“Blackmail?” he spat.
“Persuasion,” Amanda said.
Fuck this. He was going to walk out without seeing Petal. He wanted to be able to swear on a lie detector test that he hadn’t done anything aggressive in his attempts to see her.
But then the unthinkable happened.
Petal stopped crying.
Dred raced through the condo, pushing open doors until he found Petal in a bassinet in an empty den. He swept her up and pulled her close. Her heart pounded furiously against him as she sniffled into his shoulder.
“I’ve got you, baby girl. I’m here. I’m always going to be here. Nobody is going to stop me again.”
“Mr. Zander. I suggest you hand the baby back to the mother. You can check out the Government of Canada’s Department of Justice page on child custody, but I can assure you, when a court order is required to determine custody, it goes exclusively to the mother in eighty percent of the cases. I strongly suggest you accept the current compromise Ms. Veitch is offering.”
Dred felt like he’d been wrapped in barbed wire, but he knew he wouldn’t win this round today. If he walked out of the condo with Petal like he wanted to, they’d testify together that he’d been violent, or worse, had abducted Petal.
He stroked her back, soothing her for as long as he could, periodically kissing her smooth forehead. She’d fallen asleep on him, and despite the shitty situation, it made his heart soar that he could make her feel safe enough to sleep.
“I’ll be back for you baby girl, I promise,” he whispered as he laid her back in the bassinet.
*
Miami had done the unthinkable and dropped cold. The rapid descent from higher-than-average late April temperatures to lower than average caught everyone off guard. It might be overkill, but Pixie was toasty warm in the coat Dred had bought for her. Actually, she was a little too warm, but better than being Lia who was shivering in her light jacket and scarf.
She pulled out her phone and took a selfie for Dred. She attached it to a text message.
Spring in Miami. Come keep me warm?
It was Saturday, and she and Lia were both on the later shift, so they’d planned to visit their favorite vintage store. Pixie was looking for some specific fabric for a dress she was making, but first she had to visit the bank.
“What are you smiling about over there?” Lia asked, trying to peer over her shoulder.
Pixie showed her the photo of her in her coat, and Lia laughed.
“Your rock star should fly you to Brazil for the day. I bet it’s hotter there than here.” Lia blew warm air between her hands. “Ask him if he’ll get you a jet. We’ll skip work and I’ll go with you, see if I can’t find a nice Brazilian man to appreciate me for at least twenty-four hours.”
Pixie laughed as her phone vibrated. She stepped away from Lia and checked the message. Holy guacamole. The photograph was taken from his shoulder down his body revealing all his abs. A white sheet was strategically placed across his . . . well . . . and his hand was under the sheet in a way that suggested he was holding his . . . jeez.
Spring in Brazil. I’ll be warm when I come. Next time . . . less clothes!
She blushed bright red, embarrassed to admit the photo turned her on as much as his overtly sexual behavior shocked her. Being logical and practical, she’d never share those sorts of photos. That’s how revenge porn got started. But part of her wanted to try, perhaps be a little . . . sexier . . . than she was right now.
She took a deep breath. Wish I was there to watch.
There was a pause and her phone vibrated again. You can watch from there if you want. Change to video :-)
Lia studied her curiously, and there was no way in hell she was standing on a Miami street corner watching the hottest man alive jerk himself off for her. Because that would be . . . hot, delicious, sexy . . . wrong.
Pixie typed a quick response. My head says no, but the rest of me . . .
There was a short delay of response. MY head says yes ;-) But the rest of me gets it. Miss you, Snowflake xxx
Miss you too <3
Pixie had travel envy. Not only would she love to visit Rio to check out Ipanema Beach and the giant art deco statue of Christ the Redeemer, but she wanted to be there because Dred was. The idea of exploring both the man and the sights of Brazil were equally compelling.
“I’ll see you in there,” she said to Lia. “I’m going to get some cash.” It wasn’t lying. It just wouldn’t occur to Lia that she was actually withdrawing so much.