He sits back down and pulls me onto his lap, and he wraps his arms around me.
I look up, and he leans in to place a kiss on my lips. It tastes different from usual, as if the fear we’re both feeling right now has mixed with all the other emotions.
We kiss for a little while, and I’m unable to stop fearing this will be the last time.
A knock at the door freezes us in place.
Haden moves me to the sofa and gets up to answer the door. I wait there, until he’s away for too long, then I go looking for him. His face is dark, furious, but above all, worried.
I can’t deal with any more bad news.
CHAPTER 21
Haden
Ishould have known things were too good to last.
Coming back home to find Jay freaking out, and being told someone put his hands on my daughter is something I never wanted to hear. On top of that, he kept telling me he had to go.
Fuck that, he’s not going anywhere.
If I have to involve the police, I’ll do it, and I’ll live with the aftermath of Jay’s anger. First things first, I need Jeremy to be safe, so Jay is not going to hate me forever.
Also, I need to go to the bank and get the money Jay needs for this fucker. He doesn’t know yet that I’m going with him. I’m going to make him understand that the money is the only thing he’s getting, and if he shows his face again, I’m going to bury him with my own hands.
I need to ask Kai to keep my family safe while I deal with all this. I don’t want Jay and Arianna to be alone in case Dick has followed them and decides he doesn’t want to wait any longer.
I lean in and kiss Jay, looking for reassurance that he’s still here with me, and that he won’t disappear in an instant.
The ring of the doorbell pisses me off, because I’m sure it’s my parents again or maybe Dick.
I move Jay to sit on the sofa and I stand up. When I reach the main door there’s a knock. The sound is different from when my father was here, this one’s intentional, not loud and frantic. I open the door halfway, just in case it’s Dick, but I’m ready to reshape his face into an actual dick if he’s at my door.
As soon as I open the door I’m handed a big envelope, and the postman leaves after a hurried good morning.
I close the door and turn it over and over in my hands, fearing the official look the letter has. With quick hands I open it, and stare at it for a long time, unable to believe what I’m seeing. When it sinks in I close my eyes, trying to control my desperation, and my hand, the one not holding the papers, turns into a first from the need to hit something.
I should have known. I should have fucking known.
I look at the stamp at the top of the letter, but nothing makes sense. With my heart thudding inside my chest I begin to read, and the more I do, the more I want to hit something.
I read the accusation, mumbling it to myself, “We believe MrTaylor is unfit to care for the child due to his lifestyle.”
I exhale, a sharp sound full of frustration, mixed with desperation. I read the document again.
They’re not talking about neglect, not harm, just… lifestyle. It shouldn’t be enough to take Arianna away, should it?
“Haden?” Jay calls, probably worried about me being gone for so long.
I rein in my fury and take the stairs two at the time. When I’m reach the top I lean in to kiss Jay, and then I head to the kitchen. I need my hands busy before I follow my need and break everything around me. And it’s always time for coffee.
“Who was at the door? His voice is hesitant because he probably doesn’t want to know.
“Post. My parents are trying to take Arianna.” My voice shakes and I hate it. I need to be strong.
Jay reaches out to caress my arm, and his touch keeps me from breaking. “They won’t succeed.”
I wish I had his confidence, but I know my parents, and they’ll use every trick to get what they want.
