Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
CHLOE
I’m warm, safe, and I feel completely at peace. Dagger’s arms are wrapped around me, strong and steady, holding me close. His chest rises and falls against my back, and I can feel the heat of his breath on my neck. His hand rests on my hip, his thumb brushing lazily against my skin. I sigh, letting myself sink further into the comfort of him.
Everything feels so right, so real.
Then, a soft cry pierces the quiet. I freeze for a moment, but Dagger stirs behind me. He presses a kiss to the back of my head, his lips lingering as his voice rumbles low and soothing.
“I’ve got him,” he whispers, his words a promise.
I watch as he pulls on a pair of sweatpants and disappears into the hallway. The sound of the baby’s cries softens almost immediately, replaced by Dagger’s low, steady voice. I close my eyes, listening to the way he talks to our son, my heart swelling with a mix of love and longing.
When he comes back, he’s holding the baby in his arms. The sight takes my breath away—Dagger, standing there with our son nestled against his chest, looking completely at ease.
“Hungry little guy,” he says with a quiet chuckle, sitting on the edge of the bed.
I sit up and reach for him, my arms aching to hold my son. Dagger passes him to me, his hands steady and careful. The baby latches quickly, his tiny hands resting against me as he nurses.
Dagger leans back against the headboard, watching us with an expression I can’t quite describe. There’s love there, yes, but also awe, like he can’t believe any of this is real.
When the baby finishes, his little body limp with sleep, Dagger reaches for him again. “I’ll put him back,” he says, brushing a kiss over my temple.
I watch as he carries our son out of the room, disappearing into the soft glow of the hallway light. The house is quiet again, and I sit there for a moment, the warmth of the moment still wrapped around me like a blanket.
Eventually, I get up and head to the bathroom. The cool tile under my feet jolts me slightly, but it’s grounding in a way. I freshen up quickly, eager to get back to bed.
When I return, Dagger is already lying down, the covers pulled back, waiting for me. He pats the empty space beside him, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
“Come here,” he says, his voice low and inviting.
I smile, crawling into bed and curling up against his chest. His arms come around me instantly, pulling me close, and I let out a contented sigh.
Then he tilts my chin up, and his lips capture mine in a kiss that’s deep and slow, filled with passion and something else—something that makes my heart race and my stomach flutter.
“I love you, Chloe,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice rough and raw.
My heart swells, and I blink back tears as I whisper, “I love you too.”
The warmth of his arms, the sound of his voice, and the love in his eyes make everything else fade away. For the first time, I feel whole.
Then the dream begins to slip away. The warmth fades, the safety of his touch dissolving into the shadows of reality. My eyes flutter open, and I’m alone. But his words linger in my chest, and even awake, I can still feel the ghost of his arms around me.
I sit on the edge of the bed, the weight of those words settling over me. I can feel the flutter again, faint but steady, like a reminder of what I’m fighting for. My baby. Our future. Starting fresh.
My mind drifts to Hawk’s offer to move in with him. It’s tempting, having someone to lean on, especially someone like Hawk, who’s always been there for me. But I know how he feels—he’s hinted at it enough times—and the last thing I want is to lead him on. My feelings are all over the place, tangled and messy. He’s my friend, and right now, that’s all I can handle.
I sigh and grab my phone off the nightstand, scrolling through rental listings for what feels like the hundredth time. My thumb hovers over the screen when something catches my eye—a little two-bedroom house. The pictures show a place that’s older but clean and well-kept, with a small yard and plenty of sunlight streaming through the windows. It’s in a good part of town, and the price is surprisingly reasonable.
My heart skips a beat as I quickly type out a message to the landlord, asking if I can come by and take a look.
I set my phone down and push myself off the bed. Today is going to be different. I make my bed, tucking the blankets neatly, then head to the bathroom for a shower. The warm water wakes me up, washing away the remnants of sleep and some of the doubt lingering in my mind.
After dressing in a simple pair of jeans and a loose sweater, I check my phone again. There’s a new message from the landlord.
Any time today works. Just let me know when you’re on your way.
I smile and type back a quick reply, thanking them and saying I’ll stop by in the afternoon.
