Dark Destiny (Dark Brothers Book #4) (18 page)

We’ll see.

At least he knows.

That’s a start.

~*~*~*~*

WILLOW

“Do you think he’s going to like this?”

Ace grins at me, his smile wide and beautiful.  “I think he's gonna love it, kid.”

“I don't know,” I hesitate. “What if he thinks it's too much?  What if he gets offended? I don't want him to get offended, Ace, I just want him to understand and see this as a beautiful thing that might help him continue on his path to recovery.”

Ace crosses his arms, giving me a confused expression. “Kid, you really need to put more faith in your husband. I really don't think this is going to be a problem.  It's giving him something to work for, something to fight for.  I think that's an amazing thing to have.”

“I know, but what if it brings up the past?”  I say, still a little confused and scared. “What if it brings up all those bad memories for him? He’s just getting better.”

Ace grips my shoulders. “Willow, I think you're worrying too much. I think this is the perfect thing for him.  You need to trust us on this one, girl. You need to understand that this is the right thing, I really think you'll be surprised.”

I sigh, rubbing my fingers over my arms.  “I'm so worried that he will take it the wrong way. We’ve come so far, we've made so much progress, what if it's the one thing that puts him back where he was?”

Ace steps forward, putting his hands on my shoulders and giving me a little shake, “Willow, you need to calm down.  This is the right thing, I promise you, I promise this is how it's meant to go. You need to trust me, you need to trust us, we’ve known Jagger a long time and I honestly wouldn’t do this if it wasn't the right thing.”

I nod, giving him a half smile. “I trust you, Ace. You know I do, I trust the boys, and you know that I will go through with this, but you can't blame me for being apprehensive.”

“I can’t, because I know what you've been through. Fuck, I saw what you went through.  I know why you worry, but I would never do something that would let you down.”

I nod, giving him my final reassuring look. I hope to god he's right.  I really do.  I don't know how this is going to go, it’s something we've been planning for the last week. It’s something we've been putting together, in hopes that Jagger might find something to get him through the last of his problems. It’s fighting ring. We had it set up for Jagger to run for abused children, to give them a place to go, to learn to defend themselves, or to just get away. 

So many of them come from abusive homes, most are beaten by family members or friends, and have no way to defend themselves.  I have all faith that my husband has what it takes to be able to save and help these children. Even if at first, he might not see it. It will give him something to focus on, something to help him to move forward with his life.  I only hope that fighting doesn't bring back bad memories for him. I don't want him to be reminded of Mick, or feel like he’s suffocating again.

“Yo, Willow, it’s ready,” Rusty says, running towards me. “Is the boss here yet?”

I shake my head. “He's not here yet.  I think he’s late.  I will bring him in when he arrives.”

“All right, see you in there!”

The guys all head into the large warehouse, that’s been fitted out with top of the line fighting equipment. It’s also set up as a shelter, with a room that contains beds and a bathroom, for those who need to get away or escape. They’ll all be able to contact Jagger, and he’ll have their backs if need be. It’s not a gang, but it’s giving him a chance to still live on the edge, and that’s something he needs. I hear gravel crunching, and turn to see Jagger’s truck pulling up. When he leaps out and walks over, I give him a wobbly smile.

“Baby,” he murmurs. “What’s going on? I thought something was wrong after the text message that you sent me.” He looks around at the massive warehouse. “What is this place? Tell me what’s goin’ down?”

I take his hand, “Just trust me, honey. I've got this all figured out, just come inside.  I've got a surprise for you.”

He tilts his head and stares at me. “What surprise? Is it a good surprise?”

I giggle nervously. “Well, you will either hate or love me for it. God, I hope you love me for it.”

“The fuck is goin’ on, Willow?”

“Just trust me.”

I lead him towards the warehouse, he lifts his eyes and stares at the massive structure. When we step inside, he freezes as his eyes take in all the fighting equipment. I squeeze his hand.

“What. The. Fuck.”

I know what he's thinking, he can see the fighting ring, he can see the guys, he can see a bunch of young people ranging from the age of eight to the age of eighteen.  Some of them have had terrible lives.  Others are just beginning the terrible in their lives, all of them though, are on the same boat.”

Jagger’s still stiff, his body rigid, his eyes scanning the room. Oh god, I think this is the wrong move.  We've made the wrong decision.  I grip his hand, stroking my fingers over the back of it. “Jagger listen to me.  I know what you’re thinking right now, but let me explain…”

He cuts me off with a growl and turns to me. “What, is, this?”

I swallow and continue. “Before you get mad, it's not what you think.”

“What is it then?” he growls.

“It's a fighting ring, boss,” Ace says coming up behind me.  “It's a fighting ring for you to be able to share your experience with these kids, to help them, to teach them, to give them a place to go when they have nowhere else. We did this for you, because you’ve given us everything you have to give, it was our turn to return that. I know you felt powerless on that island, I know that you struggled because you couldn’t make a difference. Now, you can. These kids have nothing. Most are from abused homes. They don’t know how to defend themselves, they don’t have anywhere to run when they’re afraid. That’s what this is here for. You can fight, boss. You’re the best fighter I know. You can teach them. You can be their role model. You can be the place they run when they’re all out of options.”

Jagger eyes glisten over, I watch them go from red to white and I know he's emotional. I know it hits him hard, I know what he must be thinking. He must be thinking that how could we have come up with this without him knowing? He must be thinking that he's not the right person for this; the emotions on his face tell me he's confused.  He's torn, he doesn't know if he's capable of being what these kids need.

