Page 39 of Give Me Perfect Love

She owns me.

I hold her tighter to me and quick-kiss her hair before resting my cheek on it, breathing her in. A rush of flames shoots up from her bedroom.

“We better be going soon,” Mills says, standing by the hood of his truck. I agree with him; the fire department will be here shortly.

I move from holding Kat.

Mills shoves his hands into his coat’s pockets. Kat wipes her cheeks and turns her head toward him.

“So… I know this is all new and…” Mills stops and looks above her head, searching for the words. “I missed out on everything and I’m sorry. I swear I didn’t know. Things would have been so different.” He gives her a sad smile and gazes toward the house. “Hell, I don’t know if you want a dad. I mean, you’re grown.” He exhales and looks back at her. “But I’d love to be yours.”

She chokes out a smile. “Yeah, I think I’d like that, too.”

His whole face lights up. “Really?”

Kat nods. “Yes.” Mills doesn’t even think about it as he reaches out and pulls her into a warm embrace. And this is the first time Kat has ever hugged the man knowing he’s her father.

It’s a damn good thing to witness.

A damn good thing.

Chapter Thirteen

Bryce

After we part ways and the two agree to talk again soon, we load up in our vehicles and take the long road back home. We leave her car there, planning to get Ben or someone to come and get it this week, so Kat sleeps most of the ride. Her actions today wore her out and it’s understandable.

Heading out of the town we would never step foot in again, I look behind me, still able to see a trail of black smoke drifting up from the trees. And I hear the sirens from the fire trucks rushing out to stop what we’ve done.

But it’s too late.

They won’t be able to save that house.

The fire has done what it should.

It consumed evil, burning walls that have seen things no one should witness.

I look over at K as she uses my coat for a pillow. Her small hands rest in her lap. Tiny cuts from broken glass cover her palms, and I know her fingers are sore from the ricochet of the bat.

She tore that place up, and all I could do was watch.

I didn’t make a move to stop her.

I didn’t make a move to help.

She needed that moment, and I let her have it.

The sun has retired for the day when we pull up to my apartment building. Climbing out on tired legs, Kat walks in front of me as we head up.

The mood has shifted because we’re back in the present world.

Not wrapped up in the past.

Neither one of us speaks and I hate the silence between us. I didn’t even ask her if she wanted me to take her home.

I open the door after we step off the elevator and Kat passes through. The cold apartment instantly warms just with her in it. It’s felt too big and too lonely without her.

She turns to me, looking sheepish.

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