She wanted that co-parenting thing that everyone on Facebook raved about. She had never even had an ounce of that. Rick had been a dick since the beginning, but Lucy had wanted to believe that maybe she could have that. That they could be adults. She had hoped he wanted to be a father, a good one, but she was starting to realize that Rick Hart would never be a father to Angie.
But Benji could be.
She knew it was insane to think about it, but he was just so great with her. Yes, the bank account thing pissed her off, but it was sweet. It was Benji. Always wanting to help, be there for everyone. But his main concern was always Lucy and Angie. He loved her girl as much, if not more than she did—not that that was possible—and she couldn’t ask for more than that. Because Benji didn’t have to love Angie. Hell, Heidi sure as hell didn’t love her, but Benji did. With all of himself.
God, she missed him. She couldn’t understand how she’d gotten so lucky to meet a man like him. But she loved him more than she could ever express. The way he understood her, was so patient with her—she swore he deserved a medal. She sure as hell didn’t deserve him, but somehow, she had him.
He was hers.
As she leaned back in the chair, a knock came and then the door opened. Rayne smiled as she came to the desk, laying a piece of paper down in front of her. Picking it up, Lucy looked it over as Rayne said, “Nikky Jiggler has not said anything about Benji since that post. It has since been deleted, so I emailed her and asked when that article would be published. She wrote that back.”
Lucy looked down and shook her head as she read.
Rayne,
I didn’t sleep with Benji Paxton. I was paid to put his name on the blog by someone. Because of that, no article will be posted. It’s dumb, but hey, a hundred bucks is a hundred bucks. Especially when I still got paid after having to take it down. Thanks for asking, tho!
Love,
Nikky
“Well, that was short and to the point.”
“Yeah, so at least you know,” she said, and Lucy nodded. She was pretty sure she knew who had paid Nikky, and she would fax this to her dad just in case. She didn’t understand what Rick thought he was doing. Why couldn’t he just leave them alone? Let them be happy.
“Thanks,” she said as her phone started to ring. “You rock.” Rayne flashed her a grin as Lucy reached for the phone, seeing that it was Rick.
What the hell?
Answering it as Rayne left, she said, “Hello?
“I need to see you. Where are you?”
She paused. His voice was hard, to the point. Quickly, uneasiness settled in her stomach. “At my office.”
“Text me the address.”
“Why?”
“’Cause I need to talk to you. Now.”
He hung up and Lucy’s heart was in her throat. She dialed her dad’s number on the landline, and he answered right away, “Hello?”
“Dad, Rick just called me, wanting to come to my office.”
“Did he say why?”
“No.”
“Okay, stall him a bit, and I’ll be right over. What’s the address?”
She told him and then hung up, waiting a few minutes before texting Rick her address. As she waited, she paced. She wanted to call Benji, but he had press and wouldn’t be able to talk. Thankfully, though, her dad arrived quickly. But before they could even really talk about anything, Rick walked in.
Shutting the door behind him, Rick rolled his eyes when he saw her dad sitting in the corner, his arms over his chest. “Why’s he here?”
Her dad shrugged before setting him with a glare. “I’m here to support my daughter.”
She really didn’t like that answer since she wanted him there as her lawyer, but she wouldn’t address that. Her dad’s statement sure didn’t make Rick want to talk either. “I want to talk to her alone.”
“Oh. Well, then, I’m here for my client. No can do, buddy.”
Glaring, Rick looked to Lucy. “I need to talk to you about that lowlife you have around my daughter.”
She scowled at that. “Benji is not a lowlife. He is good to her.”
“Oh, is he? I told you he was a pedophile,” he spat back, doing something to his phone and then holding it out so Lucy could see. Mark came over as he pushed play. In the video, Angie sat fidgeting on the couch. It was clear she wasn’t medicated, her body twitching and her hands moving as she bounced in the seat.
But most of all, she was terrified.
Tears welled up in Lucy’s eyes as her heart started to thump in her chest.
Glancing at Rick, she glared. “What the hell is that?
But he shook his head as his voice came over the video. “Does Benji give you money?”
Angie nodded. “Yeah.”
“What for?”
“For whatever I want. I don’t know. Can I go to my room?”
“No, tell me.”
“Stuff.”
“Has he touched you?”
Lucy’s heart stopped. She looked to her dad, and he was glaring, his neck turning red as he held on to the desk.
“Dad, please. I want to go to my room.”
“Answer me! Does he touch you?”
“Yes!”
“So he kisses you?”
She made an obvious face. “Yeah?”
“Does he make you touch him?”
“I don’t know! Can I go?”
Before he could ask anything else, she got up and ran.
The video went black and Lucy was fuming.
“What the hell are you implying?” she spat out, her eyes burning into his. He had a smug look on his face as he shrugged.