Page 67 of Dancing in the Dark

“But we want Fifi to stay wif us.” She drops her lower lip into a pout. “If Jordy’s dad invites her to his house, then she won’t have time to come to ours anymore.”

“If Fifi wants to spend time with someone else, then she can.”

“But—”

“The best part about spending our time with really good, really dependable, loyal, decent people is that even when they’re given a chance to go be with someone else, they’ll likely still choose us anyway. As long as we’re good to them, they won’t ever feel the need to go elsewhere.” I tap the end of her nose and earn a cautious grin from the girl who desperately doesn’t want to lose her friend. “Fifi loves you so much, baby. I reckon she’ll choose you no matter who else is offering.”

“I’m not saying there’s anything weird about the meeting spot you chose today, Detective, but I’m saying…” Cato glances two buildings along. “It sure is interesting that we’re right outside Miss Fifi’s apartment, huh?”

“We are?” Mia spins in my arms and stares up at Sera’s building. “We are!”

“Figured we could drop in and tell her hello.” I grip Mia’s jaw and draw her back around until I’m looking into a pair of eyes matching mine exactly. “I saw her earlier today at work, and she told me to call her when I was done. She also said to tell you hello.”

Her eyes light up. “She did?”

“Uh huh. I tried to call her when I walked out of work, but it went to voicemail, so I figured…”

“Surprise visit,” Cato snickers. “I’m sure it’ll go exactly how you want it to go.” He swings the strap of Mia’s purple backpack over his shoulder and turns. “Let’s roll. I fink Miss Fifi is beauuuuuutiful, too. I wanna get a peek.”

I snatch Mia’s bag and gesture him away. “I got it from here, Malone. We don’t need you anymore.”

“Ha. You’re funny.” He scoops Mia straight out of my arms and monkeys her onto his back. Galloping in place, he becomes a giggling girl’s stallion. “My afternoon is clear, and my lawyer said I needed to put in the hours with McStinkerson before I can apply to the courts for her change of residence.”

I roll my eyes and feel, for just a second, a lance of panic spearing through my blood at the thought of him taking her. At the prospect of losing her to her much cooler, much more fun quasi-uncle.

But then I remember who the hell he is, and who he’s related to.

He’s not taking her from me. He’s just soaking up every minute he can, because she’s the epitome of innocence, and innocence is… not something any of the Malone brothers ever experienced while living in New York.

“Come on, Detective. You’re slowing us down.”

“Mmhm.” I swing the strap of Mia’s bag over my shoulder and fall into step beside them, two doors down, then into the cooled lobby. We make our way up the stairs, Cato’s pointed elbow bumping my chest. Mia’s spindly arms choking the life out of the poor kid who needs air to live.

“Just get out of my apartment, Anderson! Jesus. Leave already!”

My heart catches, and beside me, Cato freezes. His eyes flare wide and adrenaline fires through his veins.

“Just listen to me for a second!” Markum argues. “Stop being so hardheaded and let me speak.”

“Take her outside. Right now.” I lob Mia’s backpack to the floor and shove Cato around. “Don’t bring her back in until I say you can.”

“Daddy?” With tears already in her eyes, Mia releases her choke hold on Cato’s neck and reaches out for me. “I wanna stay wif you, Daddy.”

“Outside!” I snatch my gun and stare at Cato. “Tell me you’ve got it under control.”

“I’ve got it under control.” He jogs down a full flight in under a second, spinning at the landing and taking out his phone as he moves. “Keep it tight, Detective. Keep it above board. I wanna steal Moo from you like a man. I don’t want her to be handed to me because you snapped and landed your ass in prison.”

“Yeah.” The instant they disappear onto the next flight, and then the next one after that, I turn back to Sera’s apartment door.

“Let me go!” Her voice comes out on a grunt. A growl. “Anderson, I swear to God⁠—”

I stalk toward Sera’s door, fully prepared to lift my leg and put my boot straight through it, but I test the knob first and twist it with ease. Where I expect resistance, I receive entry. Shoving it wide, I charge in with my piece held high and find Anderson’s veiny hand wrapped tight around Sera’s wrist.

“What the fuck?” I draw my weapon three inches to the left. Bullseye. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Markum?”

He releases her like she’s made of electricity, his eyes blowing wide and, as I start forward, all the furious red in his face draining instantly white. “Wh-what⁠—”

“Charlie! No.” Sera springs around the prick and throws herself into my path. Our chests clash and my gun points immediately to the floor. Tears sprinkle over her cheeks, and fuck, her lips are pale. “Please leave it alone.” She wraps her arms around my torso and plasters her body to mine. “Please,” she begs, digging her heels in and trying fruitlessly to slow my forward progression. “Please stop, Charlie. Look down here.” She whimpers. “Look down at me.”