doesn’t mean he doesn’t.”
I can’t argue with that, so I press my lips together.
“You’ll do it? For me?” Ace offers me a weak smile. “So I can help Cole get out of whatever mess he’s in?”
I know I should say no... I know I should stop myself from getting any deeper with the Jagger brothers.
But of course, I say yes.
Chapter Twenty
Cole
“Cole, it’s so good to see you,” Donny drawls, but before I get to say anything, or even look up, one of his goons steps toward me, driving his fist into my stomach.
“Aw fuck,” I grunt, the force of the hit stealing the air from my lungs and bringing me to my knees. “Fuck you,” I spit when I come to my senses. The only reason I’m here is because he threatened my family once again.
“That’s no way to greet your boss now, is it?”
“You’re not my boss.” I fight to get back to my feet, but Donny isn’t having any of it.
Hands wrap around both of my upper arms and I’m hauled up and none too gently thrown onto the seat in front of his desk.
“No, you’re right. I’m not your boss. It’s worse than that. I own you, boy.”
“I did what you wanted,” I spit. “We’re done.”
“You see, that’s where you’re wrong. You seem to think life is that simple. Well, how about I teach you a little lesson.” One of his goons steps up to me once again on Donny’s demand and backhands me across the head.
“You are mine, Cole Jagger. You got yourself into this to save your brother. Getting out isn’t going to be as simple.”
My eyes hold his dark, hard ones. Dread sits heavy in my stomach and I hate myself for ever thinking that I could do one job for this asshole and we would all be free. I might have rescued Ace from his dirty clutches, but it seems that in the process, all I’ve managed to achieve is to condemn myself.
“I need you to drop this off,” he says, dumping an ominous black bag on the desk in front of me. “Here.” He slides a piece of paper across the dark wood.
“A drop?” A bitter laugh falls from my lips. “All this for a fucking drop? You’ve got plenty of boys out there capable of doing this. Why did you need to drag me all the way from the Bay?”
His lips purse and his teeth grind. I know I shouldn’t poke the bear, but I can’t help it. This shit is ridiculous.
I could still be at the arcade with Hadley right now. My thoughts make my breathing falter.
I might have won that bet against Conner, but it’s clear to see who the fucking loser is here. He’s probably having the time of his life with her right now.
My fists curl in my lap as images of him touching her, kissing her fill my mind. Motherfucker.
“You needed a reminder of where your loyalties lie, boy. It’s not with your brothers, and it’s certainly not with the girl.”
A growl rumbles up my throat. The thought of him even knowing that Hadley exists turns my stomach.
“Leave them out of this.”
“All you’ve got to do is what you’re told. It’s really not that hard.”
My eyes narrow on him. The words I desperately want to say to him are right on the tip of my tongue, but I know it’s pointless. It’ll only end up getting me killed, and then what? He’ll go after Conner? Like fuck will I allow that to happen. He’s not like Ace and me; he couldn’t handle this shit.
“Fine,” I spit.
“Good boy.” The patronizing tone of his voice has fury swelling in my stomach. My fists clench once more as I stand. “Now, what do you do when I call?”