“Maddox will protect me.”
Telling a man that another man will protect his woman is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
“Why don’t I drop your mother off with your aunts, and then I’ll take Fiona to work. Aleksei and Rio can keep an eye on Antonio. “
Aleksei is more likely to keep a fist in his face, but at least Uncle Antonio won’t do anything stupid if he’s knocked out.
“See, that will work. Your dad can hand me directly over to Canyon or Maddox.”
CANYON.
“Perfect,” Fiona smiles.
It’s anything but…Today is officially the worst day ever.
Spider Brand
Fiona
Max sounded about as excited as a person on their way to get a root canal, but he’s on his way to see his grandmother today.
How I ended up with his father following Hope and me around, I don’t know, but it’s slightly terrifying. It’s even weirder knowing I’m living with his family.
I live with a mafia don.
Max needs to figure out this Micky guy soon, so I can move back home. Saying that, even in my head, feels wrong.
All you have to do is walk in and do your job today. The rest will figure itself out.
And drink all the coffee.
“I’m so tired.” Hope yawns.
“You should have stayed in bed.” Talon nudges her carefully.
Hope yawns again. “Fiona came to work.”
“I told you last night that you didn’t need to come in.” That little girl is almost as stubborn as her father. He lost his mind at the idea of me going to work without him.
“Fea, are you back there?” Riverie walks up with a child next to her.
A child who’s way too young. Kids of all ages show up here looking for a safe place. But rarely do children this young find their way to us. The system scoops them up before they hitthe street. It’s usually teenage runaways. Kids who have been battered and abused one too many times to trust others. The little ones don’t come to us.
Paisley needs to be notified as soon as possible, and Riverie knows that.
“I am. Who have you got there with you?” It’s tempting to rush up and lift the little girl into my arms and shield her from the world.
“This is Gemma. She’s five.”
The little girl’s face is hidden by dark, stringy hair, but her bony wrists speak to a lack of nourishment. I sink down to her level. “Hi, Gemma. My name is Fiona.”
“You don’t look like a monster.” She peeks up at me from behind her hair.
There’s something familiar about her. “I don’t?” That might not be true in a few hours.
“No. Riverie said you made the best food.”
That would be Ace, but I do sweets well and comfort even better. “Are you hungry?” A little more of her face peeks through, and my gut clenches. This can’t be possible. My mind is making things up. I can’t be seeing what I think I’m seeing. This is just your mind playing tricks on you. Act normal. This is just a normal day, starting a normal week.
