Page 40 of Passion
My mama’s mouth fell open. “Did she see anything?”
“No. She saw him on top of the woman and heard her screaming. She thought they were wrestling. He’d pulled the covers over them. Mama, I cursed his ass out through text and told him I was keeping my babies. I was reading his response when I walked in. What if the judge orders me to give them back to him? I can’t live without my babies! This past month was hard enough.”
“I know, baby. Just know that you will win in the end. Things always get harder before you reap the reward. Just don’t give up.”
“Can you talk to Kizzie about what she saw and make sure she’s okay?”
“Of course. I think she’s fine though. It’s you who I’m worried about. You look like you will snap any minute.”
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang. My mama said, “That must be Daniel. He said he was gonna stop by.”
She left the room, so I left out behind her. Before I could get back to Gentry, she called my name. I frowned and made my way to the front door where she was. When I got closer and saw the constable, I nearly lost my fucking mind. “I know you fucking lying! This nigga is really trying to take my kids!”
My mama grabbed my hand and pulled me to the door to sign the constable’s paperwork. My tears were freefalling. I dropped to my knees, not knowing what to do. My babies and Gentry came to the front, and he helped me from the floor. I felt like I was gonna pass out. My back was killing me. Gentry pulled me in his arms and said, “Take deep breaths, baby. Please. You scaring me. What’s going on?”
“Mommy, what’s wrong?”
Hearing Kizzie’s and Dakota’s cries forced me to try to compose myself. I said in a weak voice, “He filed for custody today.”
“On a Saturday?”
“Apparently, he knows people that could make that happen.”
“My frat brother is an attorney.”
“I’m gonna call my cousin, Shyrón. He and my soror, Skyler, will handle his ass.”
I stomped away from everyone and placed the call to Shy. While we were cousins, I wouldn’t say I knew him that well. We’d only been around each other three or four times in the past year, but I was mostly around Alexz and all their wives. I knew Jungle a lot better because that was Vegas’s best friend.
“Shyrón Berotte.”
“Hey, Shy. It’s Giselle.”
“What’s up, girl? Sound like you about to snap the way your voice trembling and shit.”
“I am. My children’s father filed for custody of my babies. I have to meet him and his attorney for an arbitration in two weeks. There’s so much shit going on that I don’t feel like repeating right now, but I need to know if you can be my attorney.”
“Hell yeah. You family, and I can’t stand a nigga that try to railroad a woman. This about you marrying Gentry?”
“That’s when it started, yeah, but I think there may be more to it. I honestly don’t think it has to do with Gentry directly.”
“A’ight. Take pictures of the documents and send them to me.”
“I’m at my parents’ house, so I can scan and email them.”
“Okay. Do that. Tell Uncle DS I said what’s up, and kiss Aunt Solé for me. When I go over that shit, I’m gonna call you back.”
“Okay. I just want this to be over. He’s threatening to find me and come get the kids.”
“He ain’t finna do that. If he does, I’ll be defending Gentry next if the vibe I caught from him was accurate.”
“It was definitely accurate if you think he’ll need you next. I’m about to scan the documents. What’s your email address?” I asked as I sat at my mama’s desk.
Once he sent the address, I emailed them to him and ended the call. I lowered my head to the desk, trying to figure out what the fuck was wrong with Clayton’s ass. “Mommy?”
I lifted my head to see my baby standing next to me. I picked her up and set her on my lap. “I’m so sorry for scaring you. Mommy is just really upset.”
“Who’s trying to take me and Kota from you?” she asked sadly.