Page 47 of The Monsters Within
“Tucker, I just want to kiss my woman.”
“You have to say hi to Tucker first, Uncle Cash,” Charlie informed me. I looked at her, wondering if it was that simple. Tucker had taken to Jack, and we all wondered how. But thinking about it now, Jack always said hello to the dog before he got near Charlie.
I looked at the dog, who stared back at me. With a hard swallow, I crouched down in front of him, my face inches from his. I hoped Rose appreciated what I was doing because I was putting my life in the dog’s hands right now.
“Hey, Tucker. How are you doing today?”
“What are you doing, Cash?” Rose whisper-yelled, panic lacing her tone. I tentatively lifted my hand and set it on the dog’s head. I scratched between his ears, and his eyes closed while his tail began to thump on the couch.
I smiled at Charlie. “Well, goddamn, Charlie. Are you the dog whisperer?”
Charlie giggled her little girl giggle, and I laughed. It appeared Tucker was just as horny for attention as the rest of us men in the clubhouse.
Giving him a few more rubs, I stood and leaned over to press my lips to Rose’s. It really was that simple, but fuck me if I’d tell the other guys that. Let them figure that shit out on their own.
“Have you petted him yet?” I asked Rose.
“No.”
I chuckled at her tight answer. “How did he get up here?”
“Charlie.”
Turning a smile to the cheeky little conniver, I winked before turning back to Rose. I picked up Charlie and sat next to Rose, placing Charlie on my lap.
“What are we reading?”
“The Boxcar Children.” Charlie’s smile beamed when she added, “I’m gonna ask Papa King if we can get a boxcar for the backyard.”
I stole a glance at Rose and wondered if she had anything to do with that idea. And when she turned her innocent eyes on me and smiled, I knew it was true. And in that moment, I vowed to find a fucking boxcar for the backyard.
I didn’t know a lot about Rose’s childhood. But I knew enough to know hers wasn’t even close to normal. Like Charlie’s would be. And if my woman wanted a boxcar, I would damn well get her one.
Chapter Fourteen
Kytten
“It’s been a few days; how does that cut feel?” Dr. Dunaway asked.
I looked down at the black leather vest I wore. I almost never took it off. Even in bed, Cash liked when I wore my cut and nothing else.
“That smile says a lot.”
I looked up, feeling the heat rise up my neck. “Yea. I don’t know when I’ve ever been this happy.”
It was true. As kids, Thorne and Mom and I were always moving around. We had only ever had each other. But I was happy. At that point in my life, I didn’t know anything different.
It wasn’t until the man took Mom away that I started to feel different things. Things I didn’t understand. Things I couldn’t explain or process.
“I’m glad to hear it. Can you tell me what it was like when you and Mimic were living on the street?”
I took a deep breath. I didn’t like talking about this. This was the start. This was when everything fell apart. His leaving to get food was the catalyst that led my life to where I was now. If only he’d taken me with him. None of it would have happened.
I didn’t blame Thorne. No, I blamed myself. I should have stayed where I was. If I hadn’t wandered around, the man wouldn’t have tried to take me, and Val wouldn’t have had to rescue me. And the reason I was sitting here today wouldn’t be torturing me.
You also wouldn’t have Cash.
“What were you feeling then?” he asked.
