Dragon Hunts

Bobby jumped from the bed in an instant. “Okay. Can Braden and I get some ice cream?”

“Sure.”

“No,” I said at the same time.

Declan shot me a sharp look. “It’s only ice cream, Jessica.” He turned to Bobby. “Go on. I’ll call Braden when your mom and I have finished talking.”

He opened the door and spoke to his brother. Bobby climbed into Braden’s car and waved at me happily. Braden threw me an unreadable look and promised me he would watch my son very, very closely and safely. The luxury sedan purred like a cat and left the driveway.

Declan closed the door, turning to me.

“Why, Jessica?” he demanded.

I bit my lower lip.

“Why did you leave me?”

I’d never seen Declan this pissed. I couldn’t blame him.

“No notes. No anything. Do you know how worried I was? I thought something had happened to you. I thought you were kidnapped by your ex!”

“I’m sorry,” I squeaked.

“And this place.” Declan brandished his hands in disgust. “This environment is not fit for a child. Do you know there are prostitutes on the street corner? And people dealing drugs a few doors over?”

“Well, sorry,” I snapped back. “It’s not like I have enough money to stay in the Four Seasons.”

Declan’s jaw twitched. He stepped closer. I took a step backwards.

“Why did you leave?”

“I didn’t want Lorenzo to hurt you.”

“I’m not a child, Jessica. I can take care of myself.”

“You’re a businessman. Lorenzo is the mob. You don’t know him.”

Declan shook his head. “So little faith you have in me.”

“I’ve seen Lorenzo beat a man into a pulp. I don’t want him to do that to you. Or your brothers. Or your family.”

“And you think by running away from me you’ll be safe from Lorenzo?”

“I’ve survived so far, haven’t I?”

“Jessica. Stop being stubborn and let me handle this. Have faith in me. In us.”

I stood rooted to the spot.

“Pack your bag. We’re leaving.”

“You leave. You’re not the boss of me. Not anymore.”

“If you care about your son, you will pack your bag and leave with us. This place is unfit for a child. He needs to be in school and socialise with kids his age. You can’t leave Bobby alone in here while you are out working. There could be a drive-by shooting and you wouldn’t know. There could be a drug addict busting down this door and robbing the place and you wouldn’t know. This place is not safe for Bobby.”

I hated his logic. Declan was always right.

“Come on. Don’t be stubborn.”