Page 73 of Fighting Shadows

“Cupcake,” Dominic mutters just as I’m scraping my plate clean, looking almost nervous.

“Mhmm?”

“Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?” he asks, a red flush creeping up his neck, cheekbones, and ears.

“I’d love that!”

“Perfect. I’ll be back soon; be ready for me.” He leans over, kisses my cheek, and runs from the room.

Chapter 38

Dominic

‘Babydoll - Oscen’

I’m nervous, and I don’t always feel this way, but I want her to love this.

I can flirt with her relentlessly and bury my head between her thighs, eating her pussy for hours until she’s screaming my name but taking her on a date is making me sweat.

I miss my knife, the soothing motions when I flipped it between my fingers, no longer a crutch I have to rely on, but I don’t regret hiding it away in her dad’s safe even when I would have felt better having it at the bottom of that lake.

No, she comes first.

Always.

I’m idling around outside of Zander's house, ours now since we’ve all moved in without asking, but I refuse to be away from Cupcake for another day after she was taken.

My bike rumbles between my legs, and I’m excited to have Autumn clinging to me while I drive, her body molding around mine, her hands roaming…

The front door opens, and Autumn’s face lights up when she sees me on my bike. She’s wearing her favorite skinny blue jeans with the rip at the knee and her grey jumper that I’m sure she stole from me. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and I want to let it out of the band, to let her feel the wind rushing through it while I drive.

“Want to go for a ride, Cupcake?” I ask her.

She nods, her bottom lip disappearing between her teeth.

“Climb on, then,” I say, winking at her and getting a rush of satisfaction when her neck turns red from the blush that I know travels over her entire body. It’s one of my favorite things to do, to see how far I can make it spread.

She swings her leg over the seat, settling behind me, and Zander comes over, fastening the helmet on her head and looking at me sternly, “Keep her safe,” he orders, “Lean with him when he drives, and if you need us, call.”

“Yes, Daddy,” I tease because I can’t help myself.

Zander grumbles, shaking his head as he walks back inside. I tap my Cupcake's leg, indicating that she should wrap her arms around me. She does as she’s told, and I rub my hand over her arm and down her hand, squeezing it, and then I take off for our date.

Autumn lets out a little squeak as we pull out of the driveway, her hands fisting in my jacket, but soon she’s enjoying herself, shouting in my ear to go faster.

The turn-off is just up ahead, and the cabin I bought just before we met her is waiting for us. Pulling up to the front, I thank Mrs. McKay, who set the place up for me when I told her I wanted to do something nice for Autumn after everything,

I feel like she needs time away from everyone, and I’m a greedy bastard who wants all of her time for myself, the old me, the one before she went missing comes back when she’s around, and the distance that’s been between us has felt like the shadows from the darkness have been pulling me apart bit by bit.

“What is this place?” Autumn asks me, pulling her helmet from her head as I turn the bike off.

“My place,” I say, “I bought it before we met you, needing somewhere to decompress after I lose myself to my work. I didn’t need it after you came along, but I figured we could use it tonight.”

“It’s beautiful,” she breathes out in awe as I lead her inside.

“Would be a lot prettier with some snow,” I mutter, sulking like a child. The cabin from where we were for Brenn’s birthday comes to mind; the snow, the fun, and the beautiful scenery make me want to book a holiday for my girl and me and flee from the country. Leave the others to deal with Charlie, and I’ll give my girl all the orgasms she needs and take her mind off of the fucking psycho who is obsessed with her.

She already has one of them; there’s no room in her life for another, and once we catch him, lure him to his demise, I’m going to make him regret ever taking my girl from me.

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