“I took a call from Chris in Denver,” Gideon said. “His partner is arranging relocation to various safe houses for the ones that don’t have family or income. He will cover medical costs and therapy, and I’ve offered financial assistance. Those who wish are being reunited with family.”
I nodded in relief. Officially, our friends owned a security company. But they also rescued vulnerable Littles that might fall through the cracks of the regular system. They’d been doing this for longer than us. In fact, it had been helping them out that had gotten us involved in the first place, but we were all definitely on board now.
“How’s Clare?” Dion asked, and I smiled as I watched her giggle over something Abby said.
“Remarkable,” I said honestly. Dion smiled, finished his beer, and stood up. His two dogs immediately did the same. He waved to the girls, then left. We watched him go.
“Have you heard from Walker?”
“He’s back in Destin. His gran raised him, as you know, but I think it’s just a case of keeping her comfortable now.”
I was surprised Gideon managed to get that bit of information out of him, and I was sorry for my friend. I noticed Clare yawning, which set Abby off and they both giggled. I fingered Clare’s popsie in my pocket, and knew Gideon had noticed his Little girl’s yawn because he stood up. Not that Abby did anything without Gideon noticing. I stood and followed him to the girls and Clare looked up and smiled. “Look Daddy, we made a daisy chain.” I reached out and pulled her to her feet, admiring her new daisy necklace.
“Time to go home, princess,” I said, brushing my lips over hers.
As I pulled her close, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. We still had challenges ahead—Rice was still out there somewhere even running from the Bratva, and Clare's healing journey was far from complete. But in this moment, with her hand in mine and her eyes shining with trust and love, I knew we could deal with whatever came next.
"Home," Clare agreed, her voice soft and sure. "Our home."
We said our goodbyes to Abby and Gideon, promising to meet up again soon. As we walked back to our house, Clare's hand tucked securely in mine, she looked up at the evening sky, where the first stars were beginning to appear.
"Make a wish, Daddy," she said, pointing to a particularly bright one.
I gazed down at her, this extraordinary woman who had fought through so much darkness. Who had faced her greatest fear and emerged stronger. Who had chosen to share her life, her heart, her vulnerability with me. I would give her the world when she was ready for it.
"I don't need to," I told her honestly. "I already have everything I could wish for."
Clare stood on tiptoes to kiss me, her daisy chain tickling my neck as she wrapped her arms around me.
"Me too, Daddy," she whispered against my lips. "Me too."
Chapter Twenty
DION
I was ashamed that I’d had to leave Gideon’s, even though I knew both my friends would understand. I was happy for them all, I’d just been on my own for a long time. I’d only met Emily once in difficult circumstances, but I was desperate to get to know her. I smiled to myself as I remembered how she’d threatened to castrate that guard, and I knew immediately if we were right and she was a Little, she’d be a brat.
But how would I ever get the chance to find out? After going through something so traumatic she wasn’t likely to trust a stranger any time soon. Although both Gideon and Max hadgotten Abby and Clare to do just that. So there might be a tiny sliver of hope.
I’d walked home to give the dogs time to stretch their legs, but my phone buzzed and seeing it was Eric, I answered immediately.
“That shelter you asked me to investigate?” he said. I frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, you wanted to make sure to let you know if they needed extra donations.” Which was true. I kept a few different ones afloat anonymously.
“So I checked in. Just thought you’d like to know one of the women we rescued, Emily Carter, is back on the volunteer roster for next Friday.”
I came to a complete stop and both Hades and Anubis stopped immediately and turned to look at me. “She’swhat?”
“Their roster is electronic, and her name is still flagged because we were looking for her.”
“She’s gone back to the shelter,” I repeated. Less than a week after being rescued from a kidnapper and trafficking situation? Which meant, if she was back volunteering, it was likely she was back at work. She was remarkable.
“Yeah,” Eric said, “and just so you know, there’s an open day on Friday if you’re interested.
I smiled.Interested?Was I ever.
