Chapter 4
Devil’s Dance
For the next two days, I doze in and out of sleep. Sometimes I feel like I’m getting better, and other times it’s like someone has taken a jackhammer to my head. Jagger is around constantly, and Cruz and Asher come and go, whispering to me of how they’ll take care of me and how I’m safe with them.
Things between us are strained. They look at me like they think I’m going to bolt again, and I can’t quite trust them, even though I do believe they’re trying to keep me alive, and there is no way they will send me back to my family.
I just know who they are, brutal bikers who shouldn’t give two shits about me.
My own family doesn’t, so why would they?
I’m nothing special. It really doesn’t make any sense, and that has me suspicious.
The shower I just had has made me feel slightly human again.
But when I look at the reflection staring back at me, it’s not pretty.
The whole left side of my face is bruised, and a thick white bandage is wrapped around my temple.
I don’t even want to know what it looks like under there.
I know they had to shave some of my hair off so they could operate. I’m sure it’s horrendous.
A blur of voices comes from the room, and I move to the door so I can make out who it is.
“Reef can’t hold her off for much longer, Jagger.
He’s trying, but his hands are tied when it comes to the new commissioner.
We need to get Daisy out of this place and to somewhere less obvious before she barges in,” comes Sloane’s voice.
She’s been here every day to see me and bring sweet treats.
She fills me in on the gossip around the club.
It’s a nice distraction. But today she sounds pissed.
“You think I don’t know that? Ricky won’t let me move her until her condition improves,” Jagger practically yells.
“Olivia was waiting for me at the club this morning before we opened, demanding to see my books, checking over video surveillance for any signs of Daisy. She’s got it in for her, and we both know this is on you.
Fucking fix it. I won’t have Daisy become a victim of Commissioner Sedgwick’s warpath on us. ”
“She’s your aunt. Surely she’ll listen to you.”
I flinch when I hear that part. I hate knowing that bitch and Sloane are related.
“What did you do to her?” Sloane snaps.
“I’ll take care of it,” Jagger growls back.
“You’d fucking better.”
“It’s handled, alright. Get off my case. I have enough to worry about.”
I push open the door, not wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation anymore.
It’s not helping my anxiety. I feel more trapped by the day, wanting so desperately to run from all of this, but I can’t.
I’m not well enough to walk fast, let alone run from a gang of bikers, the police, and the mafia.
I need time to heal and find someplace safe so I can come up with a plan.
“Daisy.” Sloane comes rushing toward me when she sees me, stopping before she throws her arms around me.
Instead, she takes my hand, looking over me like she might break me if she were to hug me.
She gives my hand a squeeze. “How are you today?” She hands me a little white box.
“They had the chocolate mousse cake I know you like so much today.”
I force a smile. The sight of her has tears welling in my eyes. “Thank you, can’t wait to dig in.”
“You’re looking better every day. I’m sure you’ll be able to come home soon. Paige is dying to see you and go over some revisions she has for your audition routine.”
My head dips. “I can’t do the audition. Ricky says I won’t be well enough. I’m so sorry you went to all that trouble for me.”
She glances over her shoulder to Jagger. He nods, agreeing with me. Her gaze drifts back, pushing a smile onto her peachy lips. “Don’t worry about all that right now. You just need to focus all your attention on getting better.”
I collapse against my bed. “What’s the point? My life is over.” My shoulders drop, feeling like the world is perched on top of them, and I can’t hold it up anymore. I’ve tried to be okay for way too long, but I’m not.
She sits beside me, her presence a comforting warmth as her sweet perfume wafts over me.
She taps my leg, as close as Sloane will ever get to offering a hug.
“I know things feel hopeless right now, but you have lots to live for. You have us all supporting you, and you will have a promising future in dance. It might just have to wait till the next round of auditions, if that’s what Ricky is saying. ”
The tears I’ve been holding back melt down my cheeks. We didn’t get into anything serious on the last couple of visits. I wasn’t ready to talk, but today, I can’t hold it together anymore. “Dante is in with them,” I cry.
“It would appear that way. I’m sorry, sis.” She gives my leg a squeeze.
“I can’t believe it. My whole life I thought he was my protective big brother, but he’s sided with my papa and his business associate.”
She shakes her head. “I’m as surprised as you are.”
“We need to watch this,” Jagger calls to us as he turns on the television. He’s been quiet until now, letting us talk quietly while he texted on his phone.
The volume of the television clicks up, and both Sloane and I direct our gaze toward it.
A pretty blonde female presenter in a tight pink blouse and pencil skirt stands at the front of the women’s health center we are currently cooped up in. My heart races, instantly knowing that whatever this is, I’m not going to like it.
“I’m here with the brother of missing person Margherita Moretti, also known as Daisy to her friends and family.
” A photo of me from my wedding day to Valentine is flashed up on the screen, and I cringe.
“Authorities believe Daisy was found after a terrible accident and is now recovering inside the new women’s health clinic.
From what we’ve been told, she may be suffering from a head injury and not even know who she is. ” She holds a microphone to my brother.
“Please, Daisy, if you see this, get in contact with us. We’re all so worried about you. We just want you home safe and sound,” my brother says, looking genuinely sad.
Anger boils within my veins, and my fists clench at my sides. It’s all an act. I can see it now so damn clearly.
“Fucking Alex,” Sloane mutters under her breath as she glares at the screen, arms crossed over her chest.
Jagger is right in front of me, his eyes locked on mine as if he wants to take away all my pain. “We can fix this.”
I stare back up at him. “Kill me.”
His eyes go wide. “What the fuck?”
“Y-you said you know people,” I stutter out, trying to get my mouth to catch up with my racing thoughts.
“Like your brother Mal. Get him to make it look like I’m dead.
Like this accident killed me.” I glance over at Sloane.
She looks less confused than her brother, and it gives me the strength to go on.
“Fake my death and then get me the hell out of this place. Please, Jagger, if you care about me at all, you will do this for me.” My words tremble out, but not with fear anymore; it’s determination and sheer anger.
The terrible pain I’ve had lodged in my chest for days has now morphed into bitter hatred for my family.
They failed me, and I’m not sitting idly by waiting for them to drag me back home.
It’s time to be smarter than they are. My papa’s words from that damn recording come back to me.
He thinks I’m just a stupid girl. Well, he’s wrong!
I know I’m more than that. I outsmarted them and got away in the first place, and I can keep this up.
“Fuck.” Jagger runs a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends.
“She’s right, you know. She needs to disappear off the face of the earth,” Sloane agrees with me. There’s a wicked gleam now in her eyes as well.
“I know she’s fucking right. You think I haven’t thought over every possible scenario to keep her safe from these motherfuckers?
But it’s not that simple.” His attention turns to me, his eyes narrowing.
“You really want to give up who you are, who you grew up as? Don’t you want to fight them and fucking win?
” I see how serious he is, the deep lines of stress in his forehead.
“I’m too weak to fight right now, Jagger.
” I reach for him, my hand brushing his forearm.
He flinches away almost on instinct. Then, as if catching himself, he looks me over, a sadness coming over him.
He reaches for me, his hand intertwining with mine.
“I trust you, Cruz, and Asher to keep me safe. Please, just get me out of here and make it look like I’m dead so there is no one for my family to keep searching for. ”
He brushes my hair over my shoulder then bends to kiss me on the forehead.
It’s a sweet gesture from him, out of character but everything I need right now to know he has my back.
“Right. If we do this, we do it my way.” His eyes lock with mine as he takes my hands in his.
“You follow my rules. No fighting and no fucking running. Do you understand?”
I nod. This is the Jagger I know, and I’m not even surprised by his bossy tone. “Thank you,” I whisper, knowing he’ll look after me. I might not fully trust him, but I do know he wants to keep me safe, and for now, that’s all I have.
He releases my hands. “I hope you know what you’re signing up for Daisy. There’s no backing out of this.” He marches out the door, phone in his hand and a look of determination on his gorgeous face.
His words leave a strange flutter going through me. I know there’s no backing out of this, it’s kind of the idea. But the way he said it makes me feel like I’m going to owe him something, and that’s scary.
Sloane grins at me. “You know he wouldn’t do shit like this for just anyone.”
I sigh heavily, trying not to let my thoughts derail.
He’s helping me, that’s all that matters.
“I know it’s a lot to ask, especially when things are so strained between us, but what else can I do?
I’m not going back to Italy. His cop friend wants to question me about Valentine and then ship me off back home.
My brother is trying to manipulate me and pretend he’s on my side when he’s clearly working for my papa. Also, what did you mean fucking Alex?”
She rolls her eyes. “Alex might be my best friend’s hubby, but the man is infuriating in so many ways. He runs Moretti Media in the States and would have approved that story.”
I raise an eyebrow. “He would have been doing what he was told by my papa, I’m sure.
He has a lot of pull in the media world.
I’m surprised they didn’t try a stunt like this earlier.
I know I must seem like a coward to you, wanting to hide away from the world.
But I need time to heal, time to work out my next move.
I’m not letting my family rule my life anymore.
When I’m strong, I will come back fighting like Jagger wants me to. ”
“I don’t think you’re a coward. Your idea is brilliant and will buy you the time you need.”
“I’m sorry I can’t work. I feel like I’m letting you down.”
She looks at me, her brow furrowing, then a smile twists onto her lips. “You’re not letting anyone down. You want some work?”
“Umm, I can’t do anything other than dance, and right now I’m too dizzy to walk straight.” I point to the bandage on my head.
She smirks, her eyes lighting up. “I’m so behind on getting the new club up and running.
Romeo and I had it sorted before, well, before shit went down, and we haven’t quite recovered yet.
I have some jobs you can do from a remote location.
Stuff you can help me with so we can set an opening night and finally launch our new business. You up for it?”
The first genuine smile in days curls onto my lips. “Anything you need.”
She grins back at me. “Perfect. You’re going to need a project to work on while you’re locked up with my brothers anyway. This will keep you sane.” She laughs light-heartedly.
“I’m not going to be locked up with your brothers.” But even as I say it, I know that’s exactly what is about to happen.
“You just asked Jagger to save you. Something about trusting him, Cruz, and Asher. I’m pretty sure if I know my brother like I think I do, he heard safe house with the four of you locked up there together for the foreseeable future.”
“Ha.” I laugh but then realize she’s right.
I literally just gave Jagger permission to do what the three of them have wanted all along.
Lock me up so they can have me to themselves.
Oh shit! Maybe I’m not as smart as I thought, because living in close proximity with them is only going to cause more problems.