Page 147 of Down Knot Out
I take a deep breath. “Blood can lie to you. It can control you. But that’s not family. Family is about who shows up. Blake is one of the best men I’ve ever known. If you’re trying,really trying, he’ll have your back.”
I steady myself before continuing. “But you have to choose it. Choose him. Not your father. Not the poison.”
She tries to smile, her lips trembling. “I’m trying. I don’t know what it was about the counseling in this latest rehab, but the things my counselor said struck a chord this time. Iwantto do the work, but it means changing things about my life.”
Her attention returns to Quinn, who is now bouncing with impatience. “I just wish I could do it with Quinn. But—” She cuts off and takes a steadying breath as she turns to me, tears barely held in check. “Am I doing the right thing, putting myself ahead of my daughter?”
“No. That’s what you’vebeendoing, but you’re putting Quinn first now.” I reach down to take her hand. “The best thing you can do for Quinn is make sure she’s safe, happy, and loved. But that won’t happen if you keep falling into the same patterns.”
I squeeze her fingers to take the harshness out of the words. “If you focus on healing, though, there’s a chance Quinn gets to grow up with her mom in her life. Because from what I’ve heard, the road you were on wasn’t going to end with a reunion. It was going to end with her losing you forever.”
Sadie blinks, tears slipping down her cheeks that she swipes away before Quinn can notice them.
I squeeze her hand. “Now, come on. Let’s show you the office space before we go down for lunch. Holden’s food is magic.”
She sniffles. “Thank you for everything. You’ll be good for my brother.”
“He’sgood forme.” I release her, and we walk down the hall. “If not for him, I never would have met the others or made amends with Dominic. I’d be bonded to an evil Alpha, and my mother would still be making money off my suffering.”
Sadie’s head tilts. “Want to talk about it?”
I chuckle at my words being turned back on me. “Let’s save that for our next visit. I think Quinn’s patience has reached its limit.”
“Come on!” Quinn stamps her little foot. “We’re supposed to be giving a tour!”
“Yes, princess.” I reach past her to open the door. “Lead the way.”
She grabs Sadie’s hand without thinking, tugging her forward. Sadie freezes for a split second, surprise flashing across her features before she lets herself be led into the large space.
Quinn bypasses Dom’s area of the office to beeline for my writer space and pushes open the door with a flourish. “Here it is! See the sign? I made it with Uncle Blake!”
Sadie leans closer to inspect it. “It’s so pretty. I love the colors.”
“We made this space for her, so she has a place to write her stories!” Quinn tugs at Sadie’s sleeve. “I have a desk in here, too. See? For when I want to write with Aunt Chloe.”
In the corner sits a small table and chair, sized for a child, with Quinn’s notebooks and colored pencils arranged in careful rows. Sadie crouches to examine it, her hand hovering over the half-finished story visible on the top page.
“Detective Stardust and the Missing Teddy Bear,” she reads aloud. “By Quinn Patel.”
“It’s about a teddy bear who gets kidnapped by the evil frog king, and Detective Stardust has to find him before the dance at midnight.” Quinn’s voice rises with excitement. “Aunt Chloe says it has a good plot structure.”
Sadie wipes at her cheeks again. “I’d love to read it when you’re finished.”
Quinn bounces on her toes. “Really?”
“Really.” Sadie straightens, wincing as her knees crack. “Maybe you could send it to me when it’s done?”
Quinn nibbles on her bottom lip. “Like pen pals?”
Hope flickers across her pale face. “Sounds like a fun thing to look forward to, don’t you think?”
Quinn’s face lights up. “I’ll work on it every day.”
Sadie’s fingers brush the edge of my desk. “You must feel very welcomed here.”
“We do.” I place a hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “The Misty Pines pack takes care of their own.”
Quinn’s attention shifts, her natural restlessness reasserting itself. “Let’s show Mom Uncle Dom’s office next. He has all the cool blueprints for the resort.”
