***
I get an uneasy night’s sleep, knowing she’s so far away from me, and wake early, watching the time and wishing it was closer to twelve. I almost go back to their hotel, but decide instead to just get to Coney Island early, and sit watching the time tick by until they finally walk into the parking lot.
A second later, I’m out of my car and Pip’s eyes light up when she sees me.
“You came!” She turns to Scamp. “See? Told you.”
A little blush paints Scamp’s cheeks, beneath big round glasses that make her look cute and nerdy, and it’s the most fucking adorable thing I’ve ever seen. Her eyes turn down, just a little, her green eyes covered by long lashes as an embarrassed smile tugs at her lips, and it’s all I can do not to come in my pants right here.
“She said not to get my hopes up,” Pip continues, oblivious to what just passed between us, and Scamp’s eyes go wide as she meets mine.
I smile. “That so?”
“I only…” Scamp’s voice cuts off in her throat and she takes a deep breath, but in that moment I fall for her even more. She needs someone who won’t let her down, who keeps their promises and always puts her first. I’ll be that person for her. “Nice car,” she says, changing the subject. “You sure you want us to bring chili dogs and fries in there, Valiant?”
“It’s only a car,” I reply, laughing. “Shall we go order?”
I step in close beside them, so that I can cast my gaze on anyone that looks at them in a way I don’t like. Scamp’s wearing the most micro mini skirt in the world with another pair of laddered fishnets. It barely covers her ass and what I know will be the world’s most enticing little pussy, but while that thought already has me hard and ready for her, I don’t like the idea of anyone else seeing what’s mine, especially before I’ve had a chance to claim her for my own. I know I can’t change Scamp’s style, and I wouldn’t want to, but fuck, she needs to be aware of what that sight does to a man.
When I order for us, I go to town. How do I know how much is enough? Scamp casts me a doubtful look, but I shrug at her and earn myself a grin and an eye roll. I almost can’t resist the urge to take her in my arms and kiss away that cynicism. The only reason I hold back is because of Pip being right there.
Literally standing between us.
I try to get closer to my prize as we walk back to the car, but Pip won’t have any of it. She keeps turning and grinning at me, and I wonder how much is just sheer obliviousness to what’s going on here, and how much is a wicked side to her personality.
“Careful you don’t get any on your clothes,” Scamp says once we’re back inside the car, turning to her sister in the back, “or on Val’s leather seats.”
“I’m not five,” Pip replies, rolling her eyes, and I smile.
“I remember when you were that age,” I tell Scamp in a low voice as Pip shoves cheese fries into her mouth, closing her eyes like it’s the nectar of the gods.
“So do I. There were some days I didn’t eat at all. I don’t want that for her.”
I don’t reply to that, instead just turning away thoughtfully and taking a bite of my own chili dog. Scamp is like a mother to her little sister, and I have to wonder how long she’s been doing this and where their own mother is. And also, why their father, with all his money and power, hasn’t stepped up. Loyalty isn’t just a word, it requires actions. Where’s his loyalty to his two daughters? I remember the first time I met them, when he sent me on an errand to their house on Livernois. The place was in such a poor state I thought I had the wrong address. One of the upstairs windows was missing, and downstairs they were boarded over. The lock on the door wouldn’t have stopped anyone getting in who wanted to and there was no adult presence. They lived in squalor, just the two of them.
Even at eighteen, I was shocked that two kids were living like that. It’s why I kept coming back, even though Apollo Volos, their father, never sent me again. I brought them food, I spent time with them, I did what I could to fix up the house so it was at least secure.
Did the place become so bad that even they couldn’t stay there? Is that why they’re living in a hotel now? But the expense of that is clearly taking its toll. Pip is eating like this might be their last meal, and I wonder if there are still days when Scamp goes without.