Page 811 of The Tempted

“Promise me,” I plead.

“I swear it,” he says, patting me on the shoulder. “They’re our family now too.”

“You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.”

Holding his gaze, I can spot the sincerity in his voice.

“Can I ask for something in return?”

A couple of days ago I would’ve rolled my eyes but I find myself nodding and waiting for him to speak.

“Stay safe, son,” he hoarsely asks of me.

I raise an eyebrow as his eyes plead with mine and for the first time since they showed up on my doorstep I actually start to think about him and my mom having a place in my life, in my family. I think of the future and I can see them fitting in.

“Haven’t you heard? Safety is my middle name,” I say, sliding off the desk before I return the gesture and pat him on the back. “Just ask, Kitten.”

He chuckles as I start for the door with a smile on my face. Reaching the hall, I turn and glance over my shoulder at my dad. He leans against the desk, mimicking the stance he held in that old photograph and I smile at him.

“Thanks, Dad,” I call before striding down the hallway, confident Lauren and Eric will be just fine here. My parents may have made a bunch of mistakes throughout my childhood but I couldn’t deny the change in them and how genuine their newfound love for their grandson was.

My phone rings, pulling me away from my thoughts and I swipe my thumb across the screen to answer the call.

“The Tiger speaking,” I answer.

“You take care of the family?” Blackie asks.

“Yeah, they’re good,” I reply, closing the door behind me and stepping toward the car waiting for me. “I’m on my way back,” I tell him as I climb into the car.

I stare out the window at the house that holds my family until the limo drives away from the safe haven and whisks me away to Hell.