Wild Wind: A Chaos Novella (Chaos #6.6)(77)

She tipped her head back and gave him her gaze.

“I think cocktails are so totally in order,” she announced.

She had tears in her eyes.

He dipped his face closer to hers and whispered, “Baby.”

“Best memories, best memories ever, bar none, Jag, were when we were all together. I had mom moments with her I treasure. I think of them and they hurt at the same time they feel so good. But the birthdays and Christmases and going to Mile High Stadium to see fireworks on the Fourth of July all together, those were the best. Because she was at her happiest, all of us together. I did not lie. She’d hate this. She’d hate it.”

Her nostrils were flaring with the effort it was taking to try to fight the tears, so he cupped the back of her head and pulled her face in his chest.

His phone in his back pocket rang with a call, which was probably a robocall because no one ever phoned him.

He ignored it and held Archie close.

“We’re gonna skip,” Lafayette said quietly, sidling close and taking Joany with him.

“Right, man,” Jagger said. “Nice to meet you.”

Lafayette nodded.

“She needed that,” Joany told him as they passed.

“I know, babe. Go have a drink. Thanks for trying to take her back,” Jagger replied.

Joany patted Archie and she pulled her face out of his chest to give Joany a weak smile as Lafayette and her moved out.

Jagger’s phone had stopped ringing, but he heard Archie’s that was in the kitchen start right up.

She ignored it, and even if Jagger didn’t and he thought that was weird, he had to stay with her because she was turning them to his parents.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

“No need to be, darlin’,” Keely replied gently. “You want us to take off? We can do this another night.”

“No, no, we have tons of food and I’ll rally, I promise,” Archie said.

“How about we make a deal and Hound and me finish up whatever needs done in the kitchen, you and Jag chill out with a drink for a bit, and we’ll reconvene over dinner. You cool with letting me in your kitchen?”

“I couldn’t—” Archie started.

“I love to cook, so does Hound,” Keely assured.

“I love to feed her, and my boys, I don’t actually like to cook,” Hound amended.

Keely sighed, but not with irritation, because she didn’t miss the first part of what he said.

Jagger relaxed because Archie’s lips were turning up.

But Jagger’s turned down because Archie’s phone stopped ringing, and Jagger’s started up again.

That finally got Archie’s attention, and her gaze came to his, her brows drawn.

“Just a sec,” he murmured, pulled it out, and when he saw the screen, quickly took the call. “Hey, Mal, what’s up?” he asked, using Mal’s name so Archie would know who it was.

She no longer looked puzzled, she looked worried.

Mal’s voice came in his ear.

“My grandma died, and I need you.”

Jagger dropped his head, turned from everyone, and gave Mal all of his attention. “Sorry, buddy, what?”

He sounded choked when he said, “Gramma died. Mom’s not good. We need to get to the hospital, and I took her keys because she’s cryin’ so bad, we won’t be safe. I need you to drive us.”

“Okay, bud, I’ll be there. Does Archie know where you live?”

“I think so.”

“Okay, I’ll ask her. Be there as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Jagger.”

“You bet, Mal. Hang tight. Be there soon.”

Mal hung up.

Jagger turned to Archie. “His grandmother died. His mom is in no shape to drive to the hospital. He wants me to take them.”

“I—” she began, her eyes sliding to Keely and Hound.

“You go, we’ll sort out your kitchen,” Keely said immediately. “Do we need a key to lock up?”

“I have an extra,” Archie stated hurriedly, rushing toward the kitchen.

Jag caught Hound’s eyes.

“This one of those kids Dutch told us about?” Hound asked low.

Jag nodded.

“Fuck,” Hound murmured.

Archie rushed back to him with her bag in her hand.

Keely came to her and grabbed the key.

“Okay, let’s go,” Arch said. Her fingers locking around Jagger’s, she pulled him toward the door. “Sorry. So, so sorry. We’ll reschedule.”

“Don’t think about it for a second,” Keely said.

“You be safe out there,” Hound said.

“Yeah, thanks, later,” Jagger called as they walked out.

“How’d he sound?” Archie asked in the hall as they moved swiftly down it.

“Like he was holding it together but was about to lose it.”

“Shit,” she bit out.

And they both broke into a jog when they hit the stairs.





Chapter Seventeen



Every Kind of Love



Jagger



“You cold?”

“Nah.”

“It’s cold out here, bruh.”