Page 45 of The Rogue

My heart goes out to him. “Oh, me too,” I tell him honestly. “You know what else? I have to have my door open when I sleep.”

Or no door at all. But apparently, it’s not appropriate for nannies to sleep in the den.

His eyes stretch at the new information. “You can leave the door open in our house. It’s safe. Nothing will happen to you there. Dad’s really big on security in our town.”

Yes, I’m aware.

I fight the urge to stroke his cheek for trying to make me feel safe in his home. But I settle for a smirk. “Thanks, kid.”

I hold up the plush dolphin with the light. “I’m going to get this for you.”

He gives me a small smile, and there seems to be thought behind it, but he doesn’t say anything.

We’re close to wrapping up for the day, and I bring the dolphin to Charlie at the checkout desk.

She lifts the blue and white toy and frowns. “Do you want to pick another one?”

“Jackson seemed to like this one. Why?”

She smirks and rings me up. “He’s already got one.”

We have a final stop to make before heading home. Yawning hard, I pull up in front of the clothing and shoe drop and hop out, dumping the bagful in the large container.

With another yawn, I square my shoulders and buckle up. “Okay, kid, have enough fun for one day?”

“I guess.” He shrugs in the back seat. “Youlook pretty tired.”

“Nah. I’m like the Energizer Bunny.”

Though maybe today, I’m like the bunny with an old battery. One you thought was full of life but is quickly fading.

“If you say so.”

It’s five thirty, and traffic on Main Street is heavy. I text Levi that we’re on our way back but might be a while with rush hour.

At the rate we’re moving, I may as well put the car in park.

Within ten minutes, we’ve moved one block. “Progress, buddy. We’re making progress. You like music? I could put some on.”

“No, that’s okay. I’m going to play my video game.”

I might need music.Loud music.

I blink hard, shaking off the heavy fog clouding my mind. The engine and pulsing surrounding sounds seem to lull me deeper. My eyes flutter for a second, and I snap my head up.

You’ve gone much longer without sleep in the past. Get a grip.

When we’re at another standstill, I do just that, grip the steering wheel with a deep breath. The pull to shut my eyes is too powerful, and I give in.

Maybe just for a minute…it’s not like we’re going anywhere.

“Tessa!”

I jolt at Jackson’s panicked voice. The car veers to the right, dangerously close to a grey Toyota. Heart racing, I steer in the other directionas another vehicle blows its horn violently. Steadying the wheel, I snap us back to our lane with a harsh breath.

Christ.

I’m static and wide-eyed behind the wheel. A hot wave of terror washes over me when I realize how close I was to losing control. To crashing—with Jackson in the car.

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