Found

hide and seek

Dominic's pov😼:

reggie's soft footsteps can be heard from behind me as we walk through the main entrance to the estate

i got off of work fairly early today considering how late we usually stay out

no busts were made today unfortunately. we're still waiting on more information on dammers whereabouts before making any moves

i glance at the rolex on my wrist and see that it's only 4:30. i aim my feet toward our at home gym

wrapping my hands up i stalk over to the punching bag

letting out all my frustration

work

my family

my sister.

my Goddamn sister

she thinks i hate her

she's terrified of me

i don't blame her considering the way ive treated her since she stepped foot in the household

it's not true i don't hate her

i love her dearly

she just shouldn't be here

she's not made for this life

she could be taken from us in an instant

i'm being a selfish bastard, i know

i just don't want to get attached to her again

and then see her be taken from me

i couldn't handle it

everyone thinks i'm heartless, evil even. i'm not- well okay maybe a little but i still love my family

and when i found out about Leah's stepfather i lost it

i couldn't come home

i couldn't face her

i'm starting to realize that maybe she is safer with us then out there

but i just can't trust it

nothing is ever this simple

my thoughts were cut short when i heard the door creak open

i stop what i'm doing and turn to the door to see none other than a little girl sneaking in trying to act discrete

i stay silent and watch her

she's closes the door and backs away before turning and seeing me

her face pales like she's seen a ghost

i don't say anything though, i just wait

she goes to run for the door but i grab her before she can

"woah woah woah" i say as a pull her to me

"what are you doing down here?" i ask but she's doesn't look up at me, her hair just falls over her face

i lift her face up with my finger and tuck her hair behind her ear

but i notice something that fills me with red hot rage

she's has a bandaged nose

"who the fuck did that to you" i express angrily

"i fell"

"Leah. tell me now"

"i'm telling the truth!" she looks like she's going to cry

"where did you fall?"

"on the cafeteria floor"

something's not adding up

"and no one caused you to fall?" i ask

"well-" she starts playing with her hair

"just tell me" i snap

"i tripped over a girls foot, that's all, i promise" she stammered hugging herself

i study her to sniff out any lies. i come up empty. she looks genuine.

"okay" i finally mutter

i'm not completely convinced but i'll let it go.

"what are you doing down here?" i ask again

she looks up at me and whispers "hide and seek"

hide and seek. really? you've got to be fucking kidding me

"with who?" i already know her next words are going to be "jayden"

"jayden and sammy" she looks down with red cheeks

speaking of dogs reggie is still standing behind me, peering around my legs at leah

but he does something the shocks the shit out of me. he walks up to her. he doesn't approach anyone. ever.

leah gasps as she sees him

"is that your dog that you told me not to touch"  she gapes wide eyed at him like he's a piece of candy she can't have

"yes. reggie come" but he doesn't

which surprises me further

what the fuck

"reggie" i try again but he goes and sits on leah's feet and looks up at her expectantly

leah hold her hands together and looks up at me pleadingly

"he obviously likes you go ahead" i roll my eyes when she immediately drops to the floor and starts cuddling with my dog. he doesn't even like to cuddle with me

reggie loves her. it's insane.

what the fuck.

~~~

a little while later after leah gets done with stealing my dog, jayden busts through the door yelling "i found you!"

"immature fuckface" i mutter and roll my eyes

"ooo you said a bad word i'm telling dante" leah giggles

i glare at her and she immediately snaps her mouth shut

"just kidding" she smiles sheepishly

sammy sees reggie and they take off out the door playing

"what are you doing?" jayden asks

"what does it fucking look like" i gesture to my wrapped hands

"don't have to be so rude" jayden rolls his eyes

"come on leah" jayden glares at me and drags leah out of the room

children.