Page 88 of Unwrapped

I spin fast, finally noticing Roque’s silhouette against the corner window. Shrugging, I slowly walk over. He’s staring down at the city below. I press my nose to the cold glass.

“Why are you still up?” I ask him.

“I barely sleep.”

“Nightmares?”

He smiles that dark smile of his. “Men like me don’t get nightmares, Freddie. Although, I guess I play a staring role in many other’s.”

I think about his words while I look up at the night sky. “Is that the North Star?”

He gazes up, too. “I think it is.”

“Make a wish with me?”

I’m not a man who believes in wishes.

“Why not? Everyone needs to believe otherwise what’s the point?”

His dark eyes turn to me. “I understand now. Why Dare wants to save you. You’re a special little girl, Freddie. I’m glad you believe. I’m glad no one took that from you.”

“That’s my wish for you. I’m going to make a wish for you on Christmas that you believe again.”

“Oh, Freddie. Save your wishes. Don’t waste them on me. I saved you but that doesn’t make me redeemable.”

“Did you call Dare?”

“No. But because he wanted to do this by the book. He doesn’t want anything to ruin his chances of getting you out of the system. But I run this city, Freddie. No one will ever know what happened tonight. As far as the state’s concerned—you’re still back at that house under the watch of Mrs. Jenkins.”

“Am I staying here until Dare comes back?”

“How do you feel about spending Christmas in Oregon?”

My eyes go wide. “I’ve never been anywhere. Never been outside this city before.”

“There’s a whole world out there, Freddie. And something tells me someday, you just might conquer it.”

“Maybe. At least Ill have a chance now, thanks to you and Dare. Wh-what did you do to Cooper and those boys anyway?”

“I don’t even want you to think about them ever again. It’s been handled.”

“What about Chloe? What will happen to her? She’s the only friend I have… she protected me in there…”

He studies the night sky. “She’ll be safe. I’ll see to it personally.”

“Forever?”

“Until she graduates college.”

“Thank you.”

I turn back to the tree then slowly walk back to my room and crawl under the sheets with Chloe. “You’re going to be okay, too Chloe. I promise.” I whisper to my slumbering friend. Now all that’s left is Dare. As I fall asleep, I wish that he too gets the Christmas he deserves.

20

SHILOH

“I’M SUCH AN IDIOT. Falling for the same crap… the same type of guy over and over again.” I pace in my room. I ordered dinner in after my spa appointment. My suitcase sits on my bed half-packed. I want to leave get away from Dare and his sexy smirk and sinful body.

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