Page 42 of Trick

“Heidi!”

Trick’s yell shatters my thoughts as my heart leaps into my throat.

I drop the tea towel onto the kitchen counter, almost dropping the plate I’m drying as I rush into the living room.

I’m not sure what I expect to find—blood, body fluids—but he’s sitting on the sofa, grinning. Everything looks fine until I notice Sophia. She’s standing, using the edge of the sofa to stabilise herself, and she takes a few tentative steps towards Trick.

My mouth parts. “She’s walking?”

He nods, and the pride on his face is fucking beautiful to see.

She’s growing so fast, it scares me how much time is flying by. Only five minutes ago, she was a tiny helpless infant. Now, she’s mobile.

“She’s gonna be running before we know it.” The pride that crosses his face makes my chest bloom with warmth.

As always, my thoughts drift to my child. I never saw her walk or talk. I never saw her face or heard her cry. My grief is still a heavy weight in my chest, but it isn’t as sharp as it was. It’s like acknowledging my trauma is helping to heal it.

The doorbell rings. “Are you expecting someone?” I ask as Trick gets up to answer it.

His eyes sparkle with mischief. “Stay with Soph. I won’t be a second. And keep her walking.”

He brushes past me, and as he does, his hand skims over my hip and my heart flutters when he glances back at me as if he truly sees me.

Beaming, I sit down and watch Sophia take a few more unsteady steps. I can’t believe she’s walking.

Trick re-enters a moment later with Pia. She looks amazing, her hair pulled into a high pony and her makeup perfect. Her tight black jeans and spaghetti strap top coupled with a studded belt and high-heeled boots make her look every inch the old lady she is.

“What’s going on?”

“We’re going out,” Trick says, grabbing his kutte off the back of the sofa and shrugging into it. “Pia’s gonna sit with Sophia,” he adds before I can open my mouth to protest.

If Pia’s here, I can guarantee there’s at least two prospects sitting in the street. Howler doesn’t let her go anywhere without protection, so she’ll be safe, but I don’t like to leave Sophia.

“Where are we going that we can’t just take her with us?”

Trick scrubs a hand over his beard. His bruises from his beatdown have all but faded in the weeks since then, though he has one greenish-brown mark just under his chin that I constantly want to wash off his face. “She’ll be fine with Pia,” he assures me. “Howler’ll be around in an hour as well.”

“I know she’ll be fine,” I say, trying to make him understand without offending Pia, “but we don’t need a babysitter.”

Trick stares at me for a beat before he says to Pia, “We’ll be back soon.”

“Don’t rush,” she says, sinking onto the couch I just vacated and reaching for Sophia.

I open my mouth to argue, but Trick grabs my wrist and pulls me out into the hallway. I try to dig my heels in, but the man is strong.

“What’s going on?” I demand as he lifts my jacket off one of the hooks near the door.

“Turn,” he orders, ignoring me.

I don’t move, folding my arms over my chest. “Why are we leaving Sophia here?”

He blows out a frustrated breath. “Because this is something we need to do without her.”

What does that mean? “What are we doing?”

“Just put your fucking coat on,” he says, exasperated.

I huff a breath before snatching my jacket and shrugging into it. He grabs his keys and wallet from the bowl on top of the console table and all but drags me out of the house.

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