Page 275 of Dark Love

I hate him. I hate everyone. And now I need to ask for a favor instead of giving him a black eye. It’s tempting to ask for a double, but I have to go out on the street again. “None for me.”

Payne turns to face me with a glass in hand. “What’s up?”

“One of our snitches contacted me this morning. Gotta go find out why.”

“Need some backup. I could drop Imogene off at Prue’s and go with you.”

And now I need to ask another man to do my job. Because even with the security video, there’s no way I can watch out for her with an entire neighborhood wandering around her house. “Could you keep an eye on Dahlia today? It makes me antsy to have all those people around when I can’t be.”

“Will do. I’ll keep the guys away from her.”

“You don’t need to do that.” Imogene walks up, holding a little plate for each of us. “Dahlia loves Vex. She won’t be flirting with any of them.”

“That doesn’t mean they won’t try anything with her,” I grumble into the plate.

“Well then, go to the party and growl at anyone that looks at her yourself.”

Imogene giggles at the face I make at her.

Today stinks.

***

As I step onto the street, a message from Dahlia comes through.

Dahlia: I miss you!

A smile spreads across my face for the first time.

Me: Miss you too, Dahl.

Me: Are you enjoying your time with your mom?

Dahlia: Yes. No.

I should have snuck in last night.

Me: What’s happening?

Dahlia: I hate the idea of having a housewarming party without you.

Every instinct in me screams to go to her.

Dahlia: Mom has got me wearing this insane dress. I should just go hide in your library until the party is over.

WHAT?

Me: Show me

Her mother does wild things. She better not try to talk my woman into something that shows too much skin and makes her feel uncomfortable.

Me: Dahl, if it makes you that uncomfortable, don’t wear it. But definitely send me a picture!

Dahlia: LOL

I can practically hear her laughter in my head.

Me: Waiting on my picture…

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