Page 117 of I Am Salvation

But again, I don’t have a choice.

“Bridget, I’m going to have to call the police and social services.”

“Please, don’t.” Her face twists. “My father promised you’d come and take care of me.”

“Did you get the idea, Bridget, that when your father left you, he wouldn’t be coming back?”

She nods. “He said he won’t be back. That he was leaving. That he had to, because if he didn’t, the police would take him away.”

“I see.”

“Please don’t call them.”

“I wish I didn’t have to. But like I said, if I take you without the legal right to, I’ll get in big trouble. Then I won’t be able to help you. So I need to call them.” I kneel, grab her hands. “But I promise. I promise I will find your mother. And when I do, she will get you back.”

“I’d rather stay with you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“You’re my uncle. Mom told me all about you. I know you.”

I want to take her into my arms, kiss the top of her head, and promise that I’ll protect her always. Something I couldn’t do for Griffin, but maybe I can do for this young lady.

She’s older than Griffin was, but I’m older now too. I’m a grown man. A grown man who’s lived through a hell of a lot of hard knocks and still managed to get Diana Steel to fall in love with him.

Hell, if I can do that, I can do anything.

“I have to,” I say again. “But they’ll keep you safe.”

I hope to God I’m not lying to her.

“And I will find your mother,” I say with renewed determination.

Because Griffin is alive.

Not just alive in this daughter born from her body, but alive. I feel it in my heart and my soul. I feel it viscerally in the marrow of my bones.

My baby sister is alive, and I will find her.

Then I’ll find Malcolm Osborne.

And I will make him fucking pay.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Diana

Dragon returns a few hours later, and I gasp when another dog rushes into the room.

He and Teddy size each other up, sniff each other, but thankfully seem to like each other.

“Don’t tell me you found another abandoned dog?” I say.

“No. I found an abandoned girl. My niece.”

I clamp my hand on my mouth. “So it’s true.”

“True enough.”

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