Nash (Daddies of Justice #3)

Chapter 14

Rosie

R osie sighed as she plopped onto a giant pink beanbag in the playroom, hugging a fluffy teddy bear to her chest.

Mia sat cross-legged on the colorful rug across from her, fiddling with a set of nesting dolls.

"So, dish girl,” said Rosie as breezily as she could. “How's life been since you shacked up with Jax in Bloomington?"

Mia arranged the dolls in a line, not meeting Rosie's gaze right away. "It's been . . . an adjustment. I keep thinking I'll wake up back in that hellhole, ya know?" She picked up the smallest doll, running a finger over its delicately painted face.

Rosie nodded solemnly. She knew that feeling all too well. The fear that your newfound happiness could be ripped away at any moment.

"But Jax has been good to me," Mia continued. "And the bookstore, it's like a dream come true. I never thought I'd have something like that." Her eyes shone with a mix of pride and disbelief.

"You deserve it," said Rosie. "After everything you've been through, you deserve all the good things." She reached over and squeezed Mia's hand.

Mia finally looked up, her green eyes locking with Rosie's brown. "I don't think I'll ever have a completely normal life, though. I'll always be waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Rosie sighed, leaning back into the beanbag. "That's the thing, isn’t it? We've all got our own version of normal. For some people, it's worrying about a job interview or money or family drama. For us, it's dealing with the ghosts of our past and hoping they don't catch up with us."

Mia cracked a small smile. "At least we've got some good things to hold onto. Like books and pacis and stuffies . . ."

"And our Daddy's naughty bits," Rosie added with a wink, causing both girls to dissolve into giggles.

As their laughter faded, Rosie hugged the teddy bear tighter. She couldn't help but wonder if she and Nash would ever find the kind of peace and happiness Mia seemed to have with Jax. Part of her longed for that sense of safety and belonging, but another part whispered that the only way to have that was to leave Chicago. Which meant leaving Nash.

She pushed those dark thoughts aside and focused on the warmth of the playroom, the softness of the teddy bear in her arms, and the comforting presence of her friend. For now, that would have to be enough.

Rosie absently fiddled with the bow on her teddy bear's neck as she glanced over at Mia. "So, how's it feel being back in Chicago? You ready to get your ass back to Bloomington ASAP?"

Mia looked up from the colorful blocks she was stacking, her green eyes softening. "Honestly, it's weird being back here. Brings up a lot of stuff I thought I'd left behind." She shrugged, knocking over the tower with a flick of her finger. "But I'm here for you, Ro. You're Nash’s Little, which makes you family. And family comes first, even if it means putting our little slice of bookish paradise on hold for a bit."

Rosie's heart clenched at the words, a mix of gratitude and guilt swirling in her chest. She knew how much Mia and Jax's life in Bloomington meant to them, how hard they'd fought to build a safe-haven away from the chaos and violence of Mia's past. And now, because of her, they'd been dragged right back into the thick of it.

"I appreciate you being here, Mi. More than you know." Rosie's voice was soft, barely audible over the gentle rustling of the teddy bear's fur as she hugged it closer. "I just . . . I don't know if Nash wants the same things I do. I think he actually likes being in the thick of it, you know? Like he needs the constant fight to feel alive."

Mia nodded, her expression understanding. "Some people are wired differently. They thrive on the chaos, the adrenaline. It's all they know." She reached out, squeezing Rosie's hand. "But that doesn't mean you have to be like that. You've gotta do what's right for you, even if it means making some tough choices down the line."

Rosie sighed, her gaze drifting to the colorful murals on the playroom walls. Cartoon animals frolicked in fields of flowers, their smiles wide and carefree. A stark contrast to the heaviness in her heart.

"I thought I could handle it, you know? Being with a man like Nash. Like, I thought it’d make me feel safer than ever. But I suddenly feel more scared than ever. Scared of losing my own inner strength. Scared of losing him. Scared of . . . everything." She bit her lip, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. "I love Nash, Mi. I’ve loved him for two years. But I'm not sure love is enough." Rosie's fingers traced the soft edges of the teddy bear's ears as she continued to speak, the repetitive motion soothing her frayed nerves. "Until Bobby resurfaced, I thought I could build a life here in Chicago. Being with Nash. Working at The Den. I knew I'd never fall in love with the place. Not like Nash wanted me to. But now . . ." She shook her head, a rueful smile tugging at her lips. "Now all I can think about is getting as far away from this city as possible."

Mia leaned back against the cushions, her green eyes studying Rosie's face. "Running away won't solve everything, Rosie. Trust me, I've tried." She reached for a nearby coloring book, flipping it open to a half-finished page. "But I get it. Sometimes you need a fresh start, a chance to breathe without the weight of the past crushing you."

Rosie nodded, a single tear escaping down her cheek. She brushed it away quickly, determined to stay strong. "I'm tired of looking over my shoulder, wondering if today's the day Bobby will find me. I'm tired of the nightmares, the panic attacks, the constant fear." Her voice cracked, the words catching in her throat. "I just want to be free. Free to live my life without the shadows of my past haunting me."

Mia's hand stilled, the crayon poised above the paper. "Then do it. Take control of your life. If leaving Chicago is what you need to heal, then go for it. But . . ." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "You’ve got to wait for Nash to deal with Bobby first. Otherwise, you’re not safe anywhere. In the meantime, don't make any rash decisions about Nash. Not until you've talked to him, and I mean really talked to him. He might surprise you."

Rosie huffed out a laugh, the sound tinged with bitterness. "I don't know. He's made it pretty clear where his priorities lie." She set the teddy bear aside, reaching for a coloring book of her own. "I love him, but . . . I love myself more. And right now, I need to put myself first. Even if it means leaving everything behind, Daddy included."

The two Littles fell silent, the only sound the soft scratch of crayons against paper. Rosie's mind whirled with possibilities, her heart torn between the man she loved and the freedom she craved. She knew Mia was right—she needed to talk to Nash, to lay her cards on the table.

As she filled in the lines of a smiling sunflower, Rosie made a silent vow to herself. No matter what happened with Nash, no matter how much it hurt, she would find her way back to the light. Back to a life without fear, without the constant weight of her past bearing down on her.

She was Rosie Love, and she was going to be free. No matter the cost.