Page 17 of Passion in Bloom

No. She’ snot a child. She’s nineteen, and she’s no kid for me to comfort.

“You turn me away when I ask for a couple of bucks and now you’re going to act all concerned. Screw you.”

Her harsh attitude had yet to dissuade me. “I am concerned.”

“Too bad. Leave me alone.”

She uttered the very same sentiment I’d just told Roarke and Marty.

To leave me alone.

To let me be.

Nevaeh wanted the same thing, and as she trudged onward, walking alongside her bike and using her grip on the handlebars as a walker, I debated the wisdom in respecting her wishes. She didn’t look like she was stable and well enough to be left on her own.

And I couldn’t help but wonder if that was exactly how Roarke viewed me. Weak and obstinate to reject all help.

I have to.

I returned to my cabin, glancing over my shoulder as Nevaeh continued down the rough road toward her uncle’s place.

I have to reject all help because accepting it in the first place is how I got trapped in this hell I’ll never escape from.