Mikayla
I grit my teeth and cuss under my breath. It’s unbecoming for a royal, I know. But that’s what Jagger Johansson does to me.
“What’s wrong?” Trick asks, dressed in casual jeans and a shirt for once.
I rub my thumb over the armrest of the buttery soft leather chair that I’m sitting in. Outside of the tiny window is Durban, Africa. I’m so damn close to the beach city where Jagger lives, and damn it I can feel his tension. Wherever the hell he’s at.
“Jagger, he’s being his usual rude self.”
Trick glances away from me.
I scoff. “No, you didn’t tell him did you!”
“I didn’t…” he doesn’t sound convincing.
“Yeah? Well, I don’t believe you. I wanted Jagger to want to go visit your niece regardless of him being aware that I’m going or not.”
“You have my word, I didn’t tell him. Although, it’s over my head why you would not want him to know. He loves you. Would’ve been incentive.”
“What do you mean would’ve? He should be here soon, right?”
“Just got a text from him.” Trick sighs. “The bastard told me to apologize to my niece for him.”
“Bastard.” I repeat, shocked. Trick stuck his neck out for us! Who lets down a little kid?
“Bloody fucking arsehole is what he is.”
“Let’s give it a few?” I ask.
Trick slinks into the chair across from me. “I could kill him for this. I put my arse on the line for him. Missed the meeting with my niece for him. She got a field goal and I didn’t see it.”
“You have done a lot to help,” I sympathize in a murmur almost ready to cry.
This was supposed to be the test. Hell, I even gave Jagger a pass. If he knew the names of a select few people that he’s worked with at the church these past few months, then I knew it was a selfless act for him. That he gave a damn for the human race.
That he could truly love me.
But the visit with Trick’s niece was the real test. If he considered going. Just himself and Trick to support his niece, then, I really would know that Jagger was more than just an evil, vile, rude–
“What are you doing here?”
The voice is all too familiar, deep, two parts brooding, one part sexy. I glance into warm blue pools of water for eyes.
Jagger stands at the entrance of the jet, larger than life.
“You came…” I murmur.
He’s in front of my chair in seconds, on his knees. “I’m a fucking asshole. I won’t hurt you, Mikayla. It was never my intention, even from day one, to hurt a hair on your head, to see a tear fall down your cheek,” he brushes his thumb across my cheekbone. “Look, you don’t have a reason to give me a fucking chance, but I’m going to beg. I’m going to sit here on my fucking knees until you let me love you. I can’t do it with me in one place and you the other. I can’t think–”
“Actually, mate,” Trick cuts into what, so far, has been beautiful speech that I’m eating up every word of. He says, “You’re gonna have to get off your knees and sit your keister in a seat. I don’t give a damn how much bloody whining you want to do. But my niece is depending on us.”
“Okay,” Jagger stands. “I’m… I’m sorry, Trick.”
“I only ever required a thank you. My niece will take the same, in person.”
I laugh at Trick. He’s a man who leaves me speechless, at times. But right now, I’m speechless because of Jagger.
He sits down and grabs my hand. “I don’t know how to love, Mikayla. If you let me build a house down the hill from your palace—shit, I’ll even pitch a tent—I’ll learn. I just can’t be so far away from you.”
“You won’t get angry?”
“No.”
“Or threaten to murder any Navieans when they disagree with you?”
“Eh…no.”
I laugh at his response. “Don’t lie to me.”
He nods slowly and then says earnestly, “All I can promise is that I’ll try.”
It’s awkward, him in a chair beside me, but I reach over and kiss the man whose held my heart hostage from the very first day. Then our lips are pulled apart as we’re yanked back by the acceleration of the jet. Trick was serious about getting to London. I laugh at how invigorating my life has become since Jagger forced me to adore the beast. Jagger takes my hand. We have much more loving to do…