Page 52 of All of Me

I’d run away twice, desperate to get away from Dad’s fists, only to be told if I did it again, if I breathed a word against my dad, that he was a cop and could cause a lot of trouble for both Albert and Jim. I’d believed him and while I still visited daily, I always made sure I was home by whatever time Dad had dictated. He didn’t want me at home, but he didn’t want me out enjoying myself, either.

I stood, because I didn’t want to leave Shae too long. “We’ve still got the place covered, but if you’re worried, you have the list of numbers to call. I’m hoping it’ll be all straightened out soon.” At least my immediate worries about the cartel finding Albert seemed to be put to rest, although we’d have to be careful. By comparison, greedy lowlifes like Ryan were a piece of cake.

Shae listened and agreed that Ryan was easier to deal with. “He’s still clearly desperate, though. I mean, Dearden paidsixty-five million dollarsfor that land? That’s insane.” I agreed. It was silly money.

“Danny’s going to dig into his online stuff and see if he can find if this hacker is linked to anything else for Ryan, and this charity because the charity status had to be created. Financial records produced. It’s either legit or he has to have paid through the nose for all of this. There has to be a record somewhere.”

I tipped up the bottle of beer I had and took a swig. We’d finished supper. Tammy had enjoyed splashing in her bath somuch I think I was wetter than she was. Even Maxie had beaten a retreat when the bubbles started flying, and Tammy was now asleep.

Shae leaned into me. “What do you think about what Moira and Albert want me to do?”

We were sitting on the couch. Or I was sitting. Shae liked to sprawl. Not that I minded in the least. I glanced at him, considering the question. “I think the important thing is, what do you think?”

“It’s been going round and round in my head. If my heart repairs itself, maybe I should offer help to Diesel after all the help he’s given me? But then who would look after Tammy?”

Drake smiled. “It would fit with Tammy for you to work here. Moira’s champing at the bit to help with her, and I don’t think you need to worry about Rawlings.”

Shae grinned. “She offered to watch her while I see to the dogs, assuming she takes on anymore rescues.” He glanced up at me. “I like being with the dogs, and I’m sure I can learn whatever she needs with the horses, it’s just…”

“What?” My heart started beating faster. We were so new. Instant family. What if Shae already felt trapped? What if I was trapping him? Or worse, because he now had Tammy, I was the easiest option?

“I’m no good on a computer.”

I blinked, thrown for a moment. It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. “Neither am I,” I said honestly. “But I don’t get how you think that matters.”

“She says she wants me to run it, and, well, that means business stuff, doesn’t it?”

I didn’t laugh or brush it off because I could see this was a genuine worry. I also knew Shae had missed a lot of school. I’d never asked, but I knew he wouldn’t have graduated high school. “Well, the way I figure it, I don’t think she wants that from you.”

“But she mentioned a friend in Dallas that runs a boarding kennel.” His voice rose, panicked. “And she’s still paying me and I’m not doing anything.”

“Is looking after the animals something you want to do?” I didn’t want to second-guess him, but he’d seemed happy around the dogs.

Shae paused but then nodded. “Yeah, I’d love to. I’ve never been an inside type of guy.”

“Then we’ll talk to them both if you like. But I’ll only come with—”

“No,” Shae bit out. “That would be great. I want you there.”

I watched as he relaxed and my mind returned to the decision I’d made a few days ago. The one where I told myself I was going to help Shae gain confidence. Even if that meant him walking away.

“To be honest,” I said. “They don’t need the money even if someone did want to buy their land. You might find she only mentioned the kennels in case it was something you wanted to do. They’ve had this place for years, and never ran anything except the charity and she pays someone to do the business side of that.

“We could talk to her tomorrow, and it’s Tammy’s therapy appointment on Tuesday.”

I smiled. “I can’t believe the first time she spoke to us she said the dog’s name.” Shae chuckled and relaxed as I hoped he would. I imagine he worried over that as well. “Moira wants to make her a birthday cake. I think we might be having a party.”

He looked so unsure I had to kiss him, and I got lost in his taste for longer than I’d intended. When I broke off, he was flushed, and I loved putting that look on him.

“We need to get this Ryan business over with, but then we’re gonna talk. I was thinking about that domestic partnership stuff.” I was actually thinking about something else, includingadopting Tammy, but I didn’t want to freak him out, and we needed to settle at being us, first.

Liar.

Because I knew deep down, I was still convinced he wouldn’t want me long-term.

Shae’s eyes widened and his lips parted adorably.

And there I went again with that fucking word.

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