I failed them both.
My head tipped toward the swirling water below. I could make it up to them.
‘We’re waiting for you.’
“I’m coming Sam.” I lifted my leg to take that last step when I felt something small and warm slide in my palm.
“Don’t cry.”
Stunned, I turned and looked down at the little girl holding my hand. I blinked a few times, trying to clear my vision, but she didn’t leave. She was really here, staring up at me with … my breath hitched. Her eyes! Deep sapphire orbs. The same color I’d seen every day for the past five years.
“It’s okay.” The little girl tucked her black hair behind her ear and smiled brightly up at me. The same spark of hope portrayed in her face as my Sam. “I’ll help you find your way home.”
Her words penetrated my hollow insides. For the first time in a week, I could feel my heart beating. “What’s your name?”
“Riley Marie Adams,” she stated proudly.
Derek’s daughter, go figure. My eyes skimmed over the child’s face. She might be his daughter, but all I saw in her was Sam.
I squatted down to her height and forced myself to smile back. “What are you doing out here all by yourself, Riley?”
“My mom and dad are fighting,” she dropped her head and shifted her eyes, guilty. “I didn’t like it.”
I frowned at her shivering form. Poor thing was only wearing a dress. What the fuck was Derek thinking? He should be taking care of his kid. If I had it to do over, I’d…
“Running away is never the answer,” I said, wrapping my cut around her tiny body.
She sighed, “I know.”
“Do you know what happens when you hide?”
Riley pulled my cut tightly around her and shook her head.
“You forget who you are.”
I faltered and stared dumbfounded at the expression on Riley’s face.
Okay Sam, I get it.
“Come on,” I stood up and held out my hand. “Let’s get you home.”
“Okay,” Riley huffed and followed me back to the car I jacked.
That was when I looked down at the bottle in my hand. I could barely make it down the path, let alone drive a little girl home. Walking might be a better idea, especially since I was starting to see two of her. I walked around and opened the back door to grab my jacket. When I pulled the leather out, a pimply face smiled up at me.
“Hey, boss.”
Fucking Tanner. The kid was so scrawny I didn’t even notice him back there.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
Riley tsked beside me, “You shouldn’t swear.”
“Sorry,” I muttered before returning my attention to Tanner.
He jumped out of the car and pushed his fingers through his messy blonde hair. “Someone had to have your back.”
I found the kid a year ago surfing through a dumpster for food. Thought I’d give him a break and a place to stay at the club house. Now the annoying little prick wouldn’t leave me alone.