Feeling lighter than I have in days, I grab my keys and head out, walking up the path to Sophie and Tank’s place. Sophie’s at the kitchen island when I peek through the glass door, her hair piled into a messy bun, a cup of coffee in her hand. She sees me and waves me in with a warm smile.
I step inside, the familiar scent of coffee and something sweet greeting me. I’m going to miss this. The easy mornings, the comfort of having Sophie so close. But it’s time.
“Good morning,” she says brightly.
“Morning.” I lean in and hug her, and she sets her coffee down to hug me back.
“What’s up?” she asks, sensing there’s more to my visit.
I glance around the room, then meet her eyes. “Can you and Tank come with me today to look at a place?”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “What kind of place?”
“A house,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual.
Her expression shifts, confusion giving way to something sadder. “What do you mean? You’re thinking about leaving?”
I sigh, hating the look on her face. “Come on, Soph. You know this place isn’t big enough for me and the baby. I need more space.”
She shrugs, her shoulders slumping. “I know,” she says quietly. “I just thought... I don’t know. I hoped you’d stay.”
I step closer, putting a hand on her arm. “I don’t want to leave you,” I say honestly. “You’ve been there for me through everything. But I have to think about what’s best for him.” My hand moves instinctively to my stomach.
She nods, blinking quickly like she’s trying to hide tears. “I know,” she says again, her voice softer this time. “I just... I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m not going far,” I remind her. “And you’ll still see us all the time. You know that.”
“Yeah,” she says, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, you’re right. Okay, we’ll come with you. Tank’s out back, but I’ll let him know.”
“Thanks, Soph.”
She squeezes my arm and smiles again, a little brighter this time. “You’re doing the right thing, you know. For you and the baby. You’re stronger than you think.”
Her words hit me harder than I expect, and I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thanks,” I say, my voice a little hoarse.
“Alright,” she says, clapping her hands together. “Let’s go check this place out.”
As she heads to get Tank, I glance down at my phone one more time, looking at the pictures of the little house. It might not be perfect, but it could be a start. A place for me and my boy to call home.
Sophie hands me a steaming cup of tea as I settle into the chair across from her at the kitchen island. The warm ceramic feels good in my hands, but I can’t shake the tension from my shoulders. She watches me closely, her head tilted slightly, her expression curious but cautious.
“So,” Sophie starts, leaning on the counter. “Do you want to talk about what happened with Dagger last night?”
I sigh, blowing gently over the tea before taking a sip. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“Start wherever you want,” she says, her voice gentle but steady. “I’m here. No judgment.”
I set the cup down, my fingers tracing the rim absently. “He came over, said he wanted to fix things, but it didn’t go the way he probably hoped. I told him I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for him to figure things out.”
Sophie raises her eyebrows, surprised. “You said that? To Dagger?”
I nod, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “I did. I told him we had sex, it happened, and it wasn’t a big deal.”
“Chloe,” she says, her voice full of disbelief. “That’s huge. You’ve been holding so much back from him for so long.”
“I know,” I say, my voice softer now. “And it wasn’t easy. But I couldn’t stand there and let him make me feel like I was some helpless little girl who didn’t know what she was doing. I wanted him that night, and I don’t regret it. He needed to hear that.”
Sophie looks at me for a moment, then nods slowly, a small smile breaking across her face. “I’m proud of you,” she says, her voice firm. “I mean it. That took guts, standing up to him like that.”
“Yeah, well,” I say with a shrug, “I don’t feel all that brave. I just... I don’t know where we stand now. It’s a mess.”
She reaches across the counter and squeezes my hand. “It might be a mess, but you’re handling it. And that’s more than most people would do.”
I take a deep breath, letting her words sink in. “That’s not even the whole story,” I say after a moment.
“Oh?” she prompts, sitting back with her own cup of coffee.
“I had this dream last night,” I start, staring into my tea as the memory washes over me. “Dagger was there. We were lying in bed, holding each other, and everything felt... perfect. Then the baby cried, and he got up to get him. He brought him to me, and I nursed him, and afterward, Dagger took him back to his room. When I came back to bed, he held me, kissed me, and told me he loved me.”
Sophie’s eyes soften as she listens. “Wow,” she says quietly.
“It felt so real,” I admit, my voice thick. “Like this perfect little life we could have if things were different.” I shake my head, trying to clear the lingering ache. “But it’s not real. It’s just a dream.”
She watches me for a moment before speaking. “Dream or not, it’s what you want, isn’t it?”
I don’t answer right away, my chest tightening at the question. “I don’t know,” I say finally. “It’s what I think I want, but I don’t know if it’s what’s best. For me. For him.”
Sophie nods slowly, giving me space to breathe. “And Hawk?” she asks after a moment.
I groan, rubbing a hand over my face. “Hawk. He offered to let me move in with him. Said it’d be easier for me and the baby.”
“That sounds... generous,” Sophie says carefully.
“It is,” I agree. “But we both know he wants more than friendship. He said he’s fine waiting until I’m ready, but I can’t do that to him. I can’t move in knowing he feels that way when I don’t even know how I feel about anything right now.”
Sophie tilts her head, studying me. “So, what are you going to do?”
I take a deep breath, meeting her gaze. “I’m going to get a place for me and my son,” I say firmly. “That’s all I can focus on right now. Everything else—Dagger, Hawk, all of it—it’ll have to wait.”
Sophie nods, her expression a mix of pride and sadness. “You’re doing the right thing, Chloe. Putting yourself and the baby first. That’s what matters.”
I smile faintly, her words giving me a little more strength. “Thanks, Soph. And thanks for coming with me today. It means a lot.”
She waves me off with a grin. “What are friends for? Now, come on, let’s go find you a house.”
Tank pulls his big black truck into Sophie and Tank’s driveway, and I climb into the back while Sophie hops into the passenger seat. “It’s nice that the place is so close,” Sophie says, glancing back at me as Tank starts the truck.
“Yeah,” I agree, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “Five minutes away is perfect.”
Tank grunts, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. “Let’s hope it’s as good as it looks in the pictures.”
I nod, my fingers playing nervously with the hem of my shirt. I can feel Sophie’s eyes on me, but she doesn’t say anything, and I’m grateful for it.
The drive is quick, the neighborhood quiet and well-kept. When we pull up to the little house, I feel a flutter of excitement in my chest. The yard is tidy, with a small flower bed near the porch. It’s older, sure, but it has character—a cozy vibe that makes me hopeful.
A car is already parked in the driveway, and as we get out, a man steps out of the car. He’s in his mid-thirties, maybe, with a slightly receding hairline and a friendly, if nervous, smile. His gaze lands on Tank as he climbs out of the truck, and the man’s eyes widen slightly, like he wasn’t expecting someone so... massive.
I step forward, smiling to break the tension. “Hi, I’m Chloe,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m the one who messaged you earlier. Thanks for showing us the house today.”
He takes my hand and shakes it quickly, his smile twitching nervously as his gaze flickers back to Tank. “Uh, I’m Eddie. I own the place,” he says, pulling out a ring of keys from his pocket.
“These are my friends, Sophie and Tank,” I add, gesturing to them.
“Will you all be living here?” he asks, his tone careful but curious.
I laugh, shaking my head. “No, just me and my son. They’re just here for moral support.”
He visibly relaxes, nodding. “Ah, okay. Good to meet you all.”
“Likewise,” Tank rumbles, his voice low and even, though his presence alone is enough to keep Eddie on edge.
“Alright,” Eddie says, fumbling slightly with the keys as he heads toward the front door. “Let’s go take a look.”
We follow him inside, and the moment I step through the door, I feel a sense of relief. The pictures didn’t do it justice. The living room is bright and open, with freshly painted walls and clean floors. It’s not fancy, but it’s exactly what I need—simple, cozy, and welcoming.
Eddie leads us through the house, pointing out little details as we go. “The kitchen was updated a couple of years ago,” he says, gesturing to the cabinets and countertops. “New appliances, too.”
I nod, running my hand along the smooth countertop. “It’s perfect,” I murmur, mostly to myself.
The bedrooms are small but comfortable, with plenty of natural light streaming through the windows. When we step into the second bedroom, I can’t help but picture it as a nursery—the crib, the toys, the little touches that will make it my son’s space.
“And out here,” Eddie says, opening a sliding glass door, “is the backyard.”
I step out onto the small patio, my breath catching when I see the fenced-in yard. It’s not huge, but it’s more than enough. I can already imagine my son running around out here, playing with a ball or chasing after a dog someday.
Sophie leans over to me, her smile wide. “This is a great spot, Chloe. It’s perfect for you two.”
Tank grunts in agreement, his arms crossed as he surveys the yard. “Looks solid. Fencing’s in good shape.”
I turn to Eddie, smiling. “This place is better than I expected. Thank you for showing it to us.”
He smiles back, looking genuinely pleased. “I’m glad you like it. If you’re interested, we can go over the application process.”
“I am,” I say firmly, already imagining us here. “I definitely am.”
“We should grab an early dinner, you two up for that?” Sophie asks. Tank grunts in agreement and I nod. “I could definitely eat.”
Tank drives us to the country buffet, a no-frills spot with all-you-can-eat everything. The place is busy, full of families and couples, and the smell of fried chicken and fresh rolls fills the air as we walk in. We grab a table near the window, and Sophie and I head to the salad bar while Tank veers off toward the grill station.
I’m reaching for the tongs to grab some lettuce when I bump into someone next to me.
“Sorry about that,” I say automatically, glancing up.
The apology catches in my throat when I realize who it is. I think her name’s Brittney or Jessica—doesn’t really matter. She’s someone I’ve seen around Perdition more times than I care to count. She’s always dressed to turn heads, and all over the guys. They love it I’m sure.
Her lips pull into a smirk, but it quickly twists into a sneer as her eyes rake over me, dripping with judgment. “Well, well,” she says, her tone dripping with mockery. “You’re Chloe, right?”
I hesitate, my stomach twisting. “Yeah... why?”
She crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing. “The bitch who got knocked up by Dagger?” she asks loud enough to make a few people turn around and look at us.
My face burns, and I take a small step back, but she steps forward, closing the space.
“You know, I’ve fucked Dagger before,” she continues, her voice low and mean. “I loved the way his dick felt inside me.”
My stomach flips, and my hands tighten around the edge of the salad bar as her words cut deeper than I want to admit.
She leans in slightly, her smile turning nasty. “I think I’ll give him a call now that he’s back in town. See if he wants to hang out again. You know how men like him are—they don’t stay interested for long.”
“Excuse me?” Sophie’s voice cuts through the tension.
The woman startles slightly, her sneer faltering as Sophie steps in beside me, her eyes blazing with anger. “What the hell is your problem?” Sophie snaps, her hands on her hips. “You think you’re cute, walking up to a pregnant woman and talking shit like this? Let me guess—you’re one of those sad, desperate types who needs to tear someone else down to feel better about your miserable little life.”
The woman straightens, her smirk back but not as confident. “I’m just telling her the truth. She deserves to know what kind of man Dagger is.”
“And I’m telling you to mind your damn business,” Sophie fires back. “You don’t know anything about Chloe or her situation, so why don’t you go crawl back to whatever hole you came from?”
The woman glares at Sophie for a moment, then shifts her gaze back to me. “Whatever,” she says with a roll of her eyes. “Good luck with him, honey. You’re gonna need it.”
She turns and stalks off, but Sophie isn’t finished.
“Yeah, keep walking,” she calls after her, her voice sharp. “Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out!”
I’m frozen, my hands trembling slightly as I try to process what just happened.
“Chloe,” Sophie says softly now, turning to face me. “Are you okay?”
I nod slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Yeah. I’m fine. Thanks for stepping in.”
“Of course,” she says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and steering me back toward the table. “No one talks to you like that. Not on my watch.”
As we sit back down, Tank raises an eyebrow, clearly noticing the tension. “What happened?”
“Nothing worth repeating,” Sophie says firmly, shooting me a supportive smile.
I nod in agreement, though her words still echo in my mind. I try to shake it off, focusing on the sound of Sophie’s voice and the safety of being with my friends. But deep down, it’s going to take a while to forget.