“We’d be handling your cases pro bono,” Zane said.
“What does that mean?”
“It means there’s no charge.”
I felt incredibly stupid because I still couldn’t make sense of what he was telling me. “What, like it would be free?”
“Yes.”
“But why?” I asked and then I looked at Seth. “Why would you do that for me?”
“It’s not just for you, Levi,” Seth said. “It’s for Henry. He should be with his father.”
A whole new round of tears began to fall.
“Are you okay with Zane taking on your case?” Seth asked. I was surprised to find he’d moved next to me and he was patting me on the shoulder. There was still a little bit of lingering pain from when the pipe had hit me, but I didn’t care.
I nodded.
“Good,” Zane said. “I’ve gotten the court to grant you temporary custody,” he continued. “So if you’re up to it, Henry will stay with you going forward.”
I wanted to say yes, but reality came crashing down. I couldn’t stay in this apartment a moment longer. I could maybe afford a hotel for a few days, but I’d already quit my job. My dreams were being snuffed out one by one as I considered all the obstacles in my way.
“I don’t have a place to stay and I quit my job already,” I whispered.
“I’ve spoken to Betty Carlisle and she says your job is ready andwaiting if you want it back. There won’t be any lapse in your employment,” Zane said.
“Really?”
“And we’ll help you figure out something with finding a place to stay,” Seth said.
“Thank you,” I managed to croak out.
“There’s one more thing I want to talk to you about. Your friend Hank,” Zane said.
“What about him?”
“Phoenix told us how important he is to you and what he did for you in prison. He also told us about what put him there,” Seth said.
“I’ve contacted Hank and offered to represent him in his appeal. Like with you, I found some issues with how his plea deal was handled. I can’t guarantee anything, but there’s a chance we can get him a new trial. We’ve also managed to have Hank moved to a different prison…one in Monroe which is about thirty minutes north of the city. He’d be allowed contact visits,” Zane said.
Which meant I could touch Hank. Hug him. Let him hold Henry.
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted. “Thank you doesn’t seem like enough.”
I saw Zane glance at Seth before he returned his attention to me. “It’s us who should be thanking you, Levi. And by us, I mean my entire family…Ronan and Seth’s too. That little girl means the world to all of us,” he said quietly and then he was standing up. He patted my shoulder and then said to Seth, “I’ll wait down by the car.”
As Zane left, Seth sat in the chair across from me. “I have something else I want to tell you, but I don’t know if you even want to know.”
“What is it?”
“Something’s happened to Amani.”
I stiffened and sat up, but before I could say anything, Seth continued. “Now, it’s not my place to say what, but Phoenix needs you. If you still have any feelings for him-”
I didn’t even let him finish before I jumped to my feet and said, “Can you give me and Henry a ride?”
I quickly tucked Henry back into the car seat and buckled him in while Seth went to grab my duffle bag. I followed him out of the apartment and down the stairs. Zane was waiting by the side of the car and opened the door for me.
