Chapter 279

“Amy…” Toya followed me into the house, but Carly pulled her head up. She pointed at the wall beside the door. “Daddy said your friends would need robes, so we have them up and waiting for them.” Her little voice was barely above a whisper as I kept walking. They would figure it out.

I headed directly upstairs. I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going, but I knew I didn’t want to deal with that man right this second. Anyone, really. But I was in charge of this little girl now, and she needed me. I hit the landing and stared into each room. There were so many bedrooms up here. “What the hell.”

“Daddy said we would need the rooms until everything settled down. Your friends are going to be here with us until you find your way.” Until I find my way. My stomach clenched. Carl saw all of this. He knew exactly how he was going to die, and he prepared for it all, fully knowing it would never be long enough with his daughter.

“Which room is your bathroom?” I looked and found none in the hall.

“Daddy made bathrooms attached to my room and his…yours. The other bathroom is downstairs.” Then, as if all that was too much, she started crying again, her new reality sinking in. I closed my eyes, holding her closer to my chest.

“Okay. It’s going to be okay.” I headed to her room, a bubblegum pink room with princess curtains. “Your room is beautiful. Your daddy wanted to make sure you knew exactly how much he loved you.” I looked around the room and stopped when I saw a glass box stuffed full of letters. The one on top addressed to Carly, for your seventh birthday. I felt my stomach sink. She was only six.

Her sobs got me moving again. I kicked the door shut and crouched down with her still in my arms. I turned the bath on and made sure the temperature was perfect, then I waited for it to fill, adding bubbles to make it a little more comforting.

“Come on, baby girl. Time for a bath.” Her sobs continued as I pulled her from my chest. I kissed her head and helped her into the tub. As soon as she hit the water, it turned pink, and I cursed. How had I not thought of that? I pushed on. I grabbed a cup from the tub lip, and I poured cups of warm, bubbly water over her curls. Her blonde hair dried a dark rust color from the blood.

There was a knock on the door, and it swung open. Toya, freshly washed and in a robe, stood in the doorway. “The girls are all taking a shower downstairs. We found the robes she told us about.”

I nodded as I poured more water into her hair. Then I grabbed the shampoo. I gave a tiny smile when the scent hit me: strawberry, just like I loved to use.

We will go back to using it again once all of this is said and done. Nix spoke up for the first time since I pushed forward. I miss it.

Megan agreed, but she stayed back. Our pup needs you right now, Amy, not us. Her voice was soft, but her words struck a chord.

Our pup. She was ours now. Her father had joined her mom, and I was all she had left. And my wolves accepted her instantly. Tears welled up in my eyes. Thank you, I sent back to them, but they just shook their heads.

Foolish girl, she was meant to be ours. Can’t you feel it? Nix came a bit closer, and Megan joined her. I felt them reach out to Carly, and her sobs quieted a little.

“I can do this.” Toya nodded toward her in the tub, but I shook my head.

“I think…I know. We need this. All of us.” I looked over my shoulder, and Toya nodded.

“He’s still outside.” Her words were soft.

“And there he can stay.” My words held a bite. I closed my eyes as I scrubbed the shampoo through Carly’s hair.

“You gave a promise.” Toya leaned against the door frame.

I let out a deep sigh and I gave a nod. “She said I could be angry. And I am.”

Toya nodded. “But…” She stared at me with knowing eyes.

“But when I’m less angry, I will listen. I gave my word.” I looked at her again. “But that doesn’t mean it is going to be anytime soon.” She snorted out a laugh.

“I’ll send him away.” I nodded once more, then rinsed out the shampoo.

“Okay, baby girl. We need to drain this yucky water and start fresh.” I pulled the plug and watched as the rusty water drained away.

She looked up at me with swollen eyes. “He’s gone.”