“Karma stepped in and gave you the perfect opportunity,” Kayne remarked. “If you’re willing to relocate, why not join Presley in Indiana?”
Before Dominic could answer, Gia skipped back into the room. “Kayne and I made this for you, too, Daddy.”
She handed him one of her bracelets with the same W, W, P, D, letters. What Would Presley Do? Dominic hugged her. “Thank you, baby. I love it.” She smiled as he rolled it on his wrist.
“Can we watchYou vs. Wild?”
She’d been through so much that Dominic would’ve let her watchSpongebob Squarepantsif she wanted. He shuddered, hearing the theme song he’d heard way too many times reverberating through his head.Who lives in a pineapple under the sea . . .
“Daddy?”
“Sure, baby.”
“Yay! Come on, Presley, Kayne, we’re going to watch my favorite show. I’ll make popcorn!”
Once everyone had a bowl of the buttery treat, they settled in the living room, with Major snoring away in his bed. It only took ten minutes of the show before Gia was out like a light.
“I’m going to put her to bed,” Dominic whispered, scooping her into his arms. He hated that he wouldn’t be able to hold Presley tonight, but his daughter was his priority, always.
Gia woke and groggily held out her hand to Presley. “Come with us.”
“I’ll take Major out and ensure the alarms are set,” Kayne offered.
Dom tipped his chin at Kayne. “Thanks.”
He carried Gia into Presley’s room with the bigger bed and placed her in the middle. He climbed in one side, and Presley slid in the other. Dom was afraid he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but with the two most important people in the world safely beside him, he drifted off to dreamland.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Presley woke with a start when she heard whimpering. It only took a moment to realize Gia was thrashing around, probably reliving her kidnapping. She snapped on the bedside light.
“It’s okay, baby, daddy’s here,” Dominic crooned to her.
“Help Presley, Daddy,” she called out.
“I’m here, Gia,” Presley told her, rubbing her stomach. “We’re both safe.”
Gia’s eyes popped open, and she blinked at her surroundings. “I dreamed Presley was in trouble. We had to save her.”
“She saved herself, honey. She’s here with us.”
Gia threw her arms around her. “I love you, Presley.”
A boulder lodged in Presley’s throat. “I love you too, Gia.” She met Dominic’s gaze, expecting to see censure since they hadn’t talked about feelings. Instead, his eyes were warm with approval, as was the smile curving his lips.
Presley turned off the light and settled on the bed with Gia in her arms. Dominic wrapped them both in his embrace. They fell asleep twined together.
Presley woke hours later and slipped out of bed. She felt like a slug for not working out once since arriving in Serenity Shores. She dressed and headed downstairs. Kayne was already up.
“Did you even sleep?”
“For a couple of hours.”
He’d said he was fine taking a life, but it had to weigh on his mind. She wondered if it kept him up at night.
“I’ve been going over Eddie Smith’s manifesto.”
“What did you find?”