She was going to marry him.
That’s all that mattered.
“Thank you, Avalon,” Luke said.
“What about me?” Maura asked.
“You look like a hussy.”
She laughed and held out her fist. Avalon did something she normally couldn’t. She bumped it.
Then the smile on her face made Nate’s heart skip. Yeah, that alone was worth it. She could use the man’s vision any day.
“So we’re going to do what, exactly?” Bishop asked.
“You, Luke, and Nate are going to investigate their deaths. This killer has crossed their paths. While he’s strong, he didn’t just pluck all these women out of thin air,” Avalon stated.
“And us?” Lucian asked.
“We’re going to start hunting the hunter. If we can get a heads up when he’s going to use someone’s dreams, or a name, we might be able to save them.”
“And me?” asked Maura.
“You’re our babysitter. I know how Nate gets,” she offered.
“He gets irritated when you take over,” he teased. Actually, he was glad Avalon was asserting herself. This was THEIR team. They needed to do their thing. Once out in the field, he’d be doing the sleuthing, and she’d be doing the Oracling.
That was how they had to roll.
“And Jagger?” Maura asked.
“He has to stay on Roxy. If we feel like this killer is targeting her again, he’s the only one who can help pull her out from going under. We’re talking death here.”
“How is he killing them?” Bishop asked.
“He’s scaring them to death.”
“Wow. That’s…”
“Crazy?” she asked.
“Horrifying. How do we stop a killer who is playing in someone’s mind? This sounds a little out of our league,” Bishop admitted. She was an investigator.
How did you investigate a psychic?
Both Lucian and Avalon raised their hands. They knew that this was going to come down to them being on their game.
Bishop was worried.
She recalled the last time Lucian was dealing with some crazy. The man targeted him, and in the process got her.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked. “Are you sure you’re…?”
“Up for it?”
“Yes.”
“I need to do this, Bish, baby. When I got my second chance, my goal was to find the person who did this to me, but we did that. What else am I supposed to do? You know I can’t go back and practice law. The media skewered us. I’ve lost my credibility since they think I put the bullet in York. It’s our word against their speculation.”
She was aware.
They were both screwed. The only thing that saved them was Lucian was loaded. They technically didn’t have to work, but then they’d go crazy sitting around.
Seriously, they could only do it so many times a day.
“Are you sure you want us working with you?” she asked Nate. “We’re not exactly loved and revered. If the media latches on to us, you might get pulled into the spotlight.”
While that freaked him out, they didn’t have a choice. Avalon needed Lucian’s help, and they could use Bishop’s investigative skills. She’d figured out who was targeting people in Ravenswood and knew how to be a cop.
She was good at what she did.
Then there was the main reason. Avalon had stated that they had to be part of this. When she threw down the law, the team had no choice but to listen. When they didn’t, bad things happened.
No one wanted that.
The team could use their help, and Nate was all about more eyes keeping his prize safe. Avalon was what mattered most to him. Yes, he loved helping people, but he’d yank her if they got made. Her safety was paramount.
“You’re welcome on our team. Avalon needs Lucian’s help, and she can see when he’s around. She needs to see.”
For that, and that alone, Nate would swallow anything for her. Yes, he was jealous, but he’d put the love of his life first. It was the right thing to do.
“Great. What’s up first? I’m itching to start investigating,” Bishop stated. She chugged her coffee.
“We’re going to go see Jagger and Roxy before we dig into this killer and the victims,” Nate offered.
“As a warning, they were both ambushed,” Avalon stated. “In order for fate to stay on track, they had to be. Neither is going to like us right about now.”
They all knew who would bear the brunt of that anger. It was going to be focused on Avalon.
“We should go see them,” Bishop said. “I have a bone to pick with my best friend. It’s been two months, and I only got one post card. There are rules, and she kicked the shit out of them.”
Lucian knew his wife was hurt. When they had the judge marry them in the hospital, she’d asked for Roxy.
Silas had to break the news.
She’d bailed…AGAIN.
It had stung, but he knew they’d eventually work it out. From what Silas had told him, they always did.
“Work sounds like a good idea,” Bishop stated.
They pushed away from the table, and the men threw down money for their coffees.
“Can I ride with Lucian?” Avalon asked. “We need to finish working out our plan, and I really like being able to see.”
Luke stared at his best friend, waiting for the freak out. Only none came. The man stayed calm.
This was new.
“If you take Maura,” Nate offered, “then I don’t mind if you do. I just want you to be safe.”
She kissed him on the cheek and bounded after the couple like a kid.
“Wow, you didn’t flip your shit. I’m proud of you, my friend,” Luke stated when Maura followed Avalon to the other vehicle.
“I’m trying.”
“Trying to do what?”
“Get my fiancée to the altar. I’m walking a very fine line, and we all know it.”
Luke lifted a brow. “Bro, she loves you.”
