Page 19 of Rebel

I froze until the little girl ran towards me at full speed. “Hi,” she shouted, waving up at me. “It’s me, Livvy.”

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face as I bent to greet her with a fist bump. “I remember you, Livvy. How could I forget my festival buddy?”

She giggled and pushed her hair from her eyes. “Whatcha doin’ here?”

“Yeah,” Nikki echoed the sentiment as she joined us. “What are you doing here?” Fear flashed in her eyes, before it was replaced by annoyance.

I folded my arms over my chest, as calm and as cool as I could possibly be. “I’m doing exactly what I said I would.” My words were a challenge. “What are you girls doing here?”

Nikki glared at the challenge I presented to her before she laid a gentle hand on Livvy’s shoulder. “Go play, honey. I need to talk to your new friend.”

“Okay,” she sang happily. “See you soon, Rebel. I hope.”

As soon as the little girl was gone, she gave me her best glare. “Why did you come back?”

My lips pulled into a crooked smile. “Who said I ever left?” Before she could give me shit, I leaned in close because I didn’t need any eavesdroppers in our business. “Yesterday two Blood Fangs prospects followed you to the studio and then to the grocery store before I reminded them why it was a bad idea. I’m staying, Nikki. Deal with it.”

Defiance flashed in her gaze, and it was hot as fuck, but there was an underlying fear there and even though I hated it, I was pleased to see she understood exactly why my presence was necessary. “How do you know my daughter?”

“I didn’t know you had a daughter, were you gonna tell me?” Okay, that was a low blow, but I couldn’t help my jealousy that she’d been with another man after me.

“It’s not like we’re dating,” she answered sounding equally annoyed.

I brushed off her tone and gave her a quick rundown of how I had the pleasure of meeting her daughter. “Livvy was crying because she got separated from Mia. I saw her and offered to stay with her until we foundher Mia, I thought that was what she called her mom.”

Nikki smiled affectionately at that. “Well it seems that you have a fan.”

“It’s mutual, she’s a great kid,” I assured her. “If it makes you feel better, your friend Mia made it clear that my help wasn’t needed.”

She nodded. “Mia can be very protective of Livvy.”

“She’s a very lucky little girl to have two fierce women who love her.” It was what every child deserved, and I was happy that the little spitfire had at least two people who cared so deeply for her. “She’s great, Nikki.”

Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink. “I agree.

I watched as Nikki walked back towards where Livvy was climbing the ropes, so many questions left unasked. I wanted to know where the father was, wanted to know if he was involved in their lives. Shit, I wanted to know if she wished he was there with them.

It was none of my business, of course, but that didn’t stop dozens of questions from forming on my lips, all of which I kept to myself. I watched as mother and daughter laughed and played together, so wrapped up in each other that they hardly noticed the outside world, which was why it was so important that I was there to watch them.

Protect them from a distance.

***

Time passed quickly as the sun made its way to the other side of the sky while I got lost in the two females who had captivated me. Between making sure the Blood Fangs didn’t bother them, and wondering about their story, my mind was full ofwhat ifs.

The pitter-patter of little feet headed my way, and I couldn’t stop the smile that played on my face as Livvy ran up to me, stopping less than a foot away. She tilted her head back, a wide smile on her face. “Wanna have lunch with me and Mommy? We’re having burgers and onion rings,” she said as if she knew how tempting that offer was. Her green eyes pleaded with me to say yes, while her mother’s pleaded with me to say no, as evidenced by her wide eyes and subtle shake of her head.

I could’ve said no.

Maybe I should have.

But curiosity got the better of me, and I smiled. “I love burgers and onion rings, but only when they’re paired with a milkshake. Chocolate.”

Livvy gasped with wide eyes. “That’s my favorite.” She cast a pleading look over her shoulder at Nikki who reluctantly nodded.

“Maybe. We’ll see.” Her jaw clenched when her gaze landed on mine again.

I shrugged. I’d do anything to get to know Nikki more, and the more time I spent with Livvy, the more curious I grew about her too.

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