Page 29 of Protecting Christina

I moved to sit next to Faye on the couch and read through the legal jargon with her and explained what it all meant. She listened carefully and asked smart questions. I reassured her that I would not allow anything to happen to her or her kids. That I would fight in her corner until the matter was settled to her satisfaction. Tears welled in her eyes, and mine got a little misty as well.

I’d been so caught up speaking to Faye that I hadn’t noticed Will was no longer in his chair. So, when he called from the window, I was surprised to see him there.

“What is it?” I asked.

He pulled back the curtain from the front window and frowned. “We have company.”

7

Christina

Faye stiffened next to me. I watched Will for any sign that perhaps the situation had changed. His hand disappeared inside one of the pockets of his cargo pants. I assumed he was checking for a weapon and I felt relieved, knowing he’d come prepared.

“What do you want us to do?”

“We can say we’re parents at one of your kids’ schools just dropping by,” he suggested.

Faye shook her head. “I don’t think he’ll believe that.”

I squeezed her hand. “We have to make him believe it.”

Will let the curtain fall back. “He’s coming in. Faye, go to the kitchen and prepare some drinks.”

I wrapped an arm around Faye’s shoulder and whispered, “You can do this.” Then, catching the etches along Will’s brow, I added, “Go. Now.”

“He’s at the door,” Will said and sat down beside me on the couch. He lifted an ankle over his knee and put his arm over my shoulder, resting it on the couch. His relaxed posture eased my concern a bit, but my heart raced in my chest.

A moment later, a man with a short-trimmed beard and navy suit walked in. He looked like any one of the lawyers at my firm.

He didn’t bother hiding his annoyance at finding us in his living room. “Who are you?”

Will stood up and stretched out his hand. “Will Nash, and this is my wife, Chrissy. Our kids go to school together.”

Faye’s husband shook his hand reluctantly. “Where’s my wife?”

“She’s in the kitchen getting us a drink.”

He dropped Will’s hand and moved toward the kitchen, but Will stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“I see you have a chessboard set up. I haven’t played in years.”

“I’m not playing chess with you.” He pulled away from Will and marched into the kitchen.

Seconds later, his angry shouts were clear from the living room. “Why the fuck would you invite them here at eight o’clock at night?”

“It was the only free time when the kids were asleep.”

“Are you serious, Faye? You can’t invite people here without telling me first.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m your fucking husband.”

“Well, they’re here now. So, let’s just be polite.”

“No. You’re getting rid of them.”

“No.”

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