Page 41 of Dagger

“No, we won’t ‘see.’ You’ll make it happen,” she says, her voice sharp but not unkind. “You’ve always been stubborn. Use it for something good this time.”

I huff out a small laugh despite myself. “Guess I don’t have much of a choice, huh?”

“Not if you want to make things right,” she says with a knowing smile.

I lean back into the couch, letting her words sink in. The road ahead looks rough as hell, but sitting here in the warmth of her home, I feel like maybe—just maybe—I’ve got a shot at putting it all back together.

FIFTEEN

CHLOE

I’m warm,safe, and I feel completely at peace. Dagger’s arms are wrapped around me, strong and steady, holding me close. His chest rises and falls against my back, and I can feel the heat of his breath on my neck. His hand rests on my hip, his thumb brushing lazily against my skin. I sigh, letting myself sink further into the comfort of him.

Everything feels so right, so real.

Then, a soft cry pierces the quiet. I freeze for a moment, but Dagger stirs behind me. He presses a kiss to the back of my head, his lips lingering as his voice rumbles low and soothing.

“I’ve got him,” he whispers, his words a promise.

I watch as he pulls on a pair of sweatpants and disappears into the hallway. The sound of the baby’s cries softens almost immediately, replaced by Dagger’s low, steady voice. I close my eyes, listening to the way he talks to our son, my heart swelling with a mix of love and longing.

When he comes back, he’s holding the baby in his arms. The sight takes my breath away—Dagger, standing there with our son nestled against his chest, looking completely at ease.

“Hungry little guy,” he says with a quiet chuckle, sitting on the edge of the bed.

I sit up and reach for him, my arms aching to hold my son. Dagger passes him to me, his hands steady and careful. The baby latches quickly, his tiny hands resting against me as he nurses.

Dagger leans back against the headboard, watching us with an expression I can’t quite describe. There’s love there, yes, but also awe, like he can’t believe any of this is real.

When the baby finishes, his little body limp with sleep, Dagger reaches for him again. “I’ll put him back,” he says, brushing a kiss over my temple.

I watch as he carries our son out of the room, disappearing into the soft glow of the hallway light. The house is quiet again, and I sit there for a moment, the warmth of the moment still wrapped around me like a blanket.

Eventually, I get up and head to the bathroom. The cool tile under my feet jolts me slightly, but it’s grounding in a way. I freshen up quickly, eager to get back to bed.

When I return, Dagger is already lying down, the covers pulled back, waiting for me. He pats the empty space beside him, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

“Come here,” he says, his voice low and inviting.

I smile, crawling into bed and curling up against his chest. His arms come around me instantly, pulling me close, and I let out a contented sigh.

Then he tilts my chin up, and his lips capture mine in a kiss that’s deep and slow, filled with passion and something else—something that makes my heart race and my stomach flutter.

“I love you, Chloe,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice rough and raw.

My heart swells, and I blink back tears as I whisper, “I love you too.”

The warmth of his arms, the sound of his voice, and the love in his eyes make everything else fade away. For the first time, I feel whole.

Then the dream begins to slip away. The warmth fades, the safety of his touch dissolving into the shadows of reality. My eyes flutter open, and I’m alone. But his words linger in my chest, and even awake, I can still feel the ghost of his arms around me.

I sit on the edge of the bed, the weight of those words settling over me. I can feel the flutter again, faint but steady, like a reminder of what I’m fighting for. My baby.Ourfuture. Starting fresh.

My mind drifts to Hawk’s offer to move in with him. It’s tempting, having someone to lean on, especially someone like Hawk, who’s always been there for me. But I know how he feels—he’s hinted at it enough times—and the last thing I want is to lead him on. My feelings are all over the place, tangled and messy. He’s my friend, and right now, that’s all I can handle.

I sigh and grab my phone off the nightstand, scrolling through rental listings for what feels like the hundredth time. My thumb hovers over the screen when something catches my eye—a little two-bedroom house. The pictures show a place that’s older but clean and well-kept, with a small yard and plenty of sunlight streaming through the windows. It’s in a good part of town, and the price is surprisingly reasonable.

My heart skips a beat as I quickly type out a message to the landlord, asking if I can come by and take a look.

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