It took a little bit of her anger away, but not much. “I want you to tell me when your daughter will be free to be a kid again. She’s miserable. She can’t even go out and play. How would you feel?
I rolled my eyes. “Do you think I give a shit about her going out to play right now?” I laughed harshly. “That’s the least of our problems.”
“It’s a problem for her,” she insisted. “I can’t exactly tell her she should consider herself lucky because her junkie mother might get her killed. To her, it’s a big deal.”
“You’re the one who wanted to take care of her. If you can’t keep her interested, that’s not my problem. You should work on that.” I brushed past her, which pissed her off even more.
She huffed and puffed, but it didn’t mean anything. She was hell bent on getting herself into trouble, and I was only trying to make sure she was okay. I never thought I would regret trying to help somebody, but it was just another example of why sticking my neck out was never a good idea.
She was totally wound up, not even making sense anymore. I watched as she ranted with a red face and wide eyes, arms and hands waving.
Finally, she stopped flipping out. “Are you finished?”
Her chest heaved as she breathed. I couldn’t help watching. She looked incredible. So fucking hot. I wanted to take her, but held myself back. The last thing I needed was for her to lose her mind because I touched her.
I talked instead. “I’m so close to finding out what happened to Rae. So close.”
“Really?” Jamie folded her arms. It only pushed her tits together. I took a deep breath, clenching my jaw to get the urge to pass.
“Yeah, really.” I leaned on my desk, breathing deeply. “I might be able to find her today. Okay?”
“How? Where is she?”
“The less you know, the better.”
“That’s crap. I deserve to know. This concerns me, too.”
“Bullshit. I’m not telling you, so stop trying. I’m trying to keep you safe, too, in case you forgot. You don’t wanna be mixed up in this.” I thought about the heroin den. “Those people I saw…you don’t wanna mess with them. You don’t wanna be anywhere around it. You’re better than that. Why don’t you understand I’m just trying to keep you safe?”
“By withholding the truth from me?”
“Be keeping you away from shit you don’t wanna be near. Shit I don’t want you even to know exists. The same thing with Gigi. I don’t want her to know people like that even breathe air. But she does. She shouldn’t. You’re right, she’s a little girl. She should be able to be just a little girl. I’m trying to make this right for her. I can’t have you standing in my face, challenging every fucking thing I do. I can’t get anywhere with you in the way. So you’re either gonna get out of my way, or help me keep her happy until this is over.”
She stayed quiet, which was a miracle. I must’ve said the right thing.
“I’m gonna go take a shower and try to sleep a little. I didn’t get much sleep last night—almost none at all.” I left her standing there and went upstairs. Before I did, I told Jax to give Flash the heads up that I was looking for him. “I’ll be up by three. We have to be at the bus station by four. I want you and a couple others with me. I’ll explain later.”
“Okay,” he said, nodding.
I ruffled Gigi’s hair and went to my room. I only had time to take off my kutte and my t-shirt when there was a knock at the door.
I opened it. Jamie was standing there. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m just really scared right now. I don’t know what to do about any of this. It’s all new to me. I’m taking it out on you.”
I didn’t know what to say. There was nothing to say, anyway. Instead of talking, I took her by the hand and pulled her into the room with me, shutting the door. She came willingly. And when I took her in my arms and kissed her the way I did in the office, she didn’t fight back.
Chapter Fourteen
Jamie
I couldn’t stop him. I didn’t want to stop him. I couldn’t even stop myself from wanting more. He pulled me further into the room, our mouths connected, until we stood next to the bed. Yes. This was happening. Just like I wanted it to.
His mouth moved against mine, his tongue roughly parting my lips. I responded eagerly, kissing him back just as hard until it hurt. All the passion that built up between us flowed through us then, and my heart thudded dangerously hard in my chest as we went on. His hands were all over me, touching me, fondling me, sliding under my clothes, over my clothes. My skin burned at his touch, but I wanted it. I wanted more. I held onto his massive shoulders just to stay on my feet. I felt like I might faint. The blood rushed between my legs, leaving me aching, almost in pain with need. Warmth flooded me, and I groaned.