Page 26 of Rox

“What?” I ask, feigning ignorance, “I only call it as it is.”

“I’m pretty sure that old lady who didn’t put her cart away that one time deserved to be called a Cuntasaurus Rex.”

“Um, pretty sure she did.”

We go back and forth until it’s time for us both to head back to our respective shops. When I walk through the door, I notice right away how quiet it is. I make my way through the shop and only find Stanford.

“Hey, there’s no other clients on the books for today, so I decided to close up. Duncan said you knew already. I wasn’t expecting to see you back.”

“Nope, this is news to me. I was at lunch.”

“Ah, well, surprise?” I laugh because I know it’s not his fault. “Go ahead and get out of here. See ya tomorrow, yeah?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

It’s been a weird as hell day, but I’m taking it for what it is at this point. Getting out early allowed me to get a much-needed grocery shopping trip in, and because it was the middle of the day, it wasn’t busy and took no time at all. I’ve got everything in the car and am heading home before I get that feeling of being followed. Checking all my mirrors, I don’t see anything at first, but when I get past the bend, so does a van. One, I am positive, is the same as the night I was followed before.

“Well, no fucking wonder I really couldn’t see shit,” I tell myself as I notice the heavily tinted windows. Including the front window. My mind flashes to the night this happened before, and I think about calling Mimic. It’s my natural reaction, but I think about how, not too long ago, it was my reaction to call my dad.

My dad.

Thinking of him and how much it hurt that I didn’t need him anymore, I say fuck it and call no one. No, this time, I head straight to the clubhouse, and this time, when I pull onto the property, I don’t stop.

Fourteen

Roxie

Afamiliar comfort overcomes me as I walk out to the horse barn. When it comes to the animals, my dad is a creature of habit. Given the time of day, I know I’ll find him out with the horses. If he isn’t with the horses, he’ll be making his rounds to the families on the property. After everything I experienced growing up, and the bullshit our family in Wyman went through, I thought continuing the mission of helping would be too much. I know it sounds awful, but it was a true fear I held. It was a pointless fear, though. The second we helped our first family escape their abusive father and lock him away, I knew this was what my family was meant to do.

But as much as this place comforts me, I also can’t escape the feeling of unease. Not because of the families, or the animals, or even hiding my relationship with Max. No, it’s because, despite trying, my dad and I are still in a weird place.

His hardheadedness, compared with mine, doesn’t make for easy reconciliation. I admit that I, too, am as stubborn as he is. While he isn’t mine biologically, he raised me. I already hada complicated, challenging, and stubborn streak due to who my mother is. Add in Dizz for a dad, and it was bound to be amplified by one hundred.

I love him, though, which is why I’m here.

I wanted to go to Max, but deep down, I knew my dad was who I needed more. It was hard not to let the fear of being followed consume me as I drove down the drive. The person who followed me knew what they were doing. What made it worse was not knowing if they were trying to intimidate me or if they truly wanted to hurt me.

Those thoughts left my mind the moment I pulled up in front of the house. As I continue to make my way to the barn, I think back to only a few minutes ago when my siblings made everything better for a moment.

“Hey, aren’t you guys supposed to be in school, learning how to take over the world or something?” I laugh as I hug them. They may range anywhere from ten to sixteen years younger than me, but I love it. I’m honestly obsessed with these crazy kids, and I wouldn’t change a damn thing about them.

“We had a half day today!” Flynnly jumps up and down. “Can you come do crafties with us in the play room?”

“You did? Lucky! Tell you what, I’ll track you down later for craft time, okay? But I need to talk to Dad first. Do you know where he’s hiding? You didn’t lock him up again in the dungeon, did you?”

“You know he won’t play that game anymore.”

I can’t help but laugh loudly, “Because you literally locked him in the basement safe.”

“He was in the dungeon! It was by command of the king. Why does no one get this?” Remy explains as if that makes it all okay.

“We’ll, maybe one day we can convince him that the next time you play, you won’t actually lock him in there.”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure,” Remy says in a not-at-all-convincing tone.

“Alight, come on. I’m gonna assume Dad’s with the horses.”

“Yeah, he’s in his office at the barn. He’s been out there for a while. He came out, said good morning, then told Mom to make sure everyone leaves him alone.” Belle says sadly.

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