Angel looks at Ace and then says, “Huck.”
“Huck? Why does he keep coming into this?”
“He was with your dad a lot, and they worked on the case; he’s got the information we need.”
“Okay, so we get Huck on board. What else?” I ask.
We sit discussing our next move when an idea springs to my mind. I never thought of it before because I thought he was dead, but he could be the missing piece in this confusing puzzle.
“Danny,” I say.
All heads turn to stare at me.
“What?” Angel says. “As in the guy Jagger beat, your ex?”
“We need to find him.”
Ace raises his brows. “What? Why?”
“Why? Because Danny’s a fighter. He has access to all the fighting rings.”
Angel rubs his chin. “How will we get him to cooperate? He didn’t exactly like you, Willow. Not to mention Jagger did a number on him.”
“Money,” I say simply. “Danny will do anything for money, it’s why he fights.”
“How do we come up with enough?” Jenny asks.
“Easy.” I shrug. “Jagger left me his accounts. He has enough to offer some to Danny. It could work.”
Ace nods and looks to Angel for confirmation.
“Alright,” Angel says. “I think that could work, our next problem is finding him.”
“I can do that, I know some of his friends.” I say.
“Okay, so what about when we get the information. How do we get into the fights to speak with Jagger?” Jenny says. “One look at any of us and Mick will know.”
“Disguise,” Ava says, as though it’s a no-brainer.
“It’d have to be a damn good disguise,” Bull mutters.
Ava grins. “I’m the master of disguise. I can make Willow look completely different.”
“How will she get in though?” Jenny asks.
“With Danny,” I mutter. “I’ll have to look like I’m with him.”
Angel nods, smiling slightly. “That could actually work. Ava, I want you to show me what you can do with Willow later. I want to see if she’s recognizable.”
“Why are we sending Willow in?” Bull asks. “It’s dangerous.”
Angel stares him right in the eye. “Because she’s the only one who has a chance of getting Jagger to listen.”
Everyone nods and falls silent for a long moment. Ace squeezes my hand, and I look over at him.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks.
“I’d lay my life down for him, Ace.”
“Don’t forget you have a son now, if we think it’s getting too dangerous, we’ll pull you out.”
I nod. “If it gets too dangerous, I’ll pull myself out. For my son’s sake, I have to know when to stop.”
Everyone nods again, and I stand. “I’m starving, so I’m going to get something for lunch. I’ll stop by the store and get more food for us all.”
Before I can say another word, a wad of cash is shoved in my face. All the men have opened their wallets and handed me money.
Angel laughs, when he sees my wide-eyed expression. “We won’t stay without helpin’ out.”
I can’t help the small laugh that escapes my lips. “Thanks.”
I tuck the cash into my pocket and then get a list of everything they might need or want. Then I collect Cody when he wakes and head to the store. All I can think about is our plan the entire time I shop, praying it’ll actually work.
I don’t want to hope, I really don’t, but it’s hard not to.
This could get Jagger back, it could bring him home.
There is one thing that scares me, though.
It has been a long time ... What if he isn’t the same man I remember?
Am I risking it all to bring home a man who is no longer the one I fell in love with?
3
JAGGER
Blood spurts from my mouth as my opponent lands a punch. Mother fucker. That little prick is quick. He’s not big, but he’s speedy. I duck the next punch and drive my own bruised and battered fist into his jaw. I hear the booming crack as he stumbles backward and trips; his head lands on the ground and bounces. Mick stands over him and counts it down. I’m panting, sweat sliding down my forehead, but I don’t move my eyes from the man lying on the ground. One second of looking away and he could be up and on me.
When he doesn’t move, Mick takes my hand and announces me as the winner. Again. I have my suspicions that Mick purposely picks weak opponents to ensure I win every time. Either way, I don’t fucking care. I haven’t cared since the day he got hold of me. The crowd roars and cheers my name, but I don’t give them a second glance as I turn and exit the fighting ring. I slip out back, and Sharleen rushes over. She hands me a wet towel and a bottle of water. I swig the water back and then spit it out onto the floor.