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“What the fuck’s wrong, Rose?” he asks, demanding, his voice one I know never to mess with. Shit, he’s going to kill.
I take in air, pressing my lips together, pulling out and facing his straight face that’s a whisper from transforming into anger. “Um,” I peek past him again briefly, cringing. “Do not react,” I demand, taking his jaw and directing his face to mine when he tries to look over his shoulder.
“You’re beginning to piss me off.”
“Your mom’s dancing with Otto.”
The widening of his eyes tells me all I need to know, and I quickly scan the vicinity for backup, holding on to him. “No, she fucking isn’t,” he growls, gently prizing me away.
“Hey,” I snap, yanking him back into me aggressively, forcing him to look at me. “Leave it,” I warn, trying my hardest to meet his fierce expression.
“Or else?” he asks, somewhere between interested and caution.
“Or else you’ll be sleeping with the dogs.”
He recoils, stunned, but I stand firm. “Pardon me?”
“You heard, Black.” I settle back into his shoulder. “She’s not just your mother, she’s a woman.” A very attractive woman, still in her prime. I find them again on the dance floor, smiling as Otto whisks her gently around. She’s laughing, her face alive, her smile so bright. And in that oyster gown, she looks incredible. She has a banging body for a woman her age. It was only a matter of time before a man plucked up the courage to make a move. Hats off to Otto. “You will leave it.”
“Okay,” Danny agrees quietly. “But just keep me facing this way.”
I relax, my worry stowed for now, because there’s not a chance in hell Danny’s thoughts on it will go unsaid. I spy Beau guiding a reluctant James to the floor, the man looking as uncomfortable as a man could be. But he’ll dance with her. He’d do anything for her. And her world revolves around him. God, she needs some joy though. She tucks herself into his front, her cheek under his neck, his hand stroking up and down the material of her scarred arm. She looks peaceful. I hate that it’s a veil.
I watch them, feeling their despair as well as I’ve ever felt my own. James pulls back, his chin hitting his chest to look down at her. Did she just stagger? I frown, and it happens again. Mild, but a definite totter on her heels. “I think Beau’s drunk,” I say, linking my arm around Danny’s neck, unable to get close enough to him, remembering the one and only time I’ve seen him absolutely inebriated. It was heartbreaking. It was relieving. It was the moment I unequivocally knew I was soul crushingly in love with the monster. But it was only soul crushing because I didn’t think I could have him and every devastating piece of him.
Yet here I am. I have the monster. I have my lost boy. I have our baby growing in my tummy.
All in a red dress that I love.
I don’t know whether it’s because it’s the first time today that I’ve had to think, but I wonder with reluctance whether this is the calm before the storm. “Thank you for an amazing day,” I whisper. He doesn’t answer, just holds me closer. But what happens tomorrow? I can’t forget Danny’s words. He has a way out. When might that happen? Do I want to know? Do I need to know? Damn my curiosity. “What’s the way out, Danny?” I ask, mentally scorning myself and my need.
“Shhhh,” he says, all soothing, rubbing his face into the crook of my neck. It doesn’t ease me at all. The fear is deep, and it’s rising. He can hardly blame me after what I went through the last time he found a way out.
“Danny, I want to know.” I need to prepare.
“No, you don’t.”
“I do,” I grate, getting fired up. “I need to know.”
He shakes his head. “No, Rose.”
“Danny, tell me.” The more he evades me, refusing me information, the more I’ll worry. The more the fear is stoked. I wrench myself away and look at him. His expression is cut. Frustration. Annoyance. I stand firm. “Tell me.”
“No.”
“Damn it, Danny,” I hiss, trying to keep my anger and volume contained. “Tell me.”
“Fine,” he snaps, moving in and yanking me to his body violently. “For our peace, for you, me, Daniel, and our baby to walk away from this fucking shitstorm,” he says quietly, everything about his persona and words hiking up my dread. “He wants James.”
My heart slows in my chest, my eyes darting to Beau and James on the dance floor. “What?” I murmur, my body refusing to move now, our swaying bodies static.
“That’s our way out.” Danny holds me with one arm, and the next thing I know, Daniel’s with us, and Danny has his arms around all of us. All three of us. I kiss his head and then look at my husband. Adoration. Reverence. That’s what I see in his expression. Love for his wife and children.
