While he held the baby, Mac took photos that he’d use to introduce his daughter to his family.He wondered how long he’d have to wait until he could see her again.
Carson had been watchingMarlon Beckett for hours as he staked out Cresley's home in the Hollywood Hills and their son’s private school in Beverly Hills.So he happened to be perfectly positioned to see Cresley arrive to pick up her son and spot her ex in his vehicle across the street.
“Shit,” Carson muttered as she got out of her SUV to walk toward Beckett’s truck.
Cresley was quicker than him, though, and got to Beckett well ahead of Carson.She opened the truck’s door and punched Beckett in the face while Carson ran toward the two, who were now locked in a physical struggle across the street from their son’s school.
Noticing other parents pointing cell phones in their direction, Carson put himself between Cresley and the prying eyes.
“Stop.”He wrapped an arm around her to pull her off Beckett.“People are recording you.”
She froze.
“I’m Julian’s brother Carson.”When Beckett surged toward them, his lip bleeding and an abrasion on his cheek, Carson shoved him back and turned his focus on Cresley.“Let’s get you out of here.”
“I… um… I lost it when I saw him there.”
“I know.Keep your face down so they can’t get good pictures of you.”
She pressed her face into his chest as he walked her back to her vehicle.
He’d no sooner gotten her settled in the driver’s seat than a police officer approached them.
“Ma’am, I need you to step out of the vehicle.”
“Why?”
“We have numerous witnesses claiming you assaulted the man across the street, who’s bleeding from being hit by you.”
“He’s stalking me—and my kid!”
Carson handed the officer his card.“It’s true, Officer.I’ve been watching him all day.He’s been staking out her home and their son’s school.”
“So this is a custody matter?”the officer asked.
“No!”Cresley said.“I have full custody, and he’s trying to extort me for money.My attorney can confirm this.”
“I’ll need you to come with me while we sort this out.”
“I have to pick up my son!He’ll be out any second.”
“I’ll take him,” Carson said.“And I’ll call Julian.”
She looked at Carson and then at the school, where the children were now coming out to meet their parents and guardians.
Carson locked in on the gorgeous blue eyes that’d helped to make her a superstar.“I promise he’ll be safe with me.”
“I can’t be seen leaving with police.It’ll ruin me.”
“Can we follow you to the station, Officer?We’ll leave right from here.She’s a victim of a crime.You wouldn’t want to further victimize a woman who was defending her child from a stalker, would you?”
The young officer was clearly torn.
“Cresley, go get your son and get in the car.”
She took off while Carson kept his gaze trained on the officer.“The one you should be arresting is him.”Carson used his chin to gesture to Beckett, who was gleefully watching the scene with the cop unfold.Carson had no doubt that Beckett was the one who’d called the police in the first place.“He’s been following her all day.”
“That’s not a crime.”
