Page 48 of Dagger

Ellie left out a lot of details, but I could guess that something bad happened to Mel. “Did Dani get to say goodbye properly?”

She shook her head. “She was only a baby.”

“I lost my mom when I was Dani’s age. My dad fell apart, and it was impossible to grieve. It never gets easier.”

“It doesn’t, but you’ve worked wonders with her. She’s so open and happy,” Ellie said as her gaze slid to where she happily chatted with Ashlyn and Sophie, while Leo tried to get Chopper to do tricks. “She’s finally sharing her light with the world.”

“Do any of you have photos of Mel? Any belongings that Dani could have?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll ask around and let you know.” She smiled. “They’re both lucky to have you.”

Mrs. Winters had said the same thing, and while I knew they meant it as a compliment, I couldn’t help but wonder if Dagger really was lucky to have me or if all of this was him doing what he needed to do for his daughter. Was it me or was it a good dad helping his kid by any means necessary?

Doubts plagued me for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, wondering if, once again, I’d foolishly stumbled into a situation that was guaranteed heartbreak. I knew I was probably overthinking things, but it was hard to shake off those negative thoughts.

That’s what I kept coming back to, Dani. She was an innocent little girl who’d lost her mother far too young and had basically lost her father too. She deserved whatever help,whatever attention, whatever love I could give her. She deserved it and I would give it to her freely and honestly.

But maybe I needed to be more cautious where her father was concerned.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Dagger’s deep voice sounded beside me as if I’d conjured him up by sheer force of will.

I let out a startled gasp and turned to him. “Nothing worth a penny,” I assured him, and stood to stretch my stiff muscles.

“You sure?”

I nodded and looked away. My problems weren’t his and I’d gotten pretty good at keeping my own counsel over the years. “Yep.”

His jaw clenched and it looked like he wanted to say more, but he just nodded and walked off to get Dani. It was getting late, and her eyelids were drooping, a sure sign that her day of playing with friends had worn her out.

The car ride back to Dagger’s house was awkward in its silence, but for once in my life I didn’t feel the need to fill it with words. My own thoughts were a jumbled mess of emotions and worries, and fear over the person who’d forced me into close quarters with the man who might destroy me.

“What’s wrong, Sinclair?” Dagger asked, his voice full of worry.

“Nothing.” I turned to face him with a tired smile. “What’s up?”

I knew he wanted to say more, but he didn’t, simply nodded and moved on. “We learned that the Dead Ravens are the ones who trashed the tattoo parlor. Ever heard of them?”

“I’ve only been in town a few months,” I told him. “I don’t even know all the teachers at school yet. You think they had something to do with the brick through my windshield, and that bunch of flowers with the threatening note?”

Dagger shrugged, “I don’t know. If you’ve never had anything to do with them, I don’t know why they’d target you. We’re going to get some answers tonight. Attempt to, anyway.”

I swallowed hard, ignoring the fear that pulsed through me. “You’re going to get answers?”

He nodded.

“You’ll be careful, right?” My heart pounded against my chest as Ellie’s words came back to me. This life might be good and normal most of the time, but when it wasn’t, it really wasn’t. “Right?”

Dagger nodded and stepped closer, shortening the gap between us with every long stride. “I will be careful,” he whispered softly. “I promise.”

“Okay. Good. Great.” I nodded, because I couldn’t do anything else. What if he died trying to get answers about who’s stalking me? Could I live with myself if I was the reason Dani lost her father?

“Don’t go worrying yourself about me, Sinclair.” His words were smooth, almost honeyed as one hand sifted through my hair and the other cradled one side of my face. “I’ll be back home tonight.”

“You don’t know that,” I insisted, trying to step back, away from his touch. Away from his warmth.

“Don’t run from me.” His voice was a deep growl, commanding and sexy as hell.

“I’m not,” I insisted, but before the words fully left my lips, his mouth was on mine in a punishing kiss. His lips were firm. Insistent. Deliciously appealing as he tilted me back and devoured my mouth as if I was his.

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