Candles were everywhere and there was a small band that was lively and already creating a warm atmosphere. I also noticed a group of video equipment pushed against one wall. The event was going to be videotaped. An instant wave of nausea rolled through me. The thought was far more difficult to shove away than normal.

  “Champagne, city girl?” Jagger asked.

  “Sure.” I could tell the instant he realized something was off, his brow furrowing and as he’d done before, he swept the room. “What are you looking for, Jagger? Do you expect someone to crash the party?”

  “No, of course not. What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “Just a nagging feeling like you obviously have. Why do I have the notion you’re hiding something from me?”

  “Why don’t you relax for tonight,” he suggested.

  “Jagger. Please don’t patronize me. I know you at least well enough at this point to realize you’re doing everything you can to protect me. I think that includes using whatever contacts you have from the past in an effort to destroy Joel. If I’m right, I appreciate the thought, but I need to fight this battle.”

  “I don’t think you understand what you’re up against.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “Meaning your marriage was arranged. Did you know that?”

  I took a step away from him. “I already mentioned that’s what I believed. The way you just said that is like you know it’s true for certain and why. Is that true?” I was right. He’d done some searching. What could he have learned that I didn’t know?

  Whether or not he was going to answer I’d never know, as Denise broke through the crowd of well-wishers, pulling me into a tight embrace. “Thanks for this.”

  “I can’t take any credit. It’s all Poppy’s doing.”

  “I’m surprised you were in on this, but it’s a nice surprise.” Shephard reached out, waiting for Jagger to shake his hand.

  Jagger and I locked eyes. I had a feeling this was going to be a very long night.

  “Come on. This is a party you helped orchestrate. Don’t stand here like wallflowers,” Denise dictated. I could tell she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

  “We better follow her orders, bro,” Shephard piped in. “Thank you.”

  “Sure. Anything for the happy couple.” Jagger grabbed my arm before we were absorbed into the crowd. “Do me a favor. Stay by my side tonight. Don’t go anywhere without me.”

  While I’d been afraid before, the concerns were nothing in comparison to the way I felt at this moment. “Okay. But you need to explain what you meant.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  As we meshed with the partygoers, everyone in town I knew joining in the festivities, I continued to look over my shoulder. The apprehension remained, but slowly over the next half hour, I started to relax.

  Maybe I was a fool, but if I didn’t let go of my past, I’d never have a future here.

  Poppy was suddenly at the podium that had been brought to a small makeshift stage. She clapped her hands first, finally tapping the microphone.

  “Ouch!” someone called from the audience.

  “Well, I had to get your attention somehow. We have the entire night to drink and dance, but now, it’s time for the show.”

  “Oh, no,” Denise hissed. “I don’t think I like where this is going.”

  Although I had an indication of what Poppy had collected, the story of their love affair a sweet touch, I found myself continuing to glance at the door to the auxiliary room. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I was glad Cally was staying with Zoe for a little girl party time.

  Jagger remained closer as everyone crowded closer to a screen that suddenly dropped down from the ceiling.

  “Did you have anything to do with this?” Shephard growled at his brother.

  “Do I look like I’m the kind of guy to be involved with something like this?” Jagger shook his head. “No. Hell, no.”

  I remained where I was, although as soon as the first slide was presented, I was pushed forward. Jagger wasn’t right behind me and my throat instantly closed.

  “Do you want to see how this love affair began?” Poppy continued.

  The guests cheered.

  “Then please roll the video.”

  The lights were lowered, leaving me far more uncomfortable.

  I was only partially paying attention as I pushed my way past a few people, finally locating Jagger talking with Hunter. He noticed I was searching for him, giving me a slight nod. At least he was within sight.

  I took a deep breath and tried to pay attention, but I couldn’t seem to find a way of concentrating. Maybe it was because my head was aching, the dull throb behind my eyes making it difficult to keep a haze from forming over my eyes.

  After grabbing a second glass of champagne, I found a spot where I wouldn’t be noticed. The urge to leave was strong, so much so I was fearful I’d hyperventilate.

  I held my purse close, doing my best to shake off the dread almost consuming me. When my phone buzzed indicating a text, I shivered. Even Zoe didn’t have my number, Jagger providing his instead in case there were any issues. Maybe it was Esme with a surprise. I fumbled to grab my phone, doing everything I could to keep from dropping the glass.

  But the moment I pulled the burner phone from my purse, the light in the room began to fade.

  Unknown: You thought you could run and get away with destroying me. You thought wrong. Get prepared, little bitch, your day of fame is going to be a doozy.

  My hand shaking, I lifted my head, once again searching for Jagger. The entire world seemed to be in slow motion.

  He noticed me, immediately breaking away from Hunter.

  The lights went out, the projector as well, the entire crowd roaring their disapproval.

  And Poppy cursing at the top of her lungs.

  But the moment the projector popped back on, I braced myself for what was to come.

  As my face appeared on the screen, the video Joel had taken in full and very vivid display, I couldn’t move.

  Couldn’t breathe.

  My new life and the love I felt I’d finally found were over.

