Page 95 of Darkest Retribution

“She wants—”

“You. can’t. stay.”

“Why are you lying to me?” I demand.

“Why can’t you leave this alone?”

“Because I lo-”

Fuck. I can’t believe I almost said that.

“Because I want to make sure you’re both okay,” I grit out, clenching my fists so tightly my fingers ache.

“It’s not your place to make sure we’re both okay.”

The words seep under my skin, burning like acid. It’s the truth. But it’s a truth I didn’t want to admit. One I was hoping I could change.

For some reason, I don’t feel anger. I should. Or maybe I shouldn’t. Not toward Jade, anyway. I’m the one who got my feelings involved when we both agreed we wouldn’t—even though it was already too late for me at that point.

Maybe that’s why the anger isn’t there. Instead, concern is mixed in with the hurt, strong and inordinate. Concern and worry.

“Fine,” I say, unclenching my hands. This time, when I step up to her, she doesn’t stop me. I pull her into me, but she barely relaxes.“If you change your mind, about anything, I’m here.”

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” she whispers. Then she places her hands on my chest and gently pushes me back.

I want to ask her what she means, but I don’t want to turn this conversation into more of a disaster than it already is. So I kiss the top of her head, grab my gun, and leave.

Just as I’m about to close the front door behind me, it’s yanked from my grasp. I turn just in time to catch Jade as she flings her arms around my neck. This time, she melts into me, and I’m not quite sure but I think I hear her sniffle.

“Jade?”

She pulls away, kissing my cheek before shrinking back into the house. “Thank you, grumpy. For everything. Good... goodnight.”

The door shuts in my face, and the deadbolt sliding into place feels like Jade putting up her walls again, closing me out.

Maybe she’ll be willing to talk in the morning.

But as I walk across the street, I can’t shake the thought that something about tonight felt... final.

Chapter twenty-two

Jade

WatchingDominicwalkacrossthe street feels like ripping my own heart out of my chest and stomping on it. But what am I supposed to do? I refuse to risk Rosie’s safety. She’s been through enough. And now that we have our chance to be free, I’m taking it before it’s too late.

The first thing I do is schedule two texts to go out in the morning. The first is to Ashley, explaining that Rosie and I had to move last minute and thanking her for everything. The second is to Dominic, telling him that his life in in danger, and to watch his back.

It’s the best I can do. I’d explain it to his face, but I don’t think he’d let me go if I did. And it’s not like I can tell him that I’m David’s sister. Not when my brother has it out for Dom and his family for some reason. All that would do is complicate things further.

Would he hate me if he knew who I really was?

The thought has tears pricking at the back of my eyes.Shit.I never should’ve let myself get involved with him.

As quietly as I can, I start packing. We’ll need to travel light and just take what we can fit in the trunk and backseat of my car. I pack my own clothes first, and then I creep into Rosie’s room, sorting through her drawers and grabbing her favorite shirts, pants, and dresses.

Once I load it all into the car, it gives me a general idea of how much space I have left for her favorite toys. I pack as many as I can fit, leaving out a few and placing them in the backseat so she has them for the trip.

Snacks. Get snacks so you can eat on the road.

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