“Oh, I know.”
Only, he was still struggling with the main issue. He was jealous by nature, and his woman didn’t see it.
That was bound to be a problem.
* * * O R A C L E * * *
Roxy’s Cabin
All night, he’d simply knock on her door, asking her if she was awake. He never came in, and he never bothered to look her in the face.
It was fine.
She knew she deserved it.
Roxy expected this kind of hate, and now she only needed to get past it. This wasn’t going to change. They’d had sex, she’d gotten pregnant, somehow, and they had a little life that needed some stability.
Sadly, that was going to be her. Roxy knew the universe had a sense of humor. She was the last person who should be responsible for another life.
Look at how she’d screwed up hers.
It was time to grow up, fix her shit, and be an adult. That meant ensuring that her child would have a decent future. While she told Jagger she’d do this alone, she knew that wasn’t going to be possible.
She needed backup.
That meant one man.
Yes, she had a trust fund, and yes, her grandfather would take care of her, but Roxy needed a job.
She needed to feel useful. It was time to bite the bullet and beg for forgiveness from the last person left in her life.
She picked up her phone and made a call.
On the third ring, he answered. “Roxanne?”
“Hey, Granddad. Yeah, it’s me. I just called to tell you that I miss you.”
There was silence.
Muffled voices, and then he was back.
“Honey, where the hell are you? I hate when you do this. I really wish you’d come home.”
“I want to, Granddad. I really do, but I have to finish something here. When I do, I’m coming back. I promise.”
She knew she needed to tell him.
This was the part that was going to really suck, an
d she knew it. Silas was going to flip his shit.
“I’m also bringing someone with me.”
He was surprised. Silas Reed didn’t get shocked often. Here was one of the few moments where his granddaughter was able to shock him.
“Who?” he asked.
“Granddad, I’m pregnant.”
He must have dropped his phone.
“WHAT?”
“You heard me. You’re old, not deaf. Knock it off,” she teased, knowing how to handle the older man.
“Don’t sass me, missy. You just called and dropped one hell of a bomb. Let me state now that you had better have a ring on your finger and a man to go along with that baby.”
“It’s not the Stone Age, pops. I got knocked up, so there’s no ring or man.”
There was silence.
Roxy knew what was coming next, and she was braced for it. This was why she didn’t tell Silas when she found out. She didn’t want to deal with his anger.
Oh, it wouldn’t be directed at her.
Never.
It was going to be pointed right at Jagger.
“Who is the man?”
She wouldn’t tell him.
“What’s his name, Roxy? I’ll take care of him. I’ll make sure he knows I’m not happy.”
She couldn’t let that happen.
Silas didn’t just threaten. If you were on his shit list, you were ‘handled’. She’d seen it happen a few times before. While her grandfather was patient, he also made sure the world lived by his favorite saying.
An eye for an eye.
Yeah, she wasn’t spilling those beans.
“I mean it, Roxanne. I WILL handle it.”
“Like you took care of my father and your own child?” she asked.
He said nothing.
“Roxanne, we don’t discuss that.”
“Granddad, I’m going to have this baby, and I really need you in my life. Please don’t turn your back on me.”
She started crying.
“I need you, Granddad. I really need someone to tell me I can do this. I’m afraid. You know what I saw growing up. I can’t be that kind of mother.”
It softened him.
When it came to Roxy, it always would. She was his little girl. She’d always be that broken bird he’d nursed back to health when his own child destroyed her.
“Oh, sweetheart, I’d never turn my back on you. Stop your tears. We’ll be okay. I love little ones. I can’t believe I’m going to be a great grandfather. You gave me a gift and I won’t forget it. When you’re ready, baby girl, you come home. I’ll take care of both of you if that scumbag man isn’t going to do it.”
“Can I have my job back?”
He sighed.
“Please? I know I screwed up. I was scared. Please, Granddad?”
“We’ll discuss it when you get here. I have to work on that. The city council is cracking down. Bishop lost her job. I don’t know if I can save yours. You were the coroner on duty when the shit hit the fan.”
She got it.
She understood.
“If I can’t get it back, I’ll take care of you. Trust me when I say you have nothing to worry about, sweetheart.”
“I love you, Granddad.”
“I love you too, Roxanne. We can get through this. I promise you. I’ll put a playpen in my damn office if I have to. You just come home to me.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Make sure. I will always have your back, Roxanne. You’re not my grandchild. You’re MY little girl. I protect my own. I won’t let anyone hurt you or your child. That baby is mine now too.”
“Thank you, Granddad.”
“For you, sweetheart, anything.”
Roxy hung up.
At least she had him. Still, it wasn’t the man she wanted in her life, but it would have to do. Jagger hated her. It broke her.
Roxy had no choice.
She cried.
Yes, he was eavesdropping.
Yes, it was wrong.
