Page 65 of Blame It On Midnight

“You must be Manley,” she said. “And this is not a dog.”

Manley joined her at the bottom of the stairs. “Nope. She’s a gray wolf abandoned by her pack when she was nothing but a small pup. She was underweight and needed some looking after, which is why they left her, but now she’s part of the family.” He winked. “She doesn’t bite the folks she likes, and she seems to like you. You’re Collins.”

Pleased that Benton had mentioned her to his father, she nodded. “I am…where is he?”

“He knew you were coming?”

Embarrassed to be caught out like that, she picked at the edge of her T-shirt and shook her head. “No. We were supposed to hang out tonight, and I got a weird text message, and I…I mean, it wasn’t weird, it just wasn’t like Benton and I…” Jesus, she was blabbering. “I wanted to see him, is all. Maybe I should go.”

“No,” Manley said. “Stay. I’m certain he’ll want to see you.” He’s just busy with…” The man looked as if he wasn’t quite sure what to say, and she was starting to get more than a little concerned.

“It’s Daisy Mae. She’s not doing great, and he brought her back here.”

“Oh.” That wasn’t what she’d been expecting to hear. “What’s wrong with her?”

“I’ll let Benton know you’re here. He can fill you in.”

Manley disappeared back up the stairs, leaving her standing with a wolf and feeling awkward as hell. She could hear voices. Rosie. A low male rumble that was either Manley or Benton. And crying.

Long moments stretched so thin she wanted to scream, and when Benton finally appeared on the top landing, she nearly did. He looked…different. Older somehow. Tired or resigned, maybe.

He walked down the stairs and instantly scooped her into his arms and held her tight for a long time. It felt good and right, and then he pressed a kiss to the top of her head and gently released her.

“I see you met, Penny.”

She nodded. Spoke quietly. “And your dad.” She searched his features, but he seemed closed off. “What’s going on, Benton? Your father mentioned Daisy Mae is here.”

He slowly nodded. “She’s relapsed, and Nick is gone. Not sure what happened there. He might have left, and that’s why she’s using, or he left because of it. She was at Nora’s dance lesson, and I could see she was struggling. I had no choice. She needs help.”

“Of course,” she replied. “It’s good that you can be there for her. She needs you.”

I do too. The thought was sneaky and childish, and she was instantly filled with shame.

“I’m sorry. I know we had plans, but I can’t leave her. I’ve been here before, and it’s a long process.”

“No, of course not. I wanted to make sure you were fine. I just,” she gestured with her hands, “my mind started working overtime. Silly of me.”

“Not silly.” He attempted a smile, but it didn’t work. “I don’t know how long it will take for Daisy Mae to work through the withdrawal. I’m not sure how long she’s been using. She says four days, but she lies when she’s on the stuff. I don’t know what she’s put into her body either. I need to see her through this, and I guess, we’ll be looking at rehab again.”

“I’m so sorry.” She frowned. “Where’s Nora?”

“Taz took her back to his place.”

“I can get her and bring her home if you want.”

“No. I don’t want her anywhere near this. It’s going to get ugly, and Nora doesn’t need to see that. Besides, she’ll be fine. She’s with family.”

Right. And Collins wasn’t family.

Manley appeared again, his eyes kind when they swept over Collins. “She’s asking for you, Benton.” With a nod, the man headed back down the hall toward Benton’s room.

“I should go.” He stepped back. “We’re good, though?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“This will probably tangle me up for a while. I don’t know when I will have time to…”

“It’s okay, Benton. I’m headed to New York anyway.” She pasted a smile to her face, noting his surprise. “I have a shoot I forgot about and my parents have a charity gala that I wasn’t planning on attending, but since I’ll be in the city, I suppose I’d better make an appearance.”

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