AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“In my defense, she can make calls off the damn TV now. And the property has an excellent concierge service.”
“I can’t believe you.”
“I did it for good reason.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” The sarcasm in my voice is thick.
“Dare, I’m going to shoot straight with you, okay?” My sister taps manicured fingers against her chest. “I love my daughter. I do, but she’s…” Lucy curls her hand, beckoning me closer.
“What?” I groan.
She pins her lips together.
“Just say it.”
“Com’ere.” She makes the gesture again.
I’m already suffering from being in the center of her alcohol-scented breath. It takes everything in me not to plug my nose when I lean closer to my sister.
“She’s a little tyrant,” Lucy whispers. Her spit flies on my face.
I gag and wipe it off with the handkerchief in my suit pocket.
“It’s true.” Lucy wheels back. “Do you know how many nannies she ran off back home? We just got here and she’s scared off three—” My sister holds up four fingers—“professional nannies already. They were all crying when they quit. All of them. I had to pay so much money I… if I hear the word ‘emotional distress’ one more time, I’ll scream.”
I add an eyebrow raise to my frown. I approved those cash compensations, but I thought the emotional distress claims was because of Lucy. Not Talia.
“I don’t believe that,” I say stubbornly.
Talia is a little… headstrong, but she’s not mean-spirited. She’s the perfect mixture of strength, intelligence, and cuteness. Sure, she might be quick-witted, which could make other people uncomfortable. A few folks still believe children should be seen and not heard. But I think my little niece is a genius.
Geniuses have to be rejected a bit. It’s how they find their stride.
“She’s only sweet to you,” Lucy warns. “Even with me, she’s a,” my sister makes a face, “gremlin.”
“Enough about Talia.” I lift a hand. “My niece isn’t the one who got behind the wheel while drunk tonight. She’s not the one who drove her car into a building.”
Lucy chews on her bottom lip and stares at the ground.
I exhale again. “Get in the car. I’ll take you home.”
“Home?”
I glance away.
“I can… I can really go home, Dare?” Hope makes her voice as light as a flute.
I swallow hard.
Suddenly, my sister throws her arms around me.
“Luce, get off.” I try to push her away.
“I knew it. You can do anything, Dare. You’reamazing.”
Mosely appears in front of me. The flashing cop cars reflect blue and red on his tan skin which is a crisp contrast to his silver hair. Black eyes glint with discomfort.
I clear my throat and pat Lucy’s back. “You’re going to a really nice home, Luce. It’s different than the condo, but it’s just as comfortable. You’re really going to like it there.”
