Standing His Ground: Greer (Porter Brothers Trilogy 2)

“Fuck if they aren’t. You’re reading the letters from that son of a bitch who tried to kidnap my nephew?” Greer reached inside the drawer, shoving her hand aside and snatching the letters. He waved them in her face. “You swore to all of us that you haven’t talked to Mitch since he was arrested. I knew you were a fucking liar.”

6

Horrified, Holly couldn’t defend herself against Greer’s angry outburst. Thankfully, Diamond didn’t have the same problem.

“How dare you?” Diamond jerked the letters away from him. “And you wonder why Holly didn’t mention them to you or your brothers? Because you wouldn’t give her time to explain! She’s right; it isn’t any of your business, but I know you won’t let it go and will make her miserable when she comes home, so I’ll tell you. She kept them, because Mitch has written her to apologize numerous times. The man actually cares about her and regrets what happened. Holly hasn’t responded once to the letters he sent her. I’m the one who told her to keep them, so if he does come back to town, I can use them to get a restraining order against him. I don’t think it will be necessary, but unlike you, I’m watching her back.”

Holly felt no sympathy for Greer as his face paled.

Diamond was so furious she didn’t give Greer time to say anything. The lawyer in her cut his masculine pride to shreds. “Mitch was wrong when he held a gun on me to find the information for Sam, but I was the one he held the gun to, not you. I forgave him a long time ago when he asked to see me after his trail. He truly regretted his crime, unlike you when you tossed my office and nearly shot me the night I confronted Dustin.

“Mitch has served his time, and he deserves his parole. You, on the other hand, have never been held responsible for being such a jackass. And if you don’t get out of my office now, I’m going to call Knox and get him to arrest you for trespassing. And this time, I won’t be the one representing you, so you’ll be in jail until hell freezes over.”

“I’ll leave your keys under your car mat.” Greer abruptly left the women.

Holly started to say something, but Diamond’s hand on her arm stopped her.

“Don’t you think about it.”

Holly frowned at Diamond’s penetrating glare.

“I know you. You tell yourself it’s all right that he acts like a judgmental idiot. You couldn’t be mean if you had to. But I’m not going to watch you let him off the hook. You’re too nice to him. You’re too nice to everyone.”

“He doesn’t mean half the things he says,” Holly tried to excuse him, avoiding Diamond’s scornful expression.

“Even if Greer means half of what he says to you, it’s too much. You don’t deserve to be treated like that by him.” She went from angry to curious. “Why do you put up with it?”

Holly picked up the letters Diamond had thrown down on her desk. “Logan. He’s all I have.”

“No, he’s not. You have me and Knox, Tate and Dustin. Do you think any of us would let Greer keep you away from Logan?”

Holly let her see the real fear that she lived with every time Greer made the threat. “I can’t lose him, Diamond. Logan is my son. I might not have carried him in my body, but he is of my heart. I’m the one who walked the floor with him when he had colic. I’m the one who kept trying to find doctors to see why he was sick. I’m the one who rocked him to sleep every night … I can’t lose him.” Holly broke off in a heartfelt sob.

Diamond pulled her close in a comforting hug. “You’re Logan’s mother; no one doubts that. Dustin knows that, too, right?”

Holly nodded in agreement.

“Then you don’t have to worry. Dustin is his legal guardian, so it doesn’t matter what Greer says or does. Even if they decide not to let you see Logan, the courts would give you visitation—I’d see to that. When Logan screws up, do you expect him to keep apologizing after you forgive him? It’s time you realize we love you the same way. The only one who can’t forgive who counts is you. Until you do, Greer will pick on you like a scab on a wound that’s already healed.”

Diamond was right. It was like a heavy weight had been taken off her chest from the constant fear of losing her son.

“I’ve always felt so bad about what Mitch and I did. It just seems I can’t make up for what happened. You didn’t have to help me. Anyone else would have pressed charges against me …”

“Holly …” Diamond became as tearful as her. “I’ve told you a thousand times that I forgive you. You’re my bestest friend in the world. If the zombies take over, you and Logan will be with Knox and me on our island. I haven’t even made that offer to my own sister.”