Page 74 of The Sacrifice
“Because I didn’t want Hadley to go to social services. And if I pushed for charges to be filed, she’d end up in state custody. Or at least until I was verified as her father. I didn’t want the threat of losing her. So I waited, and now, I’ve put a plan in motion to get her out of our lives for good.”
“And what happens after you do?”
Sadness weighs down on me like an endless blanket soaked in an ocean of water. “I don’t know. Mia wouldn’t listen to a word I said. She decided on her own what was right. My attorney even threw out the idea of getting married, but she tossed that back at me so quick, that I got whiplash. She still thinks of me like an immature kid.”
“That’s bullshit!” His harsh tone causes Hadley to whimper. He lowers his voice, “That’s complete and total bullshit. You know she’s doing this because she loves you and Hadley. She’s wanted a baby for years and can’t have one. The fact she’s giving everything up to make sure nothing happens to take your child away from you is selfless. And you’re acting like a spoiled, entitled prick. I hope she does leave and takes that nanny job with the cowboy on his massive ranch. You know what they say about cowboys with rough hands. They’re always carrying around an extra rope. They can ride horses into the sunset before he takes her home and–”
“You’re an asshole.” The image of his head shoved through my television screen is the only thing keeping him alive. It’s vivid and has a life of its own. If he opens his mouth again, it’s going to happen.
“And you’re a dick.” Damn it. He had to call my bluff. This is my best friend. I can’t beat the crap out of him. He marches past me and swings open the door. “Maybe she’s right. Maybe she is lucky to have ended things with you.”
Every ounce of my anger dissipates as hurt flows over me in waves. Wave after wave until I can’t catch my breath. “Did she say that?”
“What do you think?”
The front door slams, causing the picture frames of my niece and nephew to lurch forward and smack back against the sheetrock. Hadley’s cry breaks through the fog in my head. That’s what I get for running my mouth. Mia didn’t say I wasn’t mature enough for her.
Yes, she made a rash decision without hearing me out and thinking rationally about Roxanne’s case, but she did it on the advice of my attorney. And because she loves us. She’s a rule follower and a worrywart. Overthinking is what she does. And that’s part of the reason I love her.
I swipe Hadley from her playpen and cuddle her to my chest. When she lays her cheek against my T-shirt, my heart breaks. Mia gave up a lot for our family.
Truman, you’d better not let me down. I need everything tied up with a big red bow on top. Now.
And then I’m going to give Mia a piece of my mind for walking out. Even if I have to fly off into the sunset and snatch her from this asshole that knows how to tie a square knot. Fucker. I can learn how to tie a square knot. Or any other kind of knot. I rub Hadley’s back. “A cowboy doesn’t have anything on me, right baby?” I kiss her sweaty forehead. “I’ve got the winning card in my hand.”
She coos in response. “You and me. We’re the missing pieces to a full house. She’s going to say yes, and we’ll live happily ever after in our castle.”Fucking cowboys.“And if she needs a damn white horse, we’ll put it in a stable out back.”
Chapter Forty
One Week Later
Jackson
I pace the floor of Truman’s office from the leather sofa to his oversized desk, which is covered in paperwork. It’s a mess. How the guy finds anything is beyond me, but he’s the best. Over the last week, we’ve spent a lot of time getting to know each other while finalizing his team’s plan.
He’s professional, efficient, discreet, and experienced. After twenty years in the military, with over half of those as a SEAL, he’s my best bet to get this over and done with–quick.
And if I want Mia back in my bed, the situation needs to be resolved today. The thought of her leaving town beats in my chest like an Edgar Allan Poe short story. It’s been seven days since I’ve seen her. Hadley cries herself to sleep every night. Whether it’s because she misses Mia or she senses my pain, I have no idea.
Not that it matters. She’s out of sorts, and I’m depressed. The plan to get Roxanne out of the picture took longer than any of us thought.
I shove my hands into my pockets. Did I make the right decision? Should I have just called Roxanne? Would she have listened to reason?
Reason? No. She would’ve listened for money. But there’s no reason to hand money over to someone who wouldn’t win a case in court.
“Dude. You’re going to wear a hole in my floor.”
I stop in mid-step and glare at him. “Seriously? This is my entire future here.”
“I understand you’re anxious, but Cade is good. He’ll have her signature in under thirty minutes.”
Thirty minutes? I’m not going to survive another thirty minutes. Cade and Lola flew to Vegas this morning with the intent of cornering her and getting her to sign the termination paperwork.
Let’s hope it doesn’t blow up in our faces.
Truman chuckles, making me shudder. We’re alone in the room, but he’s got Lola and Cade talking to him in his earpiece. It’s creepy as shit. “Cade says fifteen minutes.”
“Let’s hope he’s right.” I pull my cellphone out of my back pocket. Nothing. No word from Mia. The least she could do is send me a message telling me she misses me.