Page 56 of Cruel Daddy Dragon

A fresh wave of pain rolls through me. I take a breath.

“I’m okay,” I lie, “It was a long time ago.”

I rub my hands up and down her arms.

“It’s you I’m worried about now, Sarah,” I say, “Let us protect you. Just for a short while.”

Sarah’s face has softened. She doesn’t look happy, but she doesn’t look indignant anymore. Sarah looks at the floor, taking a second to think. Then she looks up and nods at me.

“Okay. Fine,” she says quietly.

I lean down and kiss her forehead. Her hand reaches to my lower back and rubs up and down.

“Thank you,” I murmur, “I promise we’ll work as fast as possible so we don’t disrupt your life too much.”

“Well, you ought to get going and talk to Cyrus about what happened, then,” she answers.

I break, and she’s looking away.

“I guess you’re right,” I reply.

“I’ll join you after my shift,” Sarah says.

I can’t read her expression, and it does worry me a little bit. Has this woman never had anyone tell her they love her before?

But either way, I break from her, and start heading toward the door of the police station. I look back at her.

“Sarah.”

She looks up at me. I try to say theLword again, but the coldness in her gaze makes me think twice.

“I—stay safe.”

I quickly take my leave.

Chapter 19 - Sarah

As soon as my shift is over, Lena texts me, and the entire gang shows up to help escort me over to the Miller Mansion—Lena, Julie, Kaius, and Milo.

I drive my own car, but the others escort me, hovering a few car lengths behind. I am lucky that the rest of the day in the station was quiet because Rufus’s voice keeps running through my head:“I love you. I can’t lose you to Eclipse, Sarah. I just can’t.”

I’m numb. I don’t know what to make of that.

Helovesme? But… it’s so soon…

I’d just gotten used to the idea of giving in to our urges and enjoying the sex, but now he’s droppedthis…It's intimidating. When I look at our entire recent history together, I suppose it’s not the most sudden thing, but itfeelslike it’s come from left field, and the pressure is immense.

My mind is whirring as I arrive at the Miller Mansion. The others are stepping out of the car as I pull up. I put the car into park, and just sit for a moment, staring into space.

Do I have to say it back now? Do Ifeelit, though? Do I love him? What do I tell him if I don’t?

But just as I’m starting to get myself in a spiral—something flashes in front of my eyes.

Wait, a vision? Now? What’s happening?

When my vision clears, I’m… in my bathroom? Alone? What?

There’s no one else in here. It’s just me. What trouble’s happening? I thought I only had visions about trouble…

---