As if hearing my thoughts, and Jagger’s, a young, gangly boy walks over, his hair is a mass of blond curls and his eyes are as blue as the sky. He’s only about ten years old. He stops in front of Jagger, looking up at him, his eyes wide and in awe. He reaches out, offering Jagger his hand, I watch Jagger stiffen, but a second later his body softens towards the young boy, and he takes his hand. I know what
he's feeling right now.  He can see the pain in his boys eyes.  He knows this boy has had a hard life.  He knows that when he steps into this, that he's going have to deal with that.

“My name is Jonathan,” the boy begins. “I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity.  I don't have anything, I don't get to go to school, I don't get to have friends, I have nothing. You, giving me this, I can learn how to fight. I can learn to make my daddy not hit me anymore.  All I want is a chance.”

I smile down at Jonathan. Okay, we may have told him to say something along those lines. The fact is though, that it is the truth. Jonathan really doesn’t have anything. He has no friends. He has no life. His father beats him. Jagger is a ray of sunshine, a hero, something to believe in. These kids need him. Jagger makes a rasping sound, and turns to face me. He grips my face, his blue eyes searching my expression.

“You all did this for me?”  he asks.

“We did, Jagger. This is our gift to you, for everything you have ever done for us.  I believe in you, baby.  I believe in this.  I know that you have it in you.  You can change these kids’ lives.”

“What if I fail them?” he whispers in a voice so small I can barely hear it.

I grip his face, forcing him to keep his eyes on me. “This is everything you are.  I know that you've had a bad experience with fighting, I know that you probably don't condone fighting, but the point of the matter is that you are good at it and they need that. They need a role model, they need to be able rely on somebody, they need to trust, they need to understand, they need to have somewhere to run.  They need an escape, and you, Jagger, are their escape.  I believe in you.  I'm know you can do this.  You might not have been able to help the girls on the island, but you can help these guys.”

I run my fingers over his jaw, and a lone tear slides down his cheek. I lean forward, pressing my lips to his, breathing him in, creating a memory from this moment.

“I don't know what to say,” he rasps.

“Don't say anything,” I smile.  “Just do, honey.”

Jagger turns to the group, all of them are watching him with smiles on their faces.  He walks over, gripping them all one by one and pulling them into his arms.  I watch with a smile as they hold each other, gripping and pulling, showing their bond. When the hugging is finished, Jagger turns to the group of boys.  His face is strong, determined, powerful, and yet there's a hint of comfort in there, just enough to give them hope.  He walks over, stopping in front of them and when he speaks his words are firm and clear, but most of all, trusting

“You boys ready to learn how to fight?”

Most cry out yes, some of them stick their heads down, not quite ready to express themselves. One of the boys stands out, because he gives no reaction. He’s a tall boy, with long, dark hair and a gothic look.  He looks to be about seventeen. Jagger walks over, stopping in front of him.  He stretches out his large hand and the young boy looks up, his eyes weary as he reaches across, taking Jagger's hand.  Jagger whispers something, something I can't hear but the boy’s face changes. He gets a look of determination on his face, that brings joy to my heart.

This is where Jagger is meant to be.

It’s his place in the world.

It’s him.

CHAPTER 12

ONE MONTH LATER - WILLOW

“Baby,” Jagger murmurs, thrusting deep inside me.

I grip his back, running my nails down the taut skin as I shiver, my body coming down from a heated orgasm. His body is convulsing with his own, his skin is slick with sweat, his muscles are rippling. He looks perfect. Just, fucking, perfect. He slides his lips over mine, swiping a piece of damp hair from my eyes as he lowers me off his hips. We’re in his office at the fighting ring. He spends all his time here now, when he’s not teaching the boys, he’s running fighting classes for normal people. He quit his job, and now spends his days here.

He’s amazing at what he does. The boys completely appreciate and respect him. They thrive on his advice and all of them have come forward in leaps and bounds. Some have gained confidence, others simply feel safer. That’s a lot for them. It’s something to hold onto. Jagger gives them hope, he gives them a reason to keep fighting. He’s not just their reason to keep fighting, he’s mine. Each day I see him growing stronger and stronger, each day he finds a little piece of himself and puts it back in place. Things are as perfect as they possibly can be, and I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for every single day I get by his side.

“Love you,” I whisper.

He carries me over to his desk and places my backside down on the cool stone.

“Love you back, Willow baby.”

“Office sex, it rocks.”

He grins at me and pulls up his jeans. “Lunchtime, office sex, with my wife, rocks.”

I giggle. Each day I bring Jagger lunch and the kids and I spend a few hours here. Each day, we get it on in his office. It’s hot, it’s powerful and heck, it keeps things alive. Jagger walks around the desk, pressing himself between my legs. He tangles a hand in my hair and leans forward, kissing me deeply, letting our tongues tangle together. When he pulls away, I grip his shirt, pulling him back for more. With a chuckle, he complies.

“Darlin’, you know I’d love to fuck you all day, but I’ve got a class in ten minutes.”

“Fun spoiler,” I murmur against his mouth.

“Hang around, I’ll nail you in between, don’t you doubt it.”

I giggle again. “Did you just say you’ll nail me?”

He grins, pressing a kiss to my head. “I did.”

“Well, I might just hang around and let you nail me.”

He laughs and steps back, taking hold of his boxing gloves.

“Boxing today?” I say, slipping off the desk and adjusting myself before following him out.

“Yeah, the kids love it.”

“Yo boss!” Ace calls, laughing as Jonathan beats his ass with a bat. “This one has anger problems.”

Jagger laughs. “Jonathan, what did I say about the ass? Hit him in the knee caps!”

Jonathan laughs and goes to swing the bat at Ace’s knee caps, but he’s too quick. Ace scoops him up, throwing him over his shoulder and swinging him around. Jonathan squeals. He’s taken to Ace, he’s got one of the hardest lives out
of all the kids, and yet he’s the easiest to work with. He spends most of his time here, and often helps Jagger with his normal classes.