“Natalia said everyone swears.”
“Yeah, well, little girls shouldn’t talk like that.” Swearing is probably the tamest thing around her in this house.
“That’s sexist, Aiden.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry.”
She laughs. “Try.” She holds the half-eaten bar up to me and I take a tiny bite. Surprise hits me. The sweet yet sour flavors meld so well. I’m not usually a fan of lemon, but it’s not too much. Just the perfect balance of tart and sweet. The flavors punch me. Damn. “Good, right?” I nod. Damn good. “Who made these?”
“A friend.” I smile. “He did a good job, huh?”
“Is he aboyfriend?” She giggles.
“No, brat.” I gently shove her. “Not a boyfriend.” The thought makes my skin crawl. I have enough issues. “He’s cute, though, I guess.” Awkward. Painfully so, but cute.
“Marry the cute baker man so I can make desserts with him. Then he can make us desserts every day.”
“Okay, enough sugar for you.” I put the rest of the squares and cupcakes back in the bag. “Share a couple with Koda, okay. And don’t eat them all and make your stomach hurt.”
“You’re not leaving yet,” she whines, looping her arms around my bicep.
“I have some things I have to do, okay?” Besides, my time is running out. “You have school tomorrow. Maybe I can meet you when you get off the bus.” I wonder if Ivan would allow that.
“I hate this house. It’s scary.”
The old farmhouse looks like it’s been sitting empty for decades. When we first moved in, I cleaned her room for her. She doesn’t have much in here, but she has her books. I always make sure to check out libraries or thrift stores for free ones for her. Right now, she’s reading some series about cats with wings. I have no idea.
I grab her hands and hold them in mine, punching down the guilt I feel. I hate this too. “It’s just a big old farmhouse. It makes a lot of noise. Koda is here, though, okay? Tell him if you need him to stay in here with you. I know he will.”
“Why can’t you stay here?”Because your father is the dick to end all dicks. This is why I need to find that statue, fast. It means freedom, and nothing is more important than that.
“You know I can’t.”
“I want to go with you.”
Fuck, she’s breaking my heart. “Tell you what...” She snuggles into my side. “I have one last job to do for Dad, then he’s going to help me and set up a place where you can come stay with me.”
“He’s not your dad.”
“I know, but it’d be weird if I called him Ivan, huh? He is your dad.”
“I guess.” Her fingers loosen the grip they have on my arm. “I want to go with you.”
“Soon, Kitty Kat.” I place a kiss on top of her head.
“What are you doing this time?”
I often wonder how much she knows or sees in this house. Koda spends a lot of time with her, but other than that she’s alone. Kids like us grow up quick. We learn lessons before the age of five that most don’t learn until their late teens or twenties.
“I just have to find a statue. It’s like a treasure hunt. It’ll be fun.” As long as I don’t have to hurt someone, it’s fine. It’s rare I need to get violent, though. Except last year.
I close my eyes and push away the memory.
Sawyer flashes in my mind, and I can’t imagine hurting him.
He seems so . . .pathetic.
She hugs me tight one last time. I am getting her out of here.
