34

As I walk out, Jude’s voice carries from behind my back. “I mean it, Davenport. She puts her nose where it doesn’t belong and she’ll see her maker sooner rather than later. All bets will be off.” I tilt my head in his direction and flash him a smile. “Won’t be happening. As long as you keep your fucking stalkerish tendencies in check, we’re all good.” By the time I arrived at my penthouse downtown, Dahlia was burning up. I placed her on the sofa in the living room earlier. Since then, I’ve been standing cross-armed by the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the town’s luminous skyline. What the fuck am I supposed to do? I’ve never taken care of someone else before. Except for Preston when he goes off the rails, and even then, I usually let Jude handle him while I manage the fallout. If Dahlia’s fever doesn’t come down, I’ll take her to the ER. I suppose. A whimper rips from her lips and she thrashes, her movements making the leather sofa creak beneath her. She curls her fingers, stretc