Page 30 of Demon
I give her a sharp nod. I knew it, but it makes me second guess myself. Why am I pushing to get involved with someone who is more dangerous than my ex? But he’s not to me. Does that make it any better? I shouldn’t want him. I sigh. Lord have mercy on my soul because I do... I do...a lot.
“Come on, let’s go downstairs. Would you like a few cocktails to ease the nerves?”
I hesitate. “Thanks, but I’d better not.”
I follow Sophie downstairs and go in search of Sammy. She’s at the kitchen counter, leaning back on the stool with her hands on her stomach, sitting next to Jett. I smother a laugh. “Full, are you?”
She slowly bops her head. “I think my tummy’s going to burst.”
Ava and Elena chuckle while they’re putting the dishes away.
“Did you say thank you?” I ask.
“Thank you,” Sammy says.
Ava smiles wide. “It’s no problem at all.”
“Where am I sleeping?” asks Sammy.
“Upstairs in a room with me.”
She groans.
I laugh. “Hey. Don’t you like sleeping with me?” That hurt a bit. She’s growing up too fast.
I don’t miss the little roll of her eyes. “I like having the whooole bed to myself.”
I huff.Unbelievable.“Well, too bad. You’re sleeping with me.”
“Is there any type of food you two don’t eat? Just so I can keep in mind what meals to make?” asks Ava.
I raise my hands. “Oh no, don’t worry about us. We’ll eat it, or I’ll just get us some toast or something easy.”
Ava shakes her head. “Please tell me. I know it’s not easy being scared.” She glances at Sammy and lowers her voice. “I can only imagine how much more difficult that is with a child. So, if there’s anything I can do to better your stay, please let me know.”
* * *
The afternoon goes by quickly.I help the ladies with a late lunch, and we spend the time fussing over Sammy, drawing pictures with her, letting her share stories of our time in Crown Village, and I watch her spend time with the dog, called Conan. I must admit it’s sweet watching the relationship she’s building with the dog already. I didn’t consider how much an animal could benefit her.
Ava comes out toward Elena, Sammy, and me with ham in her one hand and a bottle of liquid in the other. Conan is watching her every move, drooling. Ava looks at Sammy. “Would you like to help us wash Conan?”
Sammy nods enthusiastically, then scrunches her nose. “He does stink.”
Elena laughs. “He does, doesn’t he?” Elena walks toward the hose and turns it on.
Conan jumps, then barks at the water.
“Conan,” Ava says. “Sit.”
He sits, very obedient when it comes to food. He has his eyes on the prize. Elena washes his coat with the water. Ava gives him ham. “Good boy,” she says and pats the top of his head.
Elena squeezes out the yellow liquid over Conan’s coat, and I watch, thoroughly amused, as the three of them scrub him. He sits with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, enjoying the attention. I peer over to see Jett sitting on the back table, watching us. He’s never too far away. He’s always got his eye on us.
The day’s been a blur of faces, but tomorrow I plan to formally introduce myself to the other members of the club and the women who live here, considering Sammy and I are the guests living in their home.
After the sun goes down, Sammy has a bath and gets into her pajamas and ends up falling asleep in bed only minutes after she gets in next to me. Hearing footsteps, I look up to see Jett standing in the door frame watching us.
“Dinner’s ready,” he says quietly.
