Exclusive Excerpt from Nuts

by SE Jakes

Preston felt like he’d won a small victory from the stubborn man. “I want to check out security at the club, and I’ll have your back while I’m figuring things out.” “Were you thinking of doing something else?”

Preston shrugged. “I don’t think

they’re going to let me out—not fully, anyway.” He was too well trained, had cost the military far too much money to simply be allowed to walk away from his Green Beret days.

“So what—are you officially part of the National Guard?”

“Something like that. They call and I jump.”

“With no notice.” Jagger sounded resigned but not surprised.

“I’ll make sure you’re covered.”

“That’s not…dammit, Preston.” Jagger hit the steering wheel with his palm. “It didn’t have to be like this. It never had to be like this. You didn’t have to run to enlist in the first place.”

“I wasn’t running, Jagger. I needed to fucking establish myself. Or I really would’ve been what my family called me.”

“Jagger’s whore?” he bit out. “You refused to let anyone pay your way. Don’t they know that?”

“It didn’t matter. They knew you’d offered to take care of me—you and your family. They didn’t understand it then, and now—”

“This isn’t the same.”

“Feels like it can be.”

“Dammit, you know what k

ind of security I need. And you’re in the unique position of already being trusted to provide it.”

Preston pressed the heels of his palms to his eyes. “I told you I’d consider it. That I’d help you in the meantime. Can that be enough for now? I’m working on two hours of sleep here.”

“Yeah,” Jagger said roughly. “It’s always enough when you’re here.”

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