How else was he supposed to figure all of this out? Jagger was at a loss. She loved him, and then left. She was pregnant, and now didn’t want him in his child’s life. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do about all of this.
She was having his child.
Shit!
That changed everything, and he knew it. Part of his code as a Marine was to be honorable. How could he walk away from her while she was carrying half of him?
That was his baby too.
He wanted to be angry at her, but he couldn’t do it. He’d dumped his emotions all over her already. It took two people to make a baby, and he’d been an active participant in the whole thing. When he slid into her body, he’d made the choice not to protect himself, and her.
That was on him.
Had it been once, he could say he’d been stupid. This hadn’t been isolated.
In fact, it had been multiple times. Maybe he did it on purpose. Maybe a part of him prayed for a way to get her to stay in his life.
Or maybe he was just an idiot.
Yeah, that was likely it.
Jagger needed to get a better grip on all of this. He needed to get back in control, and fix this mess.
Plus, he’d heard what Silas Reed had said.
He was man enough to take care of his child. Did no one care what he thought? What he wanted? Was he invisible? Why did everyone think he had no feelings?
She was having his child.
That was huge.
So, instead of being angry with her, he opted to do the right thing. Jagger was going to refocus and help the mother of his child. If she was growing a baby and a killer was after her, he had to do what it took to keep her safe.
He’d go with the basics.
Heading into the kitchen, he grabbed some random food that he’d found there. She needed to eat, and he’d make sure she fed herself and the child she was growing.
Roxy might not want him to be part of their child’s life, but he wasn’t walking away from the baby.
When he heard her crying, he hated every second of it. Maybe he could make her feel better with eating. When Avalon was pregnant, before they lost the baby, she liked to consume just about anything they could get her. Pregnant women liked calories.
So, he was going with that.
Gathering everything he could find, he headed toward her bedroom. Once there, he knocked.
“Go away.”
He knocked again.
“I said…”
Jagger took a chance. He opened the door and slid a tray into the room. On it was a bowl of cereal, some milk, a jar of pickles, and some peanut butter.
Then he closed the door.
“You should eat,” he stated.
Jagger knew that when dealing with angry women, it was best to handle them like a wild animal. Claws hurt. Kicks to the balls were far worse.
It was a game of chance.
He heard footsteps, and then a spoon hitting a bowl. So far, there wasn’t going to be a blood bath.
Okay, she was eating.
It was a start.
“I didn’t know what you wanted,” he stated. “We’ve only ever had one meal together. It was a bagel. If you want that, I can go get you one. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll handle it, Roxy.”
She poured the milk over the cereal.
Roxy was so hungry she could eat a whole cow.
She was also glad to be talking to someone other than herself. Jagger didn’t sound pissed off anymore.
“I’m good.”
She ate.
A few minutes went by, and she took a chance.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, finally realizing that he was silently waiting outside the door.
He wasn’t, but if it meant getting her to talk to him, he’d take his chances.
“I am. Want to share?”
The door opened, and out came a pickle covered in peanut butter.
Well, shit.
That sucked.
/>
Still, he took it.
Jagger popped it into his mouth and chewed as fast as he could just to get it down. It was the worst tasting thing he’d ever eaten in his life, and that was saying a lot. He once had to eat grubs in a forest to survive.
There was laughter. “Did you really eat that, Jagger?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Wow, you must be hard up.”
“For what? Your attention? Your love?” he asked, the anger back in his voice.
The door immediately closed.
It was like something a wounded animal might do when it was cornered. She was backing away from him. Jagger needed to get himself under control.
“What wouldn’t I do for you, Roxy? I fell in love with you, and you left. It hurt. I’m still wounded over it. I’m trying.”
He held his breath.
The door opened a little and out came her hand holding a bowl of cereal. Apparently, they were sitting back to back against the wall.
“I’ll share my cereal with you.”
He took it.
Then he needed to know what he was facing. If he was ever going to heal, Jagger needed the truth.
“Did you mean what you said in your letter? Did you feel anything for me?” he asked.
“I felt everything for you. I just couldn’t stay.”
“Why?” he asked.
That was the part that kept breaking him. If she could give him a good reason, he’d fight for her. If she could make him understand, he’d do battle against all odds.
He simply couldn’t do this himself.
It took two, and she was holding back. He could feel it.
“I’m a disaster. Look at this. I’m hard to love, Jagger. I’m not what any sane person needs in life.”
What a coincidence.
That was pretty much how he’d describe himself too. It looked like they had a lot in common.
Jagger took a bite of the cereal and handed the bowl back. At least they were sharing a meal. That had to mean something. He only wished she’d open up and trust him.
He didn’t get Roxy.
She was hot and then cold, and then ice cold, and then warm. He was going crazy trying to figure her out. Honestly, he hated puzzles. Jagger liked to know what he was facing, and then he’d deal with it head on.
Oracle Saving (The Phoenix Files Book 3) Page 9
