone at night without being scared that something could’ve happened to me. And he was right about that. I always got home safe.
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