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“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
My cock stays hard like it knows she isn’t done with it yet. Touching my forehead to hers, I resume thrusting, slow and gentle, like a lullaby.
Kissing her closed eyelids, I think of all the things she’s been denied her whole life. Things like love and joy. The awful truth of it makes me want to rip apart the fabric of time, reach into the past and pluck her from that filthy apartment, so I can carry her back to the present and raise her the right way—as my angel, my baby.
But since I can’t do that, I’ll do the next best thing: I’ll devote my life to making sure she never wants for anything, by loving her the best way I know how.
Chapter Fourteen
Jonah
I park my truck in front of Raven’s tattoo shop and wait for Teagan to finish up her workday. It’s been two weeks since she came in to get tattooed, and her ink is healing nicely. She’s already talking about getting more ink as soon as her first one’s fully healed. When I suggested we could get matching tattoos, she immediately reached for her sketchbook.
She steps out into the summer heat dressed in black leggings and a fitted purple tank—clothes she bought to match the Black Swan’s Goth-colored aesthetic. She climbs inside the truck and kisses me. I stroke the edge of her jaw.
“How was it?” I ask. Today’s Teagan’s fourth day on the job as an apprentice, and I can tell she’s a little overwhelmed.
“Exhausting.” She buckles her seatbelt and melts against the leather seat. “I can’t wait to go back tomorrow.”
“That’s my hard-working girl.” I squeeze her knee and then shift into drive.
It’s been a pleasure watching Teagan immerse herself in work that fulfills her. Working for me would’ve been just another job; what she’s found in Raven’s tattoo shop is a tried-and-true calling.
As I merge into traffic, Teagan checks her phone. “Can we stop by my uncle’s place on our way home? I need to drop something off.”
“Sure, sweetheart.” It’s been a little over two weeks since the barbecue, and I have yet to hear anything from Cal. It’s not unusual for my old partner to drop off the face of the earth while he’s working a case. I figure he’s either caught up in something, or he dug deep into Craig Moss and came up with nothing to report. “What do you need to drop off?”
“Just some money I owe him,” she says.
Now that raises my hackles. “You borrowed money from your uncle?”
“Not borrowed. It’s for the Cali trip.”
A million sirens go off in my head. How long has Teagan been giving Craig money? And why would she need to pay him at all when I already said I’d take her there myself?
“Angel, I told you I’d take you to California.”
“I know. But Craig was counting on me to help him fix up the car. I feel bad leaving him hanging.”
“How much have you given him?”
“Around a thousand, or so.”
Or so?I aim my gaze at the road and hope she doesn’t notice me white-knuckling the wheel. It’s convenient that we’re already on our way to Craig’s, because it’s long-past time I sat his ass down for a frank conversation about just what the hell he thinks he’s doing taking a thousand dollars from my little girl.
I pull into the extended stay’s parking lot, braking too forcefully as I steer into a space. My mouth is jam-packed with questions, but I keep my lip zipped as we enter the building.
Teagan eyes me warily as we step into the elevator. “Jonah, why are you looking at me like I’ve done something wrong?”
“You’re not the one who’s done anything wrong, sweetheart.” This motherfucker might be her uncle, but I’m her Daddy, and I’m not about to let my baby girl get taken advantage of by some greedy piece of shit—even if he is technically her family.
The elevator doors glide open, spitting us out onto the third floor. As we approach Craig’s room, my phone vibrates with the incoming call I’ve been waiting two weeks for.
“Go on inside,” I tell her. “I’ve gotta take this. Do not give Craig anything until I get in there, not a single dime.” She nods, though I can tell she’s confused. I round the corner so Craig won’t see or hear me when he opens the door.
I answer the call. “Tell me you looked into Teagan’s uncle.”
“That depends,” Cal says. “Where are you?”