  Forever.

  Scenes.

  Memories.

  Laughter.

  Shock.

  Every emotion rolled through me, flashes of light providing a horrible haze in front of my eyes. I could hear my name being called. Feeling faint, I tried to push my way through the crowd.

  “Don’t,” Denise said from behind me, grabbing me into a bearhug. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” a growl emitted throughout the room.

  “How is it going to be okay?” Tears stung my eyes, the dirty deed Joel had performed far too low. How could he do this? Why? Was it all about the fact I refused to stay married to him?

  I broke away from her, tearing to the front.

  “We’re not done yet,” the gravelly voiced man shouted again.

  But there was more, the film cut off after only thirty seconds, a deep voice taking over the presentation.

  “The dazzling couple you’ve fallen in love with aren’t the golden boy and girl you believed. And do you want to know why?”

  Was that the sheriff?

  Oh, my God. It was. In his hand was a microphone, the townspeople crowding even closer.

  I shrank back, every inch of my body shaking.

  Jagger broke through the crowd, finding and taking me into his arms. “Stay here.”

  “No. Don’t leave me. What’s he doing?”

  “I don’t know, but I need to find out.”

  Commotion roared as the sheriff continued. “Jagger Fox is a murderer. And do you want to know how I know that? Because he killed my daughter.”

  As pandemonium broke out, the guests going wild, everything remained a blur. The words echoed in my ears, my vision remaining cloudy. Yet one image played into my mind.

  Jagger jumped through the crowd, pushing and shoving, his brothers right beside him.

  And with one brutal punch to the sheriff’s jaw, the man was knocked to the floor.

  CHAPTER 31

  Jagger

  “What the fuck?” Hunter barked out for the fiftieth time.

  I paced the floor, barely looking in his direction. The house I lived in didn’t seem large enough for the five of us and one special damn dog.

  Bella remained curled up on the couch, Xena right beside her. She’d said absolutely nothing since we’d left the police station after the deputy had finally let me go. I’d been arrested for assaulting a police officer, but in my mind, not only would I do it again, I’d break his fucking neck.

  Denise tried to hand me a glass of whiskey, but I refused to take it. Undaunted, she lifted my arm, forcing me to accept the gesture. “You need this and you need to calm down.”

  “How the hell am I supposed to calm down when that bastard tried to destroy my life and Bella’s as well?”

  “And you allowed that son of a bitch to get to you. What he did was as close to extortion as I’ve seen, but you assaulted him in front of a hundred witnesses. You could get jail time.” Shephard’s wise words went in one ear and out the other.

  “So the fuck what?” I challenged.

  “That bastard deserved what he got,” Hunter added. “I’m curious if there’s anything going on in Baltimore right now. Maybe we’re missing another motive.” He reached into the duffle he’d brought into the house, yanking out his iPad.

  “What the hell difference can it make?” I bellowed at him. I knew he was only trying to help, but my mood was all about revenge.

  “The three of you need to calm down. Hunter is right. The more information we have the better. You all know that. Joel is using what he can to try and keep his reputation alive. If there is any truth to some marriage arrangement, it could be tied to a big business deal including a criminal one.”

  I nodded. “True.” I’d yet to mention my source and had no intention of it. In my mind, I couldn’t help but allow my instinct to take over. I had a distinct feeling whatever the man had done to destroy Joel and his family had already begun. That would be the reason for the release of the video. Why not ruin the happy couple?

  “We need to think this through. How did the sheriff gain access to that video? Wasn’t it still a private matter with Bella and this Joel Brockford dude?”

  “Yes, but the sheriff has been nosing around, threatening both of us,” I told them.

  Shephard hissed. “And you didn’t fucking tell us? That’s police harassment. The judge won’t like that in the least.”

  “You damn well know the judges in this area are partial to law enforcement.”

  “Not always,” Denise piped in. “They’ve learned a few lessons. It’s who Sheriff Young knows in the rest of the state, including Richmond. Or beyond. Baltimore isn’t that far away. Didn’t you say the Brockfords have a long sordid history with various criminal activity?”

  “Not proven, but yes.” I shifted my attention to Bella, my heart aching.

  “Well, we can’t put anything past Joel at this point I guess.”

  I’d been forced to relay the story. There’d been no other choice since it had been made public. Bella hadn’t objected, but she hadn’t said anything either. That’s why I was surprised when she rose from the couch, her arms folded as she headed in our direction. She was still in the same emerald green dress she’d purchased for the event, her long hair framing a haunted face yet her eyes remained bright.

  At that moment, I thought she was the most beautiful woman alive, even in sadness.

  “Joel sent me a text on the new burner phone seconds before the sheriff attempted to destroy us. I think with the sheriff obviously asking questions, trying to find out who I was so I could be used against Jagger, the two had a conversation, Joel releasing the video to him.”

  “I think she’s onto something,” Hunter said as he moved closer. “Take a look at a piece on the front page of the largest newspaper in Baltimore.”

  He handed me his iPad first. The headline said it all.

