Page 14 of Darkest Retribution

Am I crazy? Wanting to get involved with a woman who’s the primary caretaker of her seven-year-old niece?Fuck,maybe I am. But whenever I’m the reason behind Rosie’s smiles or giggles, it makes me so goddamned proud of myself. And there’s something about the way Jade’s eyes soften whenever she looks at Rosie that’s so sincere. So trustworthy.

Or you’re creating a perfect version of her in your head because you’re as infatuated as a thirteen-year-old boy.

I sigh. And, for the umpteenth time this week, I decide to try to distract myself from the beautiful, dark-haired woman across the street.

After a quick breakfast, I glance out the window and realize that it’s been a week since I’ve mowed my lawn.Shit.I meant to hire a company to do it this year, but I never got around to it. Usually, I don’t mind being outside, but it’s been so stupidly hot this summer.

Oh well.It’s something to do, at least.

I don’t bother with a shirt, knowing I’ll just soak it through. Then I start in the back since there’s at leastsomeshade from the trees.

By the time I get to the front yard, I’m disgusting, but at least my mind isn’t on Jade. I’ve been able to focus solely on pushing the lawn mower in straight rows.

But as I round the corner of the house, that changes. Rosie spots me almost immediately from where her and Jade are playing catch in their yard. The little girl sprints to the edge of the street before grinning and waving at me. When she shouts something, I stop my lawn mower.

“What?” I say, crossing the street.

“You weren’t here this morning when I got up!”

“I... why would I be?”

Rosie pouts. “Ashley always stays the night.”

“Honey, Dominic lives right across the street,” Jade says. “He probably wanted to sleep in his own bed.” She moves closer to us, ball in hand, barely giving me more than a glance.

Goddammit.

I don’t think I’ve cared this much about what a woman thought of me since I was a teenager. Or maybe it’s that Jade is the first woman I’ve been attracted to who hasn’t seemed to reciprocate.

“Auntie Jade, I want Dominic to watch me more!”

She rolls her eyes. “Why, because he gives you ice cream in the middle of the night? I don’t think so, hon.”

Rosie starts begging, and while Jade is distracted, I take her in. She’s in the same shorts she was wearing yesterday, paired with the T-shirt of some metal band I’ve never heard of. It’s a normal, everyday outfit. Jade isn’t even wearing any makeup. So why can’t I tear my eyes from her?

You’re as obsessed as Alex is with Sophia.

“Can Mister Dominic at least help me ride my bike today? Pleeease?”

“You’re asking the wrong person.” Jade nods to me. And there—just for a second, her gaze snags on my chest. She presses her lips together before looking away.

It’s a bad idea. The last thing I want to do is put a target on Jade and Rosie’s backs. For all I know, David could have eyes on me at all times. He did with Alex. But there’s no way I can say no when Rosie looks at me with those big, pleading eyes.

“Sure,” I say with a smile. “I just need to finish mowing my grass and then grab a shower, and then I’ll help you with your bike.”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you, Mister Dominic!”

As Rosie starts jumping up and down and waving her arms around, Jade gives me a grateful look. It fills my heart with a warm, satisfactory feeling, and I realize there are few things Iwouldn’tdo to get her to look at me like that again.

“I’ll be back in a bit.”

It doesn’t take me long to finish mowing. By the time I’m out of the shower, it’s almost noon, and the sky is showing no signs of clouding over. It’s the absolute worst part of the day to stand on the asphalt, but I’m not about to let Rosie down.

Before heading back outside, I check my phone and see a notification from Agent DeSanto. Against my better judgment, I texted her last night so I could feel like I was actually making progress.

Agent DeSanto:Let me do my job, Grayson. We’re currently looking into David’s family and trying to get in contact with his sister. I’ll let you know when there’s something you actually need to know.

Fuck that. I’m not letting this rest until my family is safe.

---