Saria looks between the three of us and smiles.
“Hi, baby,” Saria says, pulling me into a hug.
I welcome her warmth and comfort. “Everything looks beautiful, Mama. Thank you.”
She giggles, then releases me, placing her hand on my cheek. “You know I want the world for you and Lion, right?”
I nod, settling on giving her a tight smile. These conversations are always too uncomfortable, and I’ve had enough of that within the last few weeks to serve me a lifetime.
Saria steps back and rests her hands on her hips. “Are you ready to jump ship?” she asks me.
I snort. “After who I just ran into, Lion’s getaway is sounding more and more appealing.”
She sighs. “We will gladly get you out of here, Malia.” A sad smile pulls at her full lips. “I hope you know that your dad, uncle, and Lion would never let anything happen to you.”
I hate this need everyone has to protect me like I’m a delicate flower. I suppose it doesn’t matter how trained and lethal I am. When you’re raised around powerful men, they take it upon themselves to protect those around them. I try to understand it, but it doesn’t make me hate it any less.
My dad would watch me gut a man and then put me in a bubble so I don’t get hurt if he could. It makes me wonder what I do that makes them think I’m weak. Sure, I’ve been a little more than overwhelmed with everything going on, but that doesn’t mean I won’t shiv a bitch for looking at me sideways.
“Nate would never put you in the position he was in with your mother,” Saria continues, pulling me from my thoughts.
The mention of my dad pulls at my chest as I remember what he said to me earlier in his office. Maybe that’s what they see when they look at me. My dad and Lion are the only people who I show my vulnerability to.
Lion nudges his arm against me, pulling me from my thoughts. “Fueled and ready to get the fuck out of dodge.” He gives me that panty-dropping smile. “Just sayin’.”
Akila and I giggle. “I’ll stick it out.” I shrug. “I’m going to go back in before my mother has a tantrum. Thank you for everything, Mama.”
Saria nods and kisses my cheek before I turn and walk back into the ballroom. Akila and Lion stay behind to talk with his mother.
Donovan catches my attention when I cross the threshold, and he smiles. I haven’t seen or talked to him since everything happened at the police department. We aren’t as close as siblings should be, and I am a little jealous that Dad’s company falls in his lap even though he doesn’t want it.
Arms wrap around my exposed leg, and my body stiffens. Looking down, there’s a small child hanging on to me for dear life. I resist the urge to shake her off as I look around for help, but no one is paying attention.
She tilts her head up and gives me a toothy smile, and I realize it’s Brooke, the girl I saved from the trap house a while ago. Dad had sent her to live with someone that works with Caine.
Brooke has her light-brown hair pinned back and a pink, frilly dress on. She looks healthier, and it makes me happy that she is being taken care of. She was malnourished and dehydrated when I found her.
“Hi, red lady,” she says with a big smile.
I open my mouth, then snap it shut. I can’t help but cringe at her touch. I can mutilate someone and not blink an eye, but the thought of a child’s hands on me? Can’t do it. This child calls me “red lady” because I was covered in blood that night.
“Brooke, come here please,” someone calls from the crowd of people, and the little girl darts off while giggling.
Donovan laughs and walks over to me, slinging his arm over my shoulder. “You okay, big sis?”
I have a problem with grudges, and if it weren’t for Donovan acting like a dumbass, I would have had more time with Liam.
I sigh. “When am I ever not okay, Captain Princess?”
He scoffs at the nickname I gave him when we were kids. He’s always been high maintenance and bossy, but I suppose he could say the same thing about me.
“Don’t do that with me,” he groans. “I’m your brother. Your blood. I know you’re not okay with this.”
Now it’s my turn to groan. “Jesus Christ, I can’t handle all these talks today. The next person to look at me with pity will lose an eyeball.”
Donovan chuckles with a shrug. “You know I’ve always looked up to you, your strength. How you seem to be able to handle things that I can’t.”
I smile. “You can tell me my dick’s bigger, it’s okay. Go ahead.”