Page 4 of Dex

“Maybe. But dude, did it ever occur to you that he is just protecting her and doing whatshehas asked him to do?” I do get what he is saying but, fuck me, I need to hear her voice. I thought I felt lost when Fiona died but in my head and heart, I knew she was never coming back. But knowing that Addy is here- albeit I have no clue where- she is very much alive, and that fact is tearing me apart. I started drinking again after she left this time. Jay and Liam kicked my arse. I haven’t had a drink in four weeks. It was Liam that made me see sense this time. He told me that he would need me when Penny had the baby. It was up to Jay and me to take care of Knox and Connie. Speaking of Liam- Connie’s voice comes from out front. I know why she is here and Penny will kick my arse for it, but it’s worth it to see the smile on that little girl’s face.

“Uncle Dex, where are you?”

“Backroom, CJ.” She asked me to draw some temporary tattoos on her for a party she is going to. It’s better than these stupid arse stick-on ones that irritate the kid’s skin and look really dirty after a few hours. She bounds through the door, completely ignoring Luke, and jumps into my lap. “You are the best uncle EVER, for doing this. The girls are going to be so jealous.” Her smile is so big I swear her face will split in two.

“Hey, I heard that,” Jay says, walking into the room. Connie giggles, then jumps down from my lap before running and hugging him.

“Well I love you too, obviously, but Uncle Dex is doing the temp tattoos for me. Who are you?” she says, finally spotting Luke in the room. He offers her a smile.

“I’m Luke. Luke Baker, I work here.”

“Since when?” That’s our Connie: straight to the point.

“Manners, CJ,” Liam scolds her, from the door. She doesn’t cower from his gaze, but most men would.

“Sorry, Dad. But I want to know why he is here. So?” She turns back to Luke, hands on her hips. Little bloody madame, that one. Luke never falters. He has three younger sisters so he knows how to handle girls.

“Well, I have been here for around five weeks now. I tattoo like Dex and Jay, but I also do the piercing. You are?”

“Connie. But you can’t do the piercing, that is Addy’s job.” I knew she would bring her up, Connie is a huge Addy fan. When she found out it was my fault that Addy left, she refused to talk to me for nearly two weeks. This is why I will do anything to keep this girl happy. I never want her to cut me out again.

“I am sure that when Addy comes back, she will pick up where she left off. Don’t panic. She will be back.”

“When?” She turns her eyes to me. Fuck me, I have been blown down by a freaking ten year old.

“Soon, CJ. She just needs to sort a few things out, okay?”

I can only pray that I didn’t just lie to her. I need Addy to come back as much as CJ does. I will find her, and I will bring her back to Castle Ink.

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