A partner to my fucked-up family.
Anthony’s eyes widened in surprise. “Uh, you guys do realize it’s not even seven in the morning? Don’t think I’ve seen any of you even cracking open an eye before noon in all the years I’ve known you.”
Ash just grinned. “No chance in hell we’re going to sleep away the day when we have business to take care of. And by business, I mean taking that motherfucker Jennings down. We were all there and know exactly what went down that day. Not about to stand for that kind of bullshit.”
Zee came forward and leaned his forearms on the island. He clasped his hands together as he looked up at us. “Yeah, man. You know whatever we can do…whatever we can say…we’ll be there. We know where Kallie belongs.”
Shea drew in a sharp breath, like she was gaining strength from their encouragement, each word building a steel armor of courage.
Lyrik lifted his chin toward Ash and Zee as he rolled into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. “Like they said, whatever you need, it’s done.”
Silently, Austin made his way in, too, surrounding us like the rest. He seemed agitated, which wasn’t abnormal for him. But still, he cast me a look like he was telling me it was a good damned thing I’d finally come to my senses.
That walking away from Shea wasn’t ever gonna be the noble choice.
Not when this girl needed me.
Ash hooked his arm around Shea’s neck and dropped a swift kiss to her head. “See. You don’t have to worry about a thing, darlin’. We’ve got this covered.”
“Thank you,” she said on a broken breath.
“Watch it, man,” I warned, letting a chuckle slide. “That’s my girl you’re kissing on.”
Ash smirked. “What? Good friends share and all of that.”
I reached around Shea and punched at his shoulder. “Not on your life, asshole.”
A giggle slipped from Shea, all self-conscious and shy and every shade of perfect, and those expressive eyes peeked up at me, swimming with faith, hope, and beauty.
My life.
I turned and gathered her face between my hands. I pressed the softest kiss to that even softer mouth.
Anthony cleared his throat. “I think that settles it then.” He let his gaze fall on Shea. “Let’s get your daughter back.”
MARTIN JENNINGS SAT ON the witness stand. Dark eyes gleamed back at me, the man intent to control my gaze as I faced him from where I sat at the table next to my attorney.
The way he’d always attempted to control me.
His expression conveyed every threat he’d ever dealt me, all under the guise of concerned parent.
“You are mine now.”
“I always get what I want, no matter the means to attain it. You’d be wise not to forget it.”
“I will guarantee your silence.”
A rush of fear trembled through my spirit, and I shifted on the hard chair. Painfully? I twisted my fingers together as if it could bind me with courage. My stomach felt as though it was tied in a thousand knots as I listened to the false sincerity woven in his tone, and a part of me wanted to cower and cave.
But when it came to Kallie, I never had, and that definitely wouldn’t change now.
If anything, I was stronger.
And I had Sebastian now. I wasn’t alone.
The thought bolstered me, renewed with a charge of determination and fortitude.
Martin sat making a plea as to why he should be granted longer-term full custody of my baby girl.
Each word passing from his mouth only made me sicker.
Ill with the idea this monster could once again take that control.
But this time…
This time I refused to give it to him.
“And why is it now you’re just interested in obtaining custody of your daughter?” his attorney asked.
Playing devil’s advocate.
How ironic.
Still, he was asking all the questions I wanted to demand answers to.