Page 42 of March 5

"I told Brett he could take me home but refused to let me go, knowing you were here and wouldn't be at the apartment."

"That says a lot about Brett and what he thinks of you that he's already protecting you as if you're his old lady. Hopefully, whatever is going on ends soon, and we can all leave." She yawned. "It's late. I really don't want to spend the night here."

"If we do get to leave, I'll stay at the apartment with you." Mariah followed her into the storage room. "Tonight ended in a bust with Brett."

"If we don't get permission to leave, we have to stay." She handed Mariah a box of Goldfish crackers. "No one can leave, not even you."

"But—"

"Brett will have to answer for bringing you here." She softened her tone. "It'll be okay. You're safe. I'm safe. Nothing is going to happen here."

"I have to work tomorrow."

"I know." She grabbed a jar of peanut butter and soda crackers. "Me, too."

"What happens if I can't leave in time?"

"You call your mom and explain that you can't make it to the coffee shop." She sighed. "I know. It's weird, but Aunt Brooke has had to do it before, and Dania understands. You can blame Havlin—there's not much she can do. Fifty percent of her businesscomes from bikers." She laughed. "Okay, that was rude. But there's some truth in that, too."

She led Mariah to the playroom and left the treats with the mothers watching their kids. As she walked out of the room into the hallway, she almost collided with Dio.

"Whoa, princess." He held her arms until she got her balance. "Your dad wants to talk to you."

She panted as if she'd run a mile, holding on to his forearms. "Okay."

Dio looked at Mariah. "Find Brett. He can take you home."

Mariah looked between her and Dio. "Should I wait for you?"

"No, go ahead. It must be safe." She let go of Dio and hugged her middle. "I'll be home as soon as I can."

"Text me when you're on the way."

"I will."

Mariah walked down the hallway to find Brett. Skye looked at Dio, trying to understand what was going on, but he gave nothing away.

"What happened?"

"Your dad will—"

"I'm asking you." She slipped her hand into his. "You've never kept secrets from me before."

Their gazes clashed. She wasn't going to let him win. He was stubborn. But she was resilient.

"We heard a rumor that we had visitors in Seaglass Cove. We needed time to see if they were here." He smoothed the hair off her forehead. "It proved false."

"So, we're all safe," she whispered.

He nodded.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed against his chest. "Good. I don't like the idea of those I love being in danger."

He stroked her hair. His other hand landed on her lower back, holding her tight against him. She couldn't make herself let go of him. The extra precautions tonight hadn't scared her. She was surrounded by people she considered family. It seemed like forever since Dio held her, and after thinking she ruined their relationship when she tried to seduce him, she was thankful to have him near again.

"You need to find your dad." He inhaled deeply, expanding his chest.

His arms held her tighter. She swallowed hard. Her imagination either played tricks on her, or she was right. Dio wanted to touch her. He wanted to hold her. He wanted the closeness she craved, too.