Page 27 of Gash

“I’ll go, too.She’s my bestfriend,” Tabitha said.“Her mommy’s mean to her.”

Angel’s heart sank.She had done her bestto keep Lash and the boys out of it.This was not the first timethat Daisy had been left at school, waiting to be picked up.If shedidn’t pick her up, Eva would, or one of the other women.Daisy wasbest friends with Tabitha, and they’d been close since the two hadstarted nursery.Angel wanted to take Daisy away from her drugaddict parents, but so far, their lawyer had advised not to getinvolved.She didn’t like to cause conflict, and even though Tinyhad given the parents a talking to, she didn’t want moretrouble.

“I’ll be back soon,” Angelsaid.

“Take one of the prospectswith you.”

In that moment Twisted, one of thenomad men who was taking a chance of settling down in Fort Wills,entered the kitchen.“I heard you needed a prospect?I’m betterthan a prospect.”He gave a bow.

“I’ve got to go and pick upDaisy, and take her home.”Angel sighed.“Are you sure you’re okaywith that?”

“Yes.I’lldrive.”

She took hold of Anthony and Tabitha’shands, and walked them toward the car.Once they were seated, sheclimbed into the passenger seat, and waited for Twisted to takethem toward the school.

“Daisy’s parents are badnews,” Twisted said.

“You know them?”

“I’ve heard of them.Badpeople.Addicts always are.”Twisted didn’t take his eyes off theroad.

“I don’t want to leave herthere.”

“We don’t have a choice.The guyscan give them warnings, but unless the state does anything, we’restuck.”

Angel hated this.She hated feelinghelpless.

When she pulled up outside of the school,Daisy stood with the principal, Mr.Dean Mint.

Climbing out of the car, she smiled athim.“I’m sorry.”

“Angel, you do not need toapologize.I’ve notified social services of this.”

Daisy was staring at her feet.Angel’sheart went out to her.“It can’t go on.”

“I don’t know if it will do anygood.I will do what I need to do to keep her safe.”Dean lookedtired.He was a good principal and tried to keep the kidssafe.

“You do the best you can.”She reached out.“Come on, Daisy.Tabitha is waiting foryou.”

She gave Dean a final smile, and ledDaisy away to her car.There was already a spare car seat in thecenter of the back seats.

“Mommy forgot about meagain,” Daisy said.

Cupping her cheek, Angel sighed.“Iknow, honey.I didn’t forget about you.”

“Will you be mymommy?”

Angel would in a heartbeat.“I can’t now,baby.We’ll see what happens.”Securing her in her seat, she blewout a breath and climbed back in the front.

“It would solve a lot ofproblems.I bet her parents wouldn’t even know she was missing ifyou took her home now.”

Glancing behind her, she saw Tabithaand Daisy were talking.Checking on Anthony, she saw her son heldonto Daisy’s hand, and was staring at her.

“Take me to her trailerpark,” Angel said.

She wouldn’t allow Daisy to gowithout, not on her watch.

“She likes you,” Twistedsaid.

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