  Is the Brockford Empire Funded by Criminal Activity?

  I didn’t even need to read the article to know the truth had started coming light. Where my source would take it from there, I wasn’t certain. But we would find out soon enough.

  Bella took a deep breath. “Who is Joel Brockford really?”

  There were too many details about her life that she needed to fully comprehend, but I was hesitant to add to the night’s horrible experience. Just seeing the look on the locals’ faces had torn her apart.

  I was angry with them too for not rallying around us.

  People loved a loser more than they did a winner. I’d learned that the hard way.

  “A very bad man with even worse intentions,” Denise answered for me. “With both your blessings, I’m going to do some investigation of my own. I have buddies that will provide me with every ugly scrap of information about suspicions involving that family. Maybe they’ve yet to be proven, but it’s obvious someone else is out to get them.”

  I glanced at Bella and she nodded. “Fine. Go for it.” She’d never find out anything about my source or that I was behind the method of destruction. Not that I gave a damn right now.

  Bella crowded closer, Xena suddenly realizing her new mommy dog wasn’t right by her side. As she rushed over to Bella, I could tell the woman I adored softened. Enough she leaned into me.

  “Now, what about the goddamn elephant in the room, bro?” Shephard pushed. “Why the hell does Sheriff Young think you killed his daughter?”

  “Because I did.” The words hung in the air and both brothers looked at each other.

  “How? Line of duty?” Hunter asked. There was no animosity in his voice, only disbelief.

  “She was captured off the base because of me,” I told them and it was difficult to change positions so I could look in Bella’s eyes. However, her breathing was no more labored than before.

  “How is that your fault?” Hunter pressed.

  “Because I went against orders. I knew the area surrounding us was considered dangerous, but we hadn’t seen any insurgents in almost a week. We’d just gotten engaged and I didn’t have a ring. I knew a guy in the small town near our camp I’d talked to dozens of times. He had a beautiful diamond that had been in his family for years. He was willing to sell it to me because the war had nearly destroyed every possession. I made a mistake. We were captured together. I had intel and the bastards wanted it.”

  “And you couldn’t give it to them,” Shephard stated. It wasn’t a question. Both my brothers knew the score. We’d given our oath to the military.

  “No. If I had, the entire operation that eventually led to their defeat would have led to the destruction of our base. I couldn’t allow that to happen. Sheila knew that. She was an army nurse and well aware of the danger.”

  Bella placed her hand on my arm, squeezing in solidarity.

  The sudden silence in the room brought yet another ache to my system.

  “They tortured both of you and forced you to watch her die.” Hunter gave me a respectful nod.

  I hung my head, struggling with the knowledge that her last dying breath had been when in my arms. “Yeah.”

  “You’re not to blame,” Bella told me.

  “Not the way I see it or her father.”

  Shephard looked at me, shaking his head. “Did you know Sheriff Young was her dad?”

  “Not before I moved here. But Pops told me as soon as I arrived. That’s why I almost left, but you can’t run from your past.”

  “No, you can’t,” Hunter admitted. “All three of us have tried.”

  This had occurred so many times when we’d been kids, we needed no words to provide understanding. Our lives had been shaped by countless decisions that hadn’t been our own. Were we to blame for any of them?

  “No one will blame you for Sheila’s death other than her father. Losing someone is tough for anyone.” Denise offered a kind smile.

  “Yeah, well, that doesn’t give him the right to do what he did,” Hunter snapped.

  Shephard put his hand out. “We’re a family. We’ll work through this together.”

  A family. I’d done my best over the years to try to forget everyone from my past, including Sheila. But it wasn’t about hating where I’d come from or disliking my heritage. I was proud to have been born into a family who respected honor and integrity.

  Even if our father had crossed more than one morally gray line.

  However, subjecting Bella and Cally to my mistakes was unforgiveable.

  And always would be.

  Maybe it really was best to let her go.

  The buzz on my phone was the distraction I needed. I headed outside onto the front porch before answering.

  “Silencer.”

  “It’s done. Confirmation on the woman’s father.”

  “His name?”

  My source sighed. “That’s breaking protocol.”

  “I don’t give a shit. This is important to me personally.”

  “Michelangelo Ross. And Silencer? I hope she’s worth it.”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  I closed my eyes.

  There was no mistaking the name or how powerful Mr. Ross had become. He was more influential and dangerous than any mafia organization or cartel. That’s because he was considered the head of a First Family, his ancestors arriving centuries before. Not only did his corporation own almost two dozen hospitals throughout the United States, they also owned dozens of other businesses, including pharmaceutical companies and laboratories. In other words, his family could control diseases as well as cures throughout the world if so inspired.

  The Brockfords wanted a piece of the pie and would stop at nothing to get it.

  Including Joel marrying Ross’ illegitimate daughter.

  What if her father came looking for her? Maybe he hadn’t been alerted. It was likely he had no clue he had a daughter, which added to the sense of urgency. Maybe the man should be alerted. If what I suspected was correct, the Brockfords were planning on using the marriage to either get close to the man or challenge his power in their way.