AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Once we’re inside, Dominic lets out a long breath. “I’m going to make myself some tea and read for a bit. Do you want any?”
“Sure,” I say, settling onto one of the stools at his kitchen counter.
I watch as he fills the tea kettle and lights the stove. It’s been so long since I’ve spent time with Dominic. The last week or so has been nice, but weird—just like now. The silence between us isn’t heavy, but it’s not relaxed, either. And if he’s worried about Xander, he’s not showing it. Instead, he moves calmly, fluidly, as he gets two mugs and teabags.
It looks like he’s about to say something when the doorbell rings, followed by pounding on the door. A small, high-pitched voice cries out. “Mister Dominic! Mister Dominic, please help!”
Tossing the mugs onto the counter, Dominic rushes to the door and yanks it open. A little girl, no older than six, stands on the porch in a purple nightgown.
“Rosie, what’s wrong?” Dominic kneels down, taking her hands in his.
She bursts into tears. “It-it’s Auntie. She’s breathing funny, and she—” Rosie starts sobbing, her face scrunching up.
The color drains from Dominic’s face. Scooping Rosie into his arms, he takes off, heading for the house across the street. I follow, grateful we hadn’t even had time to take off our shoes yet.
“Where is she?” Dominic asks as he crosses the threshold into the house.
Rosie points. “Please don’t let her die.”
“Jade,” Dominic shouts, running up the stairs and down a hallway. He sets Rosie down and rushes into a room.
Jade. That’s the woman who posted that picture of Dominic online, just for it to disappear.
I hear a startled cry, and then Dominic’s soothing voice. Rosie stands in the doorway, still sobbing. When I reach her, I find Dominic checking over a woman who’s sitting on the floor next to a bed.
She’s looking at Dominic with a hollow, red-eyed stare that I’d recognize anywhere. Her breaths are shallow and quick.
“Jade, what’s wrong? What’s going on?” Dominic strokes her brown hair back from her face.
“She’s having a panic attack,” I say, kneeling next to Rosie. I squeeze the little girl’s shoulder, whispering, “She’s gonna be okay. I promise.”
“What do you need?” Dominic’s voice is calm. “Do you want me to stay with you?”
Tears are streaming down Jade’s face, but she manages to nod. Dominic sits next to her, putting an arm around her, stroking her cheek.
“Auntie,” Rosie whimpers. She leans into me, but she doesn’t take her eyes off of Jade’s shaking form.
“She’s gonna be okay, Rosie,” Dominic says, giving her a quick glance. Then his attention is back to Jade. “You can get through this. I know you can.”
Rosie turns and runs from the room, still sobbing. I follow, worried that hearing her crying will just make Jade feel worse. She disappears into a room with pink walls, a nightlight illuminating her face. As she plops onto the floor, she grabs a stuffed bunny and hugs it to her chest.
After a few sobs, she throws the bunny onto the floor. “This is all daddy’s fault. He called her, and then she started crying and breathing funny.”
I frown. “Your dad?”
“He makes her cry every day.”
Biting my lip, I squeeze her hand. “I know it’s hard. But just know that Jade is gonna be okay.”
Rosie looks up at me with the biggest, most innocent brown eyes I’ve ever seen. “I want to move away.”
“To get away from your dad?”
She nods. “I hate him.”
I raise my eyebrows. That’s a strong word for a little kid. But I don’t deny it’s what she’s feeling.
I stay with Rosie until she’s done crying. She curls up in my lap, sniffling, until her breaths even. When I look down, her eyes are closed, and her features have relaxed.
