Page 62 of Darkest Retribution

Shit.

“She’s back here with me,” I call. Then to Rosie, I say, “C’mon, let’s go. She sounds worried.”

“But I want to keep playing, Mister Dominic.”

“Yeah, tough luck. I have no desire to get on your aunt’s bad side.” I grab her and toss her over my shoulder while she lets out a delighted scream. Then I round the house, searching for Jade.

When she sees us, the worry on her face turns to relief. But it only lasts for a few seconds before her eyes flash with frustration. “Rosie! What were you thinking? You know you can’t leave the yard without my permission. You scared me!”

“I wanted to play,” Rosie whines as I set her down in front of Jade.

“Why didn’t you just ask?!”

“Because you would’ve said no!” Rosie crosses her arms over her chest, giving both of us a defiant glare that reminds me too much of Jade.

I hold back a smile, turning to Jade. “Sorry. She told me she had your permission.”

Jade groans, rubbing her face. “Don’t do that again, honey.”

“But you never let me play with Mister Dominic!”

“Because I can’t let you—” She cuts herself off, letting out a frustrated sound. “Because Mister Dominic is an adult, with adult things to do. You can’t expect him to play with you all the time.”

“I don’t mind,” I cut in, and based on the exasperated look Jade gives me, it’s the wrong thing to say.

“Rosie, why don’t you head inside. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“But—”

“Now, hon.”

With a huff, Rosie storms across their front yard and into the house. It’s only once she’s out of sight and safely inside that Jade turns to me.

“I appreciate you being so nice to her,” she says. “But you don’t have to be. Honestly, it’s okay—”

“I meant what I said.”

She presses her lips into a thin line, narrowing her eyes at me. I’m not sure what happened in her past to make her so untrusting, but I can’t blame her. The world is full of assholes. Quite often, I’m one of them. But there’s something about these two that’s different to me.

I think a lot of it’s Rosie. Whenever I look at her, I see Blaze. So much of his childhood was ruined by our mom leaving. I don’t want Rosie to go through the pain of not feeling wanted. There’s no way I can replace her dad, but I can at least do something.

“Really,” I say. “There aren’t any other kids her age in the neighborhood. I understand if you want to be around when she wants to play with me. We don’t know each other that well. But I don’t mind.”

And I’d love to spend more time with you, too, even though I shouldn’t.

She shifts her weight from foot to foot. “I... maybe. I just don’t want her getting attached. She’s had enough adults let her down.”

“I wouldn’t.”

Jade doesn’t respond, but her facial expression makes it obvious that she doesn’t believe me. Again, I’m struck with a familiarity that I can’t place.

I don’t mention it, and I don’t try to convince Jade that I wouldn’t hurt Rosie. That’s something you have to back up.

As we say our goodbyes, I make up my mind to do just that. I’m not in a place to get into a relationship. And I’ll be honest, I don’t know if Jade would even want that. But I’m drawn to her in a way that makes me want to explore every thought in her head, every feeling in her heart.

It may take time, but I’ll show Jade I meant what I said. I don’t make promises I can’t keep.

Chapter sixteen

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