Lure of Obsession (The Muse Chronicles Book 1) by Lisa Kessler

Detective Nate Malone and even badass criminals didn’t mess with him. So why was he so fucking shaken up about Melanie Jacoby?
    Her pep talk about the scars making him a survivor was kind. He got it, but deep down, they were a physical reminder that he couldn’t protect himself. Hell, he’d failed Maggie and her mother, too. And now he was supposed to keep Mel safe?
    He walked up the cracked cement walk to the yellow-stuccoed home and rapped his knuckles on the door. Mrs. Gaines answered. “Detective Malone! Great to see you.”
    Her silver hair was pulled back into a clip as she opened the door wider. From the back of the modest tract home, Maggie squealed. Mrs. Gaines, her foster mother, smiled, years of warm laughter lining her eyes. He’d been so lucky to get Maggie placed with her. The first two homes were… Well, he didn’t want to think about it.
    Nate stepped inside, mustering a smile. “Looking gorgeous today, Mrs. Gaines.”
    She grinned, swatting his arm playfully. “You’re a fine liar.”
    From his easy chair in front of the football game, Mr. Gaines chuckled. “Someday my bride has to learn to accept an honest compliment.”
    Maggie raced toward Nate then, slamming against his legs and holding him tightly. He bent to scoop her up, drinking in her giggles. “Ready for mini golf?”
    “Yes!” Her gap-toothed grin was a balm to his reopened old wounds. Freckles dusted her cheeks and nose, and her bright-green eyes made it impossible to resist smiling.
    “Good.” He turned to Mrs. Gaines. “Is it all right if we grab burgers afterward?”
    “Sure.”
    “One less mouth to feed,” Mr. Gaines called.
    His wife chuffed, swiping her hand in his direction. “Old coot.” She patted Maggie’s knee. “Have a wonderful time.”

    Nate pulled into a parking spot at the Family Fun Center and glanced over at his tiny passenger. “I think you’re going to be a natural.”
    Maggie nodded slowly, giving it plenty of thought. “I think I will, too, because Mrs. Bunny says I’m a graceful ballerina with cord-nation.”
    He struggled to keep a straight face. “Mrs. Bunny is a smart lady.”
    “Best ballet teacher ever.” Maggie unbuckled her seat belt and opened the booster seat. “Thanks for getting me in dance class, Uncle Nate.”
    He blinked. He’d asked Mrs. Gaines not to mention that he’d paid for the classes. Over the past two years, he’d fallen for little Maggie, but she deserved a family with a mom and a loving dad this time. A single police detective wasn’t the stable family life a little girl needed.
    He hoped she’d be adopted. But some parts of him, selfish parts, were glad he still got to be her “uncle.”
    After carefully selecting their colored golf balls, they headed for the first hole. Nate gave Maggie a club and stood behind her, leaning over her tiny frame to show her how to hold the club and gently tap her golf ball. Her first shot bounced off the brick beside the ramp and came right back. She turned her face up to him. “Do I get another chance?”
    “All the chances you need.”
    If only life were like that…
    By the third hole, Maggie was getting the hang of it. Mrs. Bunny had been right. The little girl was definitely coordinated. He was careful to miss some putts just to keep the game close, and when she beat him by two strokes, her joy made it all worthwhile.
    Maggie bounced around, riding her golf club like a wooden pony. “I did it. I golfed!”
    “Yes, you did.” He chuckled and collected the clubs.
    “Can we go back to your house for dinner?”
    He mussed her hair. “Sure thing, kid.”
    They got drive-through burgers, and they carried their bounty to his condo. When he unlocked the door, Maggie rushed directly to his fridge and tugged the door open.
    “My gummy worms!” She held up the bag, grinning.
    He set the fast-food on the table, struggling to hold back a smile. “I told you I wouldn’t eat them.”
    “Yeah, but sometimes adults get hungry.”