Page 89 of The Temptation

Why do I feel this strange connection to her?

Why is her tiny presence yanking on my fucking heartstrings?

Maybe because I was her once.

And I can only guess what horrors she’s already seen at the hands of the woman who gave birth to her.

I clear my throat, snapping back into myself.

“Why are you here?” I bark.

Dominic rubs the back of his neck. “I’m in a bit of a jam.”

I narrow my eyes. “What kind of jam?”

“The boss wants me in Wyalong.”

I nod as a sick feeling settles in the pit of my gut. We’vealready lost three men to those fuckers, and I can only hope the others aren’t walking into a trap.

“When are you heading out?”

“We’re leaving in an hour, but my neighbour, the one who usually watches Lil’ Peach for me while I work, is out of town until tomorrow. So, I was wondering?—”

“Oh my God, yes,” Lucia screeches, cutting him off. “Of course, we’ll look after her for you.”

My gaze snaps in her direction, and the excitement on her face pisses me off. “We will?”

Lucia’s eyes narrow slightly, and I swear my cock twitches in my pants. “I’m more than capable of taking care of her on my own.”

I don’t doubt that for a second.

“It’s just until tomorrow,” Dominic says. “Mrs B will be home midmorning. She can take over from there.”

“Mrs B?”

“My neighbour.”

“I hope you weren’t stupid enough to disclose our whereabouts.”

“Of course not,” he grumbles, sliding the tiny pink backpack off his shoulder and holding it out to me. “I wrote her number and address on a piece of paper. It’s in the front pocket. She’s happy to meet you somewhere if you don’t want to drop her off at the house.”

I wince slightly as I snatch the glittery bag out of his hand, letting it hang limp by my side.

Lucia’s eyes flicker between me and Dominic, and I know she can feel the tension hanging thick in the air. The truth is, I’m not even sure why I’m pissed.

Is it because he showed up here unannounced? Or is it this kid? This wide-eyed, quiet little human, who’s stirring up shit I’ve buried so deep I forgot it was even there?

It’s probably a bit of both, but underneath the frustration,there’s something else too, something more challenging to admit … admiration.

I respect the hell out of him because he showed up for this little girl. My uncle was there for me at times, usually when my mother was locked up. For the majority of my life, though, I was left to go it alone. I could’ve used a man like Dominic when I was young. Someone more permanent.

I can only imagine how hard this has been for him, because I know what I’ve been through with my mum, and some of that shit still haunts me. He could’ve walked away; most people would’ve. But he planted himself right in the middle of the fallout and put that kid first. That takes guts.

“I have some more of those cookies inside,” Lucia says, crouching back down in front of the kid. “Would you like to come inside and have some cookies and a glass of milk?”

Lucia holds out her hand, and Peach hesitates as she looks up at her uncle. When he nods, her tiny fingers curl up for a second, but then she reaches out and takes it, and I find myself releasing the breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding.

“Have you eaten, Dom?” she asks, standing to her full height.