Free Dark Desire by Bec Botefuhr Page B

anymore. “Just be careful, you’re well known out there and Jagger won’t always be around to protect you. Running around at night, that’s dangerous.”
    “Is that a threat?” I snap, angrily.
    “Beautiful girl, I don’t make threats. Please tell my son I’m here, it was lovely talking to you , Willow.”
    He reluctantly lets me go and I step away, w rapping my arms around myself. Something about him has my senses on high alert, while he seems genuine, I don’t have a good feeling about him. Maybe it’s just the mood tonight all around. I turn and walk up into the light, feeling it’s a little safer up there. I find an old swing and sit on it, wrapping my hands around the chain and staring into the darkness.
    I see a set of hands slide around the chains beside mine, and I know whose they are. Jagger. He pulls the swing back and lets it go, swinging me gently. We do this for a while, him pushing me and neither of us speaking. Finally, he grips the chains and slows the swing down, leaning in to wrap his arms around my neck and pull me backwards into his chest. When my head is resting against the hard wall of muscle, he reaches down and lifts me off the swing, setting me on the soft grass beside it.
    “I’m sorry baby; the way she behaved back there…it was wrong.”
    “She doesn’t like me Jagger, I don’t know why.”
    “She liked Sharleen; she’s just sour about it.”
    “I can never compete with her Jagger, I just don’t fit. Sharleen was all sunshine and I’m just rain…”
    He strokes my cheek. “I like rain.”
    “Maybe she’s right,” I whisper. “Maybe I am dark.”
    “She’s not right, I know what I want and I’ve never been so clear about where my life needs to go. My life is with you Willow baby, it was since the moment I laid eyes on you. I’m not givin’ up; I won’t give up because you crawled inside me and wrapped your hands around my heart, making everything ok again.”
    “ I don’t want her to hate me Jagger; it’s not fair on you.”
    He kisses my head softly. “Let her do whatever she thinks she needs to, it won’t change what I feel.”
    “She’s your family.”
    “If she’s true family, she’ll accept you Willow. I told you once you’re my little ray of darkness, and you fit me perfectly. I wasn’t lying; you’re everything I need and more. I’ll never EVER give you up.”
    I swallow and hug him closer. “Jagger, I have to tell you something…”
    “Willow?” he says in a hard tone. “What have you done?”
    “I didn’t do anything, but if I don’t tell you then I’ll regret it.”
    “Willow…”
    “When I was running before, I ran into someone on the beach.”
    He pulls back and looks down at me, his eyes narrow.
    “Who was it?”
    I close my eyes and mumble, “Your father.”
    He’s up before I can open my eyes, I bolt up after him but he’s already gone. He’s charging down the street so quickly I have to blink my eyes rapidly to keep up with him. He’s tearing down the road, fists clenched.
    “Jagger!” I call, but he doesn’t stop.
    When we reach the complex, he charges in and I have to run to keep up. Bull is walking out of his apartment with a blonde woman, but he quickly lets her go when he sees Jagger.
    “Boss, what’s wrong?”
    Jagger drives his fist into his car window, smas hing it. I scream and rush over; blood pours from his hand. I skid to a halt when he turns and glares at me so angrily it freezes me mid stride.
    “Don’t fuckin’ touch me, none of you touch me.”
    “Jagger, it’s ok,” Bull says.
    “Fuck off Bull; I’ll break your fuckin’ face.”
    Blood is dripping from his hand and I’m worried he’s cut a vein.
    “Jagger, you could have cut a vein.”
    Mary and Maggie come rushing out of the apartment when they hear the commotion.
    “Johnny, honey, what’s happened?” Mary cries.
    “He’s back.”
    “What?”
    “Mick is back.”
    So that’s his name. Maggie’s face pales and Mary swallows.