Page 45 of Beautifully Broken Control

Lizzie pointed at me. “You said a bad word.”

I looked down at the little pixie standing in front of me. “You’re right. Never say what I do.”

She giggled. “It’s okay. I’m no snitch.” Kennedy and I burst into laughter. “What? What’s so funny?”

Kennedy ruffled Lizzie’s hair. “You are, gorgeous girl. And making people laugh is a gift. Cherish it.”

Lizzie beamed with pride. Kennedy was so good with her, and I found myself yearning to watch her teach. I couldn’t imagine anyone being made for something more. My mind continued to spin, picturing her teaching her own little ones.

I cleared my throat, trying to get my runaway thoughts under control. What the hell was wrong with me? “I came out to tell you, dinner is ready to be served.”

Kennedy arched an eyebrow at me. “Oh, and am I allowed to touch it?”

I chuckled. “I might have to tape potholders to your hands so you don’t burn yourself.”

She rolled her eyes. “Just wrap me in Bubble Wrap, why don’t you?”

“Now, that’s an idea.” I looked down at Lizzie. “Do you have any Bubble Wrap?” She just giggled and shook her head.

Kennedy moved towards her shoes in the corner, and as she went to slip them on, I saw that one of her toenails was almost black. “What happened?” My voice came out more harshly than I intended, but it couldn’t be helped.

Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

I gestured to her foot. “Your toenail?”

“Oh, that’s nothing. Just a bruise.”

She made it sound as if she’d just bumped it, but it was more. “How did it happen?”

Kennedy slipped on her shoes and shrugged. “I danced with shoes that need replacing. It happens.”

My jaw tightened, that familiar clicking sound in my ears. “Why haven’t you replaced them?”

“I just haven’t had time. But I’m going to go get some new ones this weekend.”

“What are you going to dance on in the meantime?”

She winced, and I knew she was going to use the same shoes that had injured her in the first place. I opened my mouth to say that I’d get her some damn shoes tomorrow, but she held up a hand to silence me. “I don’t have to go up on pointe in my classes for the next two days, it’ll be fine. And Jensen is going into Pine Ridge this weekend, so I’ll just tag along and get my shoes then.”

I nodded, and we headed for the kitchen. Dinner prep went off without a hitch. Ormostlywithout a hitch. I’d noticed the new resident—Jay, he’d introduced himself as—watching Kennedy a few times. I couldn’t blame the man, she was beautiful, but I didn’t have to like it. I’d introduced myself to him, hoping to get a last name so I could run him, but all I’d gotten was: Jay. I’d just have to keep a close eye on him for now.

“You’re really good with Lizzie.”

I was jolted back to the present moment by Kennedy’s voice. “She’s a great kid, which makes it easy.” I hadn’t been around kids much since college and hadn’t realized how much I missed the dynamic. I’d always been more of a father to Kiara than a brother, and I missed that. Having someone to care for, guide, make laugh.

Just like always, the warm memories of all the good times my sister and I shared were followed by an assault of horrible ones. The knowledge of what had happened to her. The understanding that it’d likely happened because I wasn’t there.

Kennedy touched my shoulder gently, a silent question in her gaze.

“Sorry. Just lost in thought.” More like lost in a nightmare.

“Okay.” She didn’t sound as if she believed me.

* * *

“Cain,you have to go. We need you there.”

I let out an exasperated growl as I paced in front of the community center. “Why is this so important, Jake?”

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