Free Altering Authority by Ashley Dooley

in each other’s company, but knew that a relationship was out of the question. Phil had told Jager that he didn’t like the thought of them together like that. Jager assured him that nothing would happen. He loved Tatum. He wanted her to stay safe and he knew that being in a relationship like that, with him, wasn’t good for anyone. Loving him was dangerous, and the thought of something happening to her like it did to April, kept him up at night. Aside from himself, he had his kids to worry about. He didn’t want them to have to go through that again. Not to mention the distance.
    Three days before the guys planned on returning back to San Francisco, things changed. Tatum had left that morning after receiving a questionable text from one of her dancers. She didn’t say much to her father before calling Rick and heading out, just what the text said and that she shouldn’t be long. Jager had still been in bed with Matthew and Connor, and heard through Phil and Gary what had happened. The morning turned into afternoon, afternoon into evening, with no sign of Tatum or her guys. Jager grew worried, just as much as Phil. They paced the house. Called her cell numerous times only to go directly to voice mail.
    Around 9 pm Rick walked in through the main doors, to find the guys sitting around waiting anxiously. Upon seeing his appearance, Phil and Jager stood abruptly and began questioning him. He was covered in soot and blood. His shirt was ripped and there was a gash across his forehead that extended to his ear. He didn’t say what happened; just that Tatum had gone in through the basement doors to avoid the kids seeing her. Jager knew better. Tatum would have known that the boys were asleep by now. Rick was in no mood to say anything and instead just walked past them all to get a shower.
    As soon as he left, Phil and Jager rushed downstairs toward the bathroom that Tatum used most. They heard the shower start up. Jager beat on the door while Phil stood back and leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest. When he got no answer he beat harder, unnecessarily. “Open the door, Tatum,” he said loudly.
    She knew he’d punch his way in if she didn’t answer. Slowly she unlocked it. Jager opened and his heart constricted when he saw her. Her face was filthy, her lip busted, and her clothes bloody. Phil nearly bowled Jager over in an effort to get to her. Jager held him back, knowing his tendency to overwhelm people he loved with worry.
    Tatum hung her head and shook it.
    The men just stood there for a minute or so staring at her until she raised her eyes to them.
    “Are you Ok?” Jager asked. He saw her visibly swallow. She shook her head and that was all he needed. He walked toward her and she put her face on his chest while he wrapped his arms around her.
    Phil came to stand next to them and he rubbed his daughters back gently. “What happened lovey?” he asked as Jager smoothed her hair.
    Tatum took a deep breath, “they blew up the club. Killed one of my girls… and Marcus.”
    Jagers hand froze in her hair. “What, who?” he said venomously.
    Phil stopped too and began pacing the hallways.
    She just shook her head, lifting it from Jager.
    “Whose blood is this?” he asked her, more softly now, pulling at her shirt.
    She looked at him then. “Not mine.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    After getting a shower and changing into some sweats and one of the guys shirts that she found folded on top of the dryer, Tatum headed to the upstairs bathroom in an attempt to find some Advil for her headache, and something to put on her lip. Her ribs were in pretty rough shape. She expected to see Phil and Jager but was surprised when she rounded the corner and found the whole gang waiting quietly for her.
    When they saw her they all stood up. Phil came first to wrap her in his arms. He hugged her and kissed her temple, “I’m sorry Lovey. We’ll get the bastards who did this.” The procession