Page 80 of Wicked Little Nightmare

I watched Rose carefully, waiting for her to bolt or burst into tears. But something unexpected happened. The tension in her shoulders eased, just a fraction. Her lips twitched upward in some weird version of a smile.

Rose didn't speak — no surprise there — but she picked up her fork again. She took a tentative bite, then another. My chest swelled with a weird sense of pride. Who knew playing house could be so damn satisfying?

I caught Cam's eye across the table. His dark gaze was fixed on Rose, that familiar predatory gleam softened by something I couldn't quite place. Whatever it was, it made my skin prickle with jealousy and excitement in equal measure. This whole family thing was kinda working out.

"You like it, Rose?" I asked, leaning forward. "Bet it beats whatever slop they fed you at that orphanage."

Rose's eyes flicked up, a flash of anger in her gaze.Curious.Before I could parse it out, Cam's hand found my thigh under the table, squeezing hard enough to bruise.

"Easy, babe, Jesus," he murmured. "Let's not scare off our guest just yet. Give her a minute."

I leaned back, a thrill running through me at his touch. This was new territory for us – playing nice, nurturing our little stray. But as I watched Rose slowly come out of her shell, I realized I really sort of liked it. I was doing something positive. It was oddly soothing to whatever soul I had left.

Cam's thumb traced circles on my leg, his eyes never leaving Rose. I could practically see the gears turning in that brilliant, twisted mind of his. Whatever game we were playing now, it was far from over.

And honestly? I couldn't fucking wait to see how it all played out.

Rose's gaze darted between me and Cam, her eyes wide and wary. But there was something new there too. A growing sense of belonging. The shift was almost imperceptible, but it was there. The room felt different somehow. Warmer.

I cocked my head, studying her. "You know, Rosie, you're safe here. No one's gonna hurt you." I flashed her a smile. "Well, not unless you want them to."

Cam's fingers dug into my thigh. I bit back a moan, heat pooling low in my gut. God, I loved it when he got all sassy.

Rose's brow furrowed, like she was trying to solve a particularly tricky puzzle. Her lips parted, then closed again, words dying before they could escape. Poor thing looked like she wanted to participate in the conversation, but didn’t know how, or what to even say.

I leaned in, dropping my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You don't gotta talk if you don't want to. But if you stick around, I promise we'll show you a whole new world of fun. You see… we’re exacting revenge on the fuckers who did this to you. To us, too, if I’m being honest."

As I spoke, I watched her eyes. They were suddenly filled with hope. Now we were speaking her language. She wanted revenge. That was useful.

I glanced at Cam, saw my own twisted excitement mirrored in his dark gaze. Whatever this fragile thing brewing between us was, it was far from over. And honestly? I couldn't wait to see how our little Rose would bloom.

Twenty-Nine: Cam

Ablood-curdling scream tore through the darkness, jolting me awake. My heart pounded as I shot upright, disoriented.What the fuck?

Lakey was already moving, her lithe form a blur as she rushed to Rose's side. The kid was thrashing around on the couch like she was being attacked by invisible demons, her nails raking angry red lines down her own arms.

"Shit," I muttered, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. This was gonna be a long night.

Lakey's voice cut through Rose's panicked gasps. "Shh, sweetie. You're safe. No one's gonna hurt you here."

I snorted. That was rich, coming from Lakey "Murder Angel" Aldrich. But I kept my mouth shut, watching as she tried to calm the hysterical girl.

Rose's eyes were wild, unseeing. She continued to claw at her skin, leaving blood dripping down her arms, like she was trying to tear it off. "Get them off me! Get them off!"

"There's nothing on you, Rose," Lakey soothed, trying to grab her hands to stop her scratching. "It's just a bad dream."

But Rose was beyond reason, her breaths coming in ragged bursts. I wondered idly if she'd pass out soon. Might be easier to deal with her unconscious.

Lakey shot me a look, those icy blue eyes of hers silently commanding me to do something. I sighed.Always gotta be the hero, don't you, babe? Well, anti-hero.

"Hey, kid," I called out, not moving from my spot. "You're okay. Just breathe."

Fat lot of good that did. Rose just screamed louder, her voice cracking with the force of it. Christ, my ears were gonna be ringing for days.

Lakey's patience was wearing thin. I could see it in the tightening of her jaw, the slight twitch of her eye. Any second now, she was gonna snap and—

"Rose!" Lakey's voice cracked like a whip. "Look at me. Right now."

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