Clarity - Nicole Dykes Page 0,21

with me? My tattoos? My past? The fact that I don’t have much money? Or just all of it?”

This is why I'm quiet most of the time. I have zero tolerance for humans. She looks up at me, removing her glasses. “Do you know how many children I see every single day. Children who would kill to be in a home with the Herringtons?”

There’s that vomit feeling again. Because I know she’s right. “Just because something looks shiny on the outside doesn’t mean it’s good.”

“Nothing tells me that they are bad.”

“Except for Bree.”

She shakes her head at me as if I’m naïve. I’m not. “Bree is no angel.” I feel my fists clenching against my thighs. “She’s been disruptive in school. She’s been caught lying and stealing. She’s eleven, but she has quite the record. And Mr. And Mrs. Herrington were overlooking all of that. They wanted to adopt her, but because you got involved that whole process has been put on hold, and you don’t even know this girl.”

That fucker will never adopt her. “And neither do you. And so fucking what if she acts out? Maybe she was screaming for help.”

“This was long before the Herringtons, Mr. Moore. What if they were the answer to her prayers?”

“What if they were her nightmare?” I sit still, but my skin is crawling, itching for relief. I’m wound tight, and what I really need is a meeting, but I stay in my seat.

Again, she shakes her head at me. “Do you know the things they could have given her? The education? The clothes? The social status? And to be honest with you, they still might if I have my way.”

I stare into her eyes, unwavering. “You’ll have to go through me, and I may seem like a nobody, but I can be your worst nightmare.”

Her glare doesn’t even begin to penetrate me. I’ve been up against far worse. “You realize I'm going to be up your ass? You mess up one time, and it’s over. I don’t care who you know.”

“And yet, you’re only just now investigating the Herringtons and will probably do a piss poor job at it.”

“You should probably start regarding me with a little respect, Mr. Moore.”

I stand, towering over her. “Respect is tough to earn and easily lost. I have no idea why you have Gillian’s respect, and I don’t care. But you don’t have mine. I’ll jump through the hoops though. Where’s Bree?”

She sucks in a deep breath and stands. “She’s in the office. I’ll go get her and her things. I will be by for a surprise inspection very soon.”

I can hear the threat in her words, and I know I have a lot to do today. It wouldn’t surprise me if she showed up tomorrow. “Not a problem.”

“You’re robbing this girl. You understand that? You may have never gotten a break, but this is hers.”

I don’t say anything. Just stand still, staring at her until she moves away from me, retreating and then bringing Bree back. She doesn’t look thrilled, but I’m pretty sure that’s just her face. Another thing we have in common.

“You ready?”

She nods, slinging her little duffle bag over her shoulder, and I quickly take it, putting it on my own shoulder. She doesn’t argue with me, but I feel like she wants to.

She’s watching Morgan with hesitance as the woman bends down in front of her to get to eye level. “If you need anything at all, please call me. Okay?” Morgan’s eyes meet mine and then back to Bree. “Anything at all.”

Bree shrugs her off, not falling for the nice act in the slightest. That’s the thing about street kids, we can read people better than anyone else on the planet.

“I’m fine.”

I like the hint of attitude and lead her out of this hell hole without another glance to Ms. Winters.

We reach my car before Bree says anything. “So how long am I staying with you?”

It’s not hopeful. Or even really the curiosity of a kid. It’s just what it is. A blank question, knowing the system is out to fuck her over.

“I have shit to work out, but if I have anything to say about it, you’ll be with me until I can find you somewhere truly safe.”

Her little brow crinkles, her hair still down with curls everywhere. “Does that place exist?”

I’m not sure, but I'm going to try to find it if it does.

Oh my God, what the hell did I agree to? I’m really not sure