His jaw flexes, anger turning his face red. “George invited friends over and was—” He chokes off, eyes misting and fingers curling into a fist around the phone. He sucks in a ragged breath. “He was bargaining with his friends over Cici. Arranging her mating to make a fucking business deal.”
My eyes narrow and my chest aches for his sister. What a prick. “I’ll drive.”
“No, you shouldn’t?—”
“Liam,” I cut him off, gently placing my hand on his chest. “You’re upset and Cici needs you. Let me drive so you can get to her, okay?”
Nodding, he walks around the BMW, opens the door, and drops into the passenger seat. I shoot him a worried look before pulling out of the bowling alley. “Should I call the guys?”
“No,” he says, voice pained. “I have to call my other dadsfirst.” His hands shake as he holds his phone. I hate that I can’t help him.
Navigating onto the busy road, I head toward Liam’s childhood home, not so far from my own. He places the call on speaker, hand pressed to his mouth, jaw clenched tight as the rings reverberate through the car.
“Hey, son!” a deep, masculine voice greets.
“Did you know that George is auctioning off your daughter?” Liam demands, tone hard and unrelenting.
“What are you talking about?” another voice asks.
“You heard me,” Liam snaps. “George is at home right now with his friends. They’re all vying for Cici to mate their sons.”
“Goddammit, George,” the first guy growls.
“No, goddamit, you!” Liam practically shouts.
“Liam, that’s not?—”
“You left her there!” Liam snarls. “With him. You know how he is.” There’s so much pain in his words, I reach over and link my fingers with his.
“The courts?—”
“Screw the courts, Josh. Have you even called her lately?”
“Son.” The other one exhales. “It’s not that simple.”
“Lalo is right, Liam. It’s complicated.”
“What’s complicated about giving a shit about your kids?” Liam’s voice cracks. This incident with Cici might’ve been the catalyst for the confrontation, but they’ve clearly hurt Liam as well. I squeeze his hand in support. I’m all too familiar with being hurt by family.
“You’re right,” Josh murmurs. “We should have done more.”
Liam sniffs hard, curses, and swats the moisture on his cheek away. “I’m going to get her, and you two are going to put together a case for custody.”
“How?” Lalo asks, sounding hopeless. “George buried us last time.”
“There are mics in the house.” Liam takes a steadying breath.
“What are you saying?” Josh’s voice is a touch louder, like he scooted closer or picked up the phone.
“I planted them a while ago because I don’t trust him.”
“Okay. We’ll call the lawyers. Send the recordings.”
Liam clears his throat, fighting through his emotions. “She needs good dads.”
There’s a weighted pause, the unsaid words as clear as day. Liam needs them too. “We’re sorry we failed you both.”
“I have to go,” Liam says in a rush, hanging up and dropping his head onto the headrest.
