“I know,” Cain said, glancing up at Steel shyly. “The first time one of my faster dads took me with him to buy roses for my foster mom, I couldn’t believe there were so many types. I wish I could grow all of them.”
Chuckling, Steel said, “California has a great climate and lots of flowers can grow here. I can give you a plot of land if you want to try growing some.”
“I’m supposed to help Theo with his garden.”
“Have you seen it yet?”
Shaking his head, Cain murmured, “Sophia said it was too dark last night.”
“That’s right. She gave you a tour last night,” Steel said. “Did you enjoy it?”
Nodding, Cain looked around the room, his eyes bright with happiness. “I liked the library best.”
“I don’t blame you,” Steel smiled. “I insisted my architect include it in his plans for the house. He tried to change my mind, but some of the best times in my life when I was young were the ones I spent in my father’s library, so, of course, that was a must for this house.”
“Me, too…I mean, none of the houses I lived in had a library, but there were usually ones in the towns so I spent as much time there as I could in them.”
“Hmm…I bet you enjoyed the quietness.”
“Yeah, I did…there was always so much noise in the foster homes because there were a lot of kids…at least most of the time.”
“Well,” Steel said, “there was only my brother when I grew up, but he was a troublemaker so when I had enough of his shenanigans, I headed for the peace and quiet of the library.”
“Are you and your brother close now?”
“Yeah, he eventually grew up and lives here with Dakota.”
Chapter 34
Cain’s eyes grew round. “Dakota? I met him in the kitchen! Sofia said he cooks the meals she brings me.”
“That’s right…and remember my warning…never piss him off.”
Shaking his head violently, Cain whispered, “I won’t, I promise. One of my cellmates got into a fight with another prisoner who was buddies with a cook who spat in every one of his meals for a year.”
Laughing, Steel said, “Dakota won’t do that, but when he’s unhappy, he lets everyone know by slamming his pots and pans around.”
“Got it,” Cain murmured, vowing to himself to steer clear of Dakota at all costs. Even though it didn’t sound like Dakota would do what the cook in the prison did, he wasn’t willing to chance it.
“Hey,” Steel said, “Don’t worry…the only person I know who has pissed off Dakota was my brother.”
Looking up, Cain blinked several times. “Really? Why would he do that?”
“Because he’s a dumb asshole, remember?” Steel said, laughing. “But our mother straightened him out, and I don’t think he’ll make that mistake again.”
“Why? Did she punish him?”
Smirking, Steel replied, “Not physically, but when she speaks, she can easily make you see the error of your ways.”
Cain wasn’t sure what that involved, but if it was anything like how the prison guards gave orders, he added Steel’s mother tothe list of those to be wary of.But then he remembered the beautiful woman who had talked to him in his cell. “I think I met your mother when I was in prison,” he said faintly. “She said Jackson was her son-in-law...she said her name was Oracle.”
“You did…and you’re right…her name is Oracle,” Steel said.
“She saved my life,” Cain whispered.
“Yousaved your life by agreeing to help Jackson.”
Cain wasn’t going to argue that point with the Alpha Mate, but deep down in his soul, he knew who was responsible for him ending up here. If Oracle hadn’t made the offer, he’d probably be dead by now. Sarge’s voice in his head reminded him he hadn’t thanked her yet, so he asked, “Do you see your mother often?”