Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Patting me on the shoulder, she laughs. “And as fun as that is, he won’t come after you.”
“I won’t let him near you, and the restraining order was granted months ago.”
She looks at Max, her hand rubbing the back of his leg. “It’s not me I’m worried about. He tried his best to do me in and didn’t win.”
The rage that wars inside me when I think of her father daring to talk to my son will be unleashed one day. It will either take him out or get me locked up in prison. “The restraining order was also secured for him.” I’m the only target Bancroft, Chip, or Lowe can come near. On purpose. I dare them.
“Why haven’t you shared any of these concerns with me?”
“We had a lot going on. You were busy—”
“I’m never too busy for you.” I lift her chin so her eyes meet. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
The tension in her forehead loosens, and she replies, “I am. You’re not having second thoughts about me becoming a Westcott, are you?”
“You already are.” I wrap my arm around her lower back and hold her to my side. “But I’m not the one changing my name, so how are you feeling about it?”
“I don’t have doubts about making the change. I don’t want to be a Bancroft. It never fit who I was on the inside. That name carries too much baggage and pain with it. It’s a burden I don’t want to be saddled with any longer.” She grins, and I swear I detect notes of a smirk around the edges. “Don’t you think Westcott will suit me better?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely. I can’t wait to call you Mrs. Westcott.”
As she rests against me, her calm relieves my concerns. She says, “I love the sound of that.”
The number on the sign changes, and a woman calls out, “One fifty-two?”
Liv holds up the number. “That’s us.”
“Bingo!”
Two months later . . .
I didn’t think my wife could look more stunning than she already is. I’m in awe every day that I get to love this woman and care for her in all ways.
This morning, Liv wakes up looking more relaxed than I’ve ever seen her. Once she’s dressed, she could be vacationing in Italy or St. Tropez on a spring day, by the looks of her casual chic appearance.
It’s unexpected to see her so at ease in her body on the same morning that we’re going to court to watch her father’s trial start. I’m keeping my mouth shut. She’s a key witness, so I can only attribute it to the fact that it’s moving forward again. And I’m all for getting us one step closer to the other side of this mess.
There’s a fervor in the air when we arrive. News stations are covering the steps and asking for interviews. Loch and two of his associates have become bodyguards and our mouthpieces. “No comment,” is heard repeatedly until we make it inside.
Liv turns to me, gripping the lapels of my suit. “Something’s not right.”
The media’s interest in such a small case seems to be overblown. I ask, “Why is this suddenly being covered by so many outlets?”
Loch pulls us off to the side. “Chip’s camp called them. It’s a PR stunt that will backfire.”
I catch Liv rolling her eyes just before we make our way inside the courtroom. We’re not there ten minutes before the defense drops the news of an accepted plea bargain like a ticking bomb on the floor.
Fuck. I’m shaking my head, eyeing the asshole when he looks back at us. I worry about my Liv and how she feels right now. I give her a nudge. “You okay?”
She leans over and whispers, “How can he get offered a plea deal without everyone knowing?”
Loch leans forward from the other side of me, and says, “It’s standard procedure. They need information more than they care about his involvement.”
I ask, “How much time are we talking?”
The gavel bangs, ending the proceedings, and Loch stands. His phone buzzes with text messages. He reads, “Fifteen months deducting time served, so just over a year, and they considered our request. It’s in here as part of the deal.”
Liv says, “That’s good.”
Reading the rest of the agreed punishment, Loch says, “No contact with any of you unless initiated by you, Noah, Max, or any other children you have. We covered everyone now and in the future.”
Her small smile grows, and I see a spark of joy return to her eyes upon hearing that. “That’s a victory.” Turning to me, she says, “We can now live our lives without his interference.”
“We should go,” I say, guiding her with my hand on her back. “This will cause a media frenzy.”
Only walking a few feet, Liv stops, her eyes locked on her father’s while he glares at her. No matter what has happened, I try to remember that he’s still her father and a part of her will always miss what she hoped she’d have in a dad.