Now she regretted not going to him. She didn’t think he’d push her away, but he seemed stand-offish since that first day. Maybe it was self-preservation on his part, or maybe he realized she was too young for him. Thinking about why he hadn’t asked her to share his bed puzzled her, too. That first night she thought he was just giving her space, but now she wasn’t so sure, and she worried he’d given up on her.
A slamming door from the front of the house quickly drew her attention, same as it had Dom and Case as they came running towards her. When she got up to go see who was there so they wouldn’t wake Jax, Dom shot her a “stay there” look.
So she sat.
And she waited.
For about ten seconds...
*****
Sliding around the side of the house, she waited to hear what was said before making her presence known.
“Good day, gentleman,” a man greeted.
“How can we help you?” Dom asked him with an abundance of attitude.
“Are either of you Dominic Slade?”
“Who wants to know?” Case snarled.
“Got some paperwork for him,” he announced like that answered their question.
“Your name?” Case snapped.
Peeking around the corner, she saw the man eyeing up Case’s prosthetic leg. A nasty light entered his eyes. She had to bite her lip to keep quiet and blast the man for his ignorance.
“Well, since I know Mr. Slade is whole, you clearly aren’t him.” He smirked like he’d won some stupid pissing match.
A bark of laughter escaped Case as he said to him, “Your name or you can leave? By force or will. Your choice, buddy.”
He flat out ignored Casey now. Looking to Dom, he said, “Look, Mr. Slade, I’m here on behalf of one Brooke Christine Cavalier in regards to one baby Cavalier.”
Oh, this isn’t gonna end well. Deciding to step in before Dom killed the man and went to prison, she walked out from her hiding spot announcing, “Sorry, sir, I’m Dom Slade. How can I help you? And it’s actual
ly Dominique.”
Case looked like he was going to implode from laughter. Dominic looked like he wanted to strangle her. And this man, well, he looked flat out confused.
“You’re Dom Slade?” he asked bewildered.
“’Tis what I said, yes.”
“Not him?” he asked pointing to Dom.
“Nope. All me. What did you say your name was?” she asked him sweetly.
“Christopher Malcolm. I am the attorney for Ms. Cavalier. She wants custody of her child back.” Still sounding perplexed.
“And yet she has no name for this child? Just Baby Cavalier?” His nod confirmed her thoughts. “Then perhaps this child is better off without her? Do you have children, Mr. Malcolm?”
“Yes, I have two.”
“How old?” she asked. Case’s head kept whipping back and forth between them like a bobble head. It was hard not to laugh.
“Three and nine,” he told her.
“Oh what wonderful ages. So inquisitive and thirsty for knowledge. It would be quite horrendous if someone were to rip them from their home at those ages. The effects it would have on their presumably peaceful lives would destroy their trust,” she told him. Hoping to appeal to his parental nature.