Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“I’ll make up for that. There’s a cold front heading our way. I’ll need lots of places warmed up.”
“I’m your man.”
“Yes, you are.” She paused, and I knew she was getting ready to hang up. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Evan and Holly are taking Mia to school. I have a Zoom meeting first thing.” I reminded her. “I’ll see you after school.”
“Okay. Good night, Simon. I love you.”
Her words filled my heart.
“I love you.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SIMON
My phone buzzed. Once. Again. Then again. I frowned, directing my gaze to the device sitting on the desk beside me. Seeing Evan’s name, I held up my finger, interrupting my client.
“Sorry. Hold one moment, Larry. I think I have an urgent call here.”
I muted him and answered the phone. “Evan?”
“Get to the school,” Evan hissed. “Kelsey is here, and she is causing trouble.”
I was on my feet in a second. “Larry, I have to get back to you. It’s my daughter.”
“Go,” he said.
The six-minute drive seemed to take forever. I pulled up to the school, seeing a small group gathered at the front of the building, arguing. The entire school appeared to be on the one side, slowly making their way back into the building, and a fire truck was just leaving.
I raced over to the group at the front of the building, shocked at the sight before me.
Evan and Holly were with Amy, who was holding Mia, refusing to let her go. Two things hit me at once. The bright red handprint on Amy’s face and the furious expression she wore. I had seen her annoyed. Upset. Disappointed. But never this angry.
The principal, Mrs. Bremmer, was there, with the small group of people around Mia. Kelsey stood, dressed as if she were attending a business meeting for socialites, her suit and heels out of place in this simple setting. Her hands were on her hips, and she was yelling. Off to the side stood another man, looking uncomfortable and confused.
“Give me my daughter.”
“She is not your daughter,” Amy snapped. “You have no place in her life.”
I strode forward, pushing myself beside Mia and Amy. “What the hell is going on here?”
Mia lifted her face, her tearstained cheeks and red eyes hitting me in the gut. “Daddy, this lady keeps yelling. She tried to take me out of school. I don’t like her!”
I took her from Amy, holding her close. “It’s okay, Sweet Pea. Daddy’s here.” I focused on Kelsey. “What the hell game are you playing at?”
She tossed her hair, meeting my furious gaze. Her eyes were red, the pupils dilated. “I just came to see my daughter. I was taking her out for breakfast.”
“You have no right to take her anywhere.”
“I’m her mother.”
“You’re nobody.” I looked at the principal. “Has anyone called the police? I want her charged with attempted kidnapping.”
Evan slid his phone from his pocket. “I’ll call.”
Kelsey paled. “You wouldn’t.”
Evan shook his head. “Watch me.”
I leaned down, kissing Mia’s head. “Baby, are you okay to go with Evan and Holly? They’ll take you to their place, and I’ll come soon, okay? We’ll go home after.”
“I don’t have to go with her?” she whispered.
“No. Never.”
“Okay.”
I transferred her to Evan’s embrace and waited as he and Holly took her to the car and left. I slid my arm around Amy’s waist, tugging her close. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said through clenched teeth.
I touched her cheek. “She did this?”
“Yes.”
I looked up, meeting Kelsey’s angry gaze. “I’ll add assault to the charges as well.”
“I’m leaving,” she informed me. “Come on, Robert.”
I grabbed her arm. “You are going nowhere.” I looked at Mrs. Bremmer. “Is there a place we can go for some privacy?”
“Yes,” she replied. “This way.”
I heard Kelsey’s voice through the door, the words unclear, but her tone annoyed. The police were questioning her. I ran a hand over my face as I told Halton, my lawyer, what had occurred.
“Fuck,” he replied. “What an idiot. I’ll crucify her for this, Simon.”
“I want a court order that she never comes near Mia or me again. Get that done. I have no idea what harm she has caused to Mia. I know she hit Amy.”
“Holy shit.” He whistled lowly. “She’s even crazier than she used to be. She’s desperate. I ran a quick check. She is broke. Owes money left, right, and center. Her last husband went bankrupt, so she got nothing.”
“I don’t give a shit. She crossed the line today. Hit her with everything you’ve got, Halton.”
He chuckled. “My pleasure.”
I hung up and scrubbed my face.
What a mess. Mia’s teacher, Mrs. Reynolds, had fallen and broken her leg this morning. With no substitute available, they had put the two classes together. A fire alarm went off, and while trying to get double the number of kids outside, Ms. Aldridge lost track of Mia. Kelsey was waiting and was trying to walk away with Mia when Amy spotted her. She ran after her, snatching Mia, who was struggling to get free. Kelsey had fought, slapping Amy, who refused to let Mia go. Evan and Holly had still been there and saw what was happening. They stepped in and Evan called me. The principal stood with them, and I showed up. The man with Kelsey was her latest sugar daddy, although I had a feeling after today, that relationship was toast.