Chapter 3 - Jagger Bolton

Jagger POV

“Stalking people is a fucking crime,” I shout when I read the newspaper. People have lost their fucking minds, and I can’t help but laugh at the stupidity that just came out of my mouth. Yes, it’s a fucking crime, but it’s not a crime like the ones I commit. Being bound to the law sometimes makes things even more exciting for me. Knowing I am getting away with literal murder is thrilling.

“Jagger, you have Cornelius on the line for you,” Janet says through the intercom that connects my office to her desk.

“Thanks, tell the prick I am busy,” I let out through my greeted teeth as I press the intercom button.

“He’s insisting, and if you don’t answer, he is coming over,” Janet replies, and I can’t help but let out a frustrated breath as I lean back on my chair, closing my eyes before I grab the phone with my right hand and bring it to my ear.

“Cornelius, I am busy,” I let out as soon as I answered the miserable bastard’s call.

“Good morning to you, too,” he replies sarcastically, and I close my hands into fists. I hate when people try to make themselves look and sound more important than they really are.

“Not in the mood Cornelius,” I let out. I can almost hear his eyes rolling to the back of his head. It’s a typical move for him. He usually shifts from one foot to the other when uncomfortable. I can read the fucker like a fucking book.

“This is just a courtesy call,” he says, and I swear if he was in front of me, I would love to shove my fist through his face. The bastard has the ability to make me lose my mind.

“Speak then,” I let out, and he clears his throat on the other side of the line. I know Cornelius has been trying to find something on me to take me down. The guy wants me out of his way but what is life without a little competition? I have thought several times about ending his life, but if I do it, people will look into me first.

Our rivalry is known nationwide, and I don’t want people meddling in my business after he disappears. I can’t have him killed in a dodgy way. It would look too suspicious.

“It seems like we will be seeing a lot more of each other,” he says, and I shake my head and close my eyes, trying to push away all the things I would love to do to him, beginning with ripping his fingernails off….

“What do you mean?” I ask, not liking where this conversation is going. His laughter makes my skin crawl.

“I will be assisting Donna in the case against your client,” Cornelius says, and I slam my hand against my wooden desk, standing up.

“No, there’s a fucking conflict of interest there,” I shout through the line, and he laughs hard. I guess he finally got under my skin, and I am allowing him to see. I couldn’t care less about him helping Donna, I just don’t want him near the girl. He is a playboy and… shit…

“Not anymore. I just wanted you to know, and obviously, I wanted to be the one to tell you that I will be seeing you a lot,” he says before he ends the call. I move my hand on my desk swiping everything and sending all the contents that were previously resting on the desk flying in different directions.

“What was that? Is everything okay? Oh my God,” Janet says as she enters the room. Her hand is still on the door nob as she looks at me wide-eyed.

“What did he want?” Janet asks as I pace around the room, my hands moving from my hair to my pockets quickly. I shake my head, trying to push away the past memories I have with the guy.

“I am going to be facing him in court later next week,” I let out, and Janet’s eyes widen. Janet is a good friend, and she knows how much we hate each other. Cornelius is a weasel, and he always finds a way of interfering with people’s business.

“Okay, you need to sort it out; you can’t let him get to you like that; it’s been what? Ten years?” Janet says, and I shake my head.

“Twelve,” I let out and she nods as her eyes meet mine. I know she is itching to hug me, but right now, I just need her to leave me alone so I can sort myself out.

“I need to be alone,” I say as I walk to my chair, removing my jacket and placing it on the back of the chair. Janet nods, walking away as I press the button on my desk that makes the punching bag fall. I open my shirt ripping it off as I throw several punches in the air as a warm-up. Every time I speak or see Cornelius, my past comes crashing down on me. The memories of my past reappear, and I wish I was dead so I wouldn’t have to deal with the emotions ripping through me.

As soon as my hands collide with the bag, I feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I wish it was Cornelius in front of me and not a punching bag. I know this is not really appropriate, but I have a stressful job and a need to kill, so this way, I can release my anger in a healthy way.

I can feel the stinging on my hands as my skin rips while I punch the bag. Not my smartest move, I know. It doesn’t look very well for a lawyer to have their knuckles bloodied and cut. But it was either my knuckles or Cornelius's face.

Several minutes later, I feel the sweat dripping down my body. I take deep breaths, trying to calm down my speedy heart. I look out of the window, closing my eyes for a few seconds. My mind is finally clear, and I can now focus on the job at hand after a shower, of course.

Sitting back down on my chair, I open my laptop to find several emails from clients wanting my attention. Sometimes, I regret becoming a lawyer, although I know it helps with business. I have easy access to judges and police. You would be surprised by the number of corrupt law officials. Everyone wants to get their pockets wet.

I spend the rest of the day hiding in my office, replying to emails, but when it’s time to leave, I feel a lot better. Today is my birthday and Grace is forcing me to join them in Dash’s club to celebrate it. Since that little mouse entered our lives she didn’t allow me to spend my birthday alone anymore. She managed to enter my heart the same way she entered my life after stealing my brother’s heart and mind.

As soon as I close my laptop, my phone rings, and I can’t help but chuckle as I see Grace’s name flashing on the screen. “Happy birthday Bear,” she says on the other side of the line, and I can’t help but smile. Grace sees me like a big brother, a protector and I am. I wouldn’t allow anyone to touch a hair on her head. She has gone through so much since she met us that now I feel responsible for keeping her safe. After all, she is the mother of my niece and nephew, and I need to keep the little monster happy by keeping her mom safe.

“Thank you, mouse,” I reply, and she giggles on the other side of the line.

“We are leaving now. Do you want us to go pick you up?” Grace asks in her cheerful voice. Dash’s and my birthday is the only night she takes off to celebrate; the rest of the time, she spends it at home being a mom, so I can understand her enthusiasm.