I sat up straight, my courage returning. “The council will rein him in. They believe in fairness, listening to the evidence. Barry, I can’t run. I can’t do that to my son.”
“I sorta knew that.” Barry sighed. “Don’t say I didn’t try. Look, just know I’m on your side. I’ll testify on your behalf, if necessary. Count on that. You acted in defense of your home and family.”
“Thanks, Barry. I mean it.”
“I know. Stay safe, okay?”
“I’ll do my best.”
I clicked my cell off and dropped it on my desk. I stared into blank space, seeing nothing, ignoring my ringing phone, and wondered if I’d made the right decision. Only Declan mattered. His well-being, his psychological stability, his emotional health. Nothing else.What happens if I’m found guilty and banished? What then? Who’ll care for Declan then?
Unable to answer those questions, I focused my attention on my work, in making money. For not just Declan’s future, but also my own.Without funds in the bank, we’re both screwed.
***
My mind on Barry’s dire call, I walked into my house to the scents of something Italian wafting from the kitchen. Max, ever delighted to see me, ran across the front room to lunge into my arms. Ignoring everything I’d tried to teach him, he licked my face with an exuberance I couldn’t help but chuckle at.
“You’re an idiot,” I said, pushing him onto all fours. “Get down.”
Grinning, panting hot doggy breath into my face, Max refused my command, thus forcing me to push his paws from my chest. Unrepentant, he danced around my legs, barking like a fool as I set my briefcase near the stairs and walked to the kitchen.
As exuberant as the mutt, Declan charged across the kitchen to leap into my arms. Again, the image of Ian landing on me with both feet flicked through my head as I held my son close.I must protect him. Nothing else matters. If I must run again….
“Hi, Dad.”
Holding Declan in the crook of my arm, I smiled. “Hiya. What’s new and exciting around here?”
“Jacy is teaching me to cook.”
“Wow. She’s trying to do herself out of a job.”
I glanced at Jacy, who met my gaze briefly before blushing. I couldn’t ignore how cute she looked when her skin turned that bright shade of pink. I grinned. “What’s cooking, chef?”
“Lasagna,” Jacy replied, finally returning my smile. “I hope you like it.”
“How can I not? I’m already drooling from the smell.”
Jacy bent over to peer into the oven, offering me a fine, long look at her delicate backside. Heat grew and spread through me, and I lost all thoughts of Barry’s dire phone call. That woman’s ass could make a stick horny.
“Dad?”
I caught Declan watching me carefully, and my face turned red. I felt it smolder as though hot coals lay just under my skin. Hastily, I set him on his feet.
“Do I have time to change?” I asked.
“Sure,” Jacy replied. “Dinner won’t be ready for about twenty minutes.”
“Be right back.”
I climbed the stairs to the second floor, muttering under my breath. “Way to go, ace. Just put your lust out there for everyone to see.”
As I changed from my business attire to simple jeans and a t-shirt, I pondered the risks of staying where I was. If Ian knows where I am, what will he do? True, he’s the head honcho. But he can’t forcibly arrest me and put me in some sort of jail. Our laws expressly forbid an arrest and banishment without a trial first.
So, I’m safe from being hauled away in chains. What then? He could order me to face the council and abide by their judgement. If I’m found guilty, I’d be banished to the extreme north of Iceland, to a remote island. Forced to survive as best I could, live in a cave if I could find one, unable to communicate with anyone or ever see Declan again.
I shuddered.
“I can’t,” I muttered thickly. “I can’t risk it. If I face the council, I’ll lose.”
