Page 126 of Thorns of Silence

“I’m so happy I found you,” I signed, and my heart might have melted a little. I enjoyed our bickering, but this… I thought I could love this even more. My gaze dropped to the little girl standing by Phoenix’s legs. “You too,” I told the little girl, although we’d have to figure out the whole father issue.Later.The last thing I wanted to do was spoil the moment.

The girl glared at me and I let out a heavy sigh. Like mother, like daughter. “You make my mamma cry and I’ll whoop your ass.”

I smiled, her daughter holding eye contact. Brave little thing.

I hunched down to her eye level. “Fair enough. And I promise I’ll let you.”

That earned me a smile while the little girl looked at me from beneath her dark lashes. Fuck if my black heart didn’t twitch. She was a replica of her mamma. Between that and Phoenix’s protectiveness, she’d snatched a piece of my heart already.

Kids weren’t my thing, but I knew, right there and then, that I’d lay my life down for this little girl.

“Her name is Skye,” Phoenix explained, signing with her free hand. “She’s deaf too.”

I extended my hand and Skye readily took it. “Nice to meet you, Skye. I’m Dante,” I signed and mouthed the words.

I rose to my full height to find Nix watching the two of us with an uneasy gleam in her eyes. Distrustful. I’d have to earn it, then. If what Lykos had indicated about Nix kidnapping the girl was true, maybe I’d be her accomplice and earn her trust. I’d have her back through thick and thin, right or wrong.

I’d show her they both mattered to me. We’d be a family.

A soft tug on my pants had me lowering my gaze. “Are you going to keep my mamma and me safe?”

Nix casted a look at me but quickly averted her eyes.

“Always,” I vowed.

Skye smiled, her little hands moving. “I liked my other mamma too, I’ll miss her.”

Phoenix winced but she didn’t elaborate, and all the while, Lykos’s words rang in my ears. Sasha Nikolaev’s kid disappeared and Phoenix was the last one to be seen with the little girl. Why would she take her and pass her off as her own though? I studied the girl. She was Phoenix’s spitting image. She reminded me of the two little girls who’d broken my father’s priceless vase two decades ago.

I met Phoenix’s eyes, the glint in them signaling unwavering stubbornness. It was clear she wouldn’t share anything with me. No need to pressure her. First things first, we’d get married.

“We’re going home.” Nix paled at my words, her dark lashes resting on her skin. I trailed a fingertip over her high cheekbones, enjoying the softness of her skin. She watched me, her expression vulnerable. I moved closer. “Are you okay, Nix?”

If anyone—including the Nikolaevs—had hurt her, I’d hunt them down and make them regret ever crossing paths with her.

“Why do you keep calling me Nix?”

I touched the back of her head and pulled her toward me. “Because you’re my light and darkness. My temptress.” Her eyes lowered to my lips. “Should I kiss you so you’ll remember me?”

Her eyes met mine, iridescently blue with a flicker of lust, but then she wiped her expression clear of all the feelings.

We stood still, inches from each other, her cheeks flushed with emotion and her lips tempting me, reeling me in. It had been years since I’d tasted her. Since her soft body writhed against mine.

Nix broke our stare first and looked to where Skye was skipping on one foot. She moved to lift her, but I stopped her.

“Let me.” She froze midair. Fuck, hopefully I didn’t overstep. I didn’t know much about children, and my own childhood wasn’t much of a reference. “If it’s okay with you, I could give her a piggyback ride?” Phoenix stared long and hard at me before she gave me a terse nod. “Or I could give her a ride on my shoulders?” I offered, signing.

That sold Skye and she was leaning away from her mother to come to me. I remained still until Nix gave me permission.

“Be careful,” she warned.

I softened my expression and nodded, then addressed Skye in the gentle way I recalled Mother using with Amon and me.

“Which would you like, Skye? Piggyback or up on my shoulders?” She pointed to my shoulders, smiling wildly, so I scooped her up and plopped her onto my shoulders. A happy squeal left her mouth, and I couldn’t help but smile too.

“You drop her and it’s your life.” Phoenix was a mamma bear.

“I’ll protect her with my life,” I mouthed, meaning it more than anything I’d ever said before. An expression passed Nix’s eyes. Maybe it was suspicion, but it almost looked like